Molecular Detection of Rickettsia felis, Bartonella henselae, and B. clarridgeiae in Fleas from Domestic Dogs and Cats in Malaysia

Aida Syafinaz Mokhtar Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Sun Tee Tay Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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The presence of Rickettsia felis, Bartonella henselae and B. clarridgeiae in 209 fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) obtained from domestic cats and dogs in several locations in Malaysia was investigated in this study. Using a polymerase chain reaction specific for the citrate synthase (gltA) and 17-kD antigenic protein (17kD) genes of rickettsiae, we detected R. felis DNA in 6 (2.9%) fleas. For detection of bartonellae, amplification of the heme-binding protein (pap31) and riboflavin synthase (ribC) genes identified B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae DNA in 24 (11.5%) and 40 (19.1%) fleas, respectively. The DNA of B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae was detected in 10 (4.8%) fleas. Two B. henselae genogroups (Marseille and Houston-1) were detected in this study; genogroup Marseille (genotype Fizz) was found more often in the fleas. The findings in this study suggest fleas as potential vectors of rickettsioses and cat-scratch disease in this country.

Author Notes

*Address correspondence to Sun Tee Tay, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. E-mail: tayst@um.edu.my

Financial support: This study was supported by research grants (FP012/2006A and PS256/2010A) provided by University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Authors' address: Aida Syafinaz Mokhtar and Sun Tee Tay, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, E-mails: aidasyafinaz@hotmail.com and tayst@um.edu.my.

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