Molecular and serological evidence of flea-associated typhus group and spotted fever group rickettsial infections in Madagascar
International audience Background: Rickettsiae are obligate intracellular bacteria responsible for many febrile syndromes around the world,including in sub-Saharan Africa. Vectors of these pathogens include ticks, lice, mites and fleas. In order to assessexposure to flea-associated Rickettsia specie...
Published in: | Parasites & Vectors |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
Other Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
HAL CCSD
2017
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://riip.hal.science/pasteur-01652154 https://riip.hal.science/pasteur-01652154/document https://riip.hal.science/pasteur-01652154/file/molecular_serological%20evidence%20of%20flea-associated%20typhus_Rakotonanaharyetal.pdf https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-017-2061-4 |
Summary: | International audience Background: Rickettsiae are obligate intracellular bacteria responsible for many febrile syndromes around the world,including in sub-Saharan Africa. Vectors of these pathogens include ticks, lice, mites and fleas. In order to assessexposure to flea-associated Rickettsia species in Madagascar, human and small mammal samples from an urbanand a rural area, and their associated fleas were tested.Results: Anti-typhus group (TGR)- and anti-spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR)-specific IgG were detected in24 (39%) and 21 (34%) of 62 human serum samples, respectively, using indirect ELISAs, with six individuals seropositivefor both. Only two (2%) Rattus rattus out of 86 small mammals presented antibodies against TGR. Out of 117fleas collected from small mammals, Rickettsia typhi, a TGR, was detected in 26 Xenopsylla cheopis (24%) collected fromrodents of an urban area (n = 107), while two of these urban X. cheopis (2%) were positive for Rickettsia felis, a SFGR. R.felis DNA was also detected in eight (31%) out of 26 Pulex irritans fleas.Conclusions: The general population in Madagascar are exposed to rickettsiae, and two flea-associated Rickettsiapathogens, R. typhi and R. felis, are present near or in homes. Although our results are from a single district, theydemonstrate that rickettsiae should be considered as potential agents of undifferentiated fever in Madagascar. |
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