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J Parasit Dis Diagn Ther 2017 | Volume 2 Issue 4
International Conference on
Zoology, Microbiology & Medical Parasitology
October 30-November 01, 2017 | Chicago, USA
Prevalence and diversity of
Bartonella species
in ectoparasites fromwild-caught rodents and domestic
animals in the Northern and Northeastern regions of Thailand
Ratree Takhampunya
Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Thailand
E
ctoparasites are thought to be the important vectors
of Bartonella transmission among animals, including
humans. The Bartonella prevalence and species diversity in
several types of ectoparasites (ticks, fleas, chiggers, and lice)
collected from rodents and domestic animals (cats, dogs,
cattle, and chickens) were investigated in this study. The
surveillance study was conducted in 2 regions, 4 provinces;
2 provinces from the Northern region (Nan and Mae Hong
Son) and 2 provinces from the Northeastern region (Loei
and Nong Bua Lam Phu) during September 2013 to October
2014. Overall, a total of 539 pooled ectoparasites (102 fleas
pools, 80 ticks pools, 6 lice pools, and 351 chiggers pools)
were collected from wild-caught rodents and a total of 650
pooled ectoparasites (384 fleas pools, 213 ticks pools and
53 lice pools) were collected form domestic animals. Real-
time PCR assay with TaqMan probe targeting Bartonella-
specific ssrA gene was used for Bartonella DNA detection.
Amplification of Bartonella gltA gene was confirmed using
published primers, CS443f and CS1210r. Fleas were the
major ectoparasites collected from domestic animals
(59.0%), followed by ticks (32.8%), and lice (8.2%). Chiggers
were the most common ectoparasites collected from
rodents (65.1%), followed by fleas (18.9%), ticks (14.9%) and
lice (1.1%). Bartonella DNA was detected in all ectoparasites
types. Among ectoparasites collected from rodents, the
highest prevalence of Bartonella DNA was found in fleas
pools (24.5%, 25/102), then in lice pools (16.7%, 1/6) and
ticks pools (12.5%, 10/80), respectively. However, low
prevalence of Bartonella DNA was found in chiggers pools
(2.8%, 10/351). Likewise, high prevalence of Bartonella
DNA was also found in fleas pools collected from domestic
animals (14.1%, 54/381), while low prevalence was found
in lice pools (5.7%, 3/53) and tick pools (6.6%, 14/213).
Phylogenetic analysis of Bartonella gltA sequences (638 bp)
presented the diverse range of Bartonella species found in
ectoparasites collected from rodents including 4 Bartonella
species in B. elizabethae species complex (B. elizabethae,
B. tribocorum B. rattimassiliensis, and B. queenslandensis),
B. rochalimae and Candidatus B. thailandensis. However,
only 2 species (B. clarridgeiae and B. tamiae) was detected
in ectoparasites collected from domestic animals. Our data
showed an important role of ectoparasites as potential
vectors for Bartonella transmission among rodents and
domestic animals residing in close association with humans.
Speaker Biography
Ratree Takhampunya is currently working as an Research Associate in the Armed Forces
Research Institute of Medical Sciences-U.S. Army Medical Directorate in Thailand.
e:
Ratreet.fsn@afrims.org