Cross-sectional study of Bartonella, Rickettsia and Wolbachia by molecular method in Fleas Ctenocephalides canis and Pulex irritans from the West and Northwest of Iran

Abstract

Background & objectives: Fleas are clinically important parasites for affecting human health. These insects are carriers of some pathogens such as Yersinia pestis, Rickettsia typhi, Q fever, Tularemia and Bartonella henselae which are infectious for humans and animals. The aim of this cross–sectional study was to detection of Rickettsia, Bartonella and Wolbachia pathogens in infected Ctenocephalides canis and Pulex irritans using a molecular method in the West and Northwest of Iran. Methods: The present study is a descriptive, cross-sectional study (prevalence rate=10%, confidence level=95%, error rate=5%) performed on samples collected from five provinces including Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Azerbaijan Western, Lorestan and Hamedan for 13 months from May 2018 to June 2019. In this study, samples were collected by optical trap, human prey and direct isolation of the sample from the host and identified in the parasitology laboratory using valid diagnostic keys. The prevalence of Rickettsia, Bartonella and Wolbachia in the collected samples was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplification and sequencing of gltA, pap31 and 16SrRNA genes were used for molecular diagnosis of Rickettsia, Bartonella, and Wolbachia respectively. Results: The collected samples included 918 (47.39%) fleas of C.canis and 1019 (52.60%) fleas of P.irritant. The PCR products of each gene were subject to sequencing. In this study, 12.9%, 5.21% and 5.21% of fleas were positive for Wolbachia, Rickettsia and Bartonella, respectively . Conclusion: Bartonella, Rickettsia and Welbachia are vector borne infectious agent. Due to their high pathogenicity and easily transmission among insect and human, monitoring of insects is essential for the controlling of the infection and preserving the public health in endemic area.