Molecular detection and identification of Rickettsia felis in Polygenis (Siphonaptera, Rhopalopsyllidae, Rhopalopsyllinae) associated with cricetid rodents in a rural area from central Argentina

MELIS, MAURICIO; ESPINOZA-CARNIGLIA, MARIO; SAVCHENKO, EKATERINA; NAVA, SANTIAGO; LARESCHI, MARCELA

Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports

Elsevier

Año: 2020 vol. 21

2405-9390

The aim of this study was to detect and identify the presence of Rickettsia in fleas associated with cricetid rodentsfrom northeastern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Sixteen fleas belonging to three species of Polygenis werecollected from 56 cricetid rodents and analyzed for the presence of Rickettsia performing the conventionalpolymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Only one specimen of Polygenis (Polygenis) axius axius collected fromOxymycterus rufus was positive for Rickettsia felis using the gltA gene, and to ompA gene. This is the first report ofR. felis in a Rhopalopsyllidae flea from Argentina, and the first detection of this bacterium in P. (P.) a. axius.Since both, O. rufus and P. (P.) a. axius, are common in areas close to humans, and enzootic cycle of R. felis is notfully understood, the results herein obtained might be of epidemiological importance. Further studies are neededin order to analyze the capacity of the species of Polygenis to transmit R. felis.