The molecular identity of fleas (Siphonaptera) carrying Rickettsia felis, Bartonella clarridgeiae and Bartonella rochalimae from dogs and cats in Northern Laos

Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) are the most commonly recognised ectoparasites of domestic pets globally and are frequently implicated in the transmission of a variety of zoonotic vector-borne pathogens. The aim of the present study was to investigate the morphological and molecular identity of fleas parasitising cats and dogs in Northern Laos and screen them for a range of bacterial pathogens. Fleas (n = 120) were collected from dogs and cats and morphologically identified as Ctenocephalides felis (115/120), Ctenocephalides orientis (4/120) and Pulex irritans (1/120). Molecular barcoding using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (cox1) was used to confirmed species identity of 21 selected fleas. The cat flea (C. felis) was the most dominant flea identified. Rickettsia and Bartonella spp. DNA was detected in 21/21 and 7/21 samples, respectively, via a multiplex real-time PCR targeting gltA and ssrA. Sequencing of the seven Bartonella-positive samples and ten Rickettsia-positive samples revealed Bartonella clarridgeiae, Bartonella rochalimae, Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia sp. genotype RF2125 DNA. Anaplasma platys DNA was detected in a single C. felis after 20 of the 21 DNA samples were screened using a commercial PCR panel for vector-borne pathogens. The detection of a range of bacterial pathogens in fleas from owned cats and dogs in Northern Laos provides further evidence to the importance of these ectoparasites as vectors of zoonotic diseases in the region.