The fleas in Lithuania: the diversity and vector-borne pathogens

Abstract

Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are common ectoparasites of mammals and birds in different habitats throughout the world. Currently, 16 families with 246 genera and about 2500 species of fleas are known in the world. Only five flea families occurring on birds and all other species parasitize mammals. Flea-borne pathogens (for example Rickettsia sp., Bartonella sp., Yersinia sp.) are widely distributed over the world in endemic-disease foci, and these diseases could acquire an epidemic form due to changes in vector- host ecology. Human susceptibility to zoonotic infection is not clear due to changes in climatic conditions, increased human migration and animal transportation. Furthermore, due to the rapid development of international relations the threat of an infection being carried to another country remains. In this study, we investigated the diversity of fleas from different hosts and flea-borne pathogens in Lithuania. A total 13 fleas species were identified: Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, Ct. assimilis, Ct. uncinatus, Ceratophyllus sciurorum, Ctenocephalides felis, C. canis, Hystrichopsylla talpae, H. orientalis, Megabothris turbidus, M. walker, Palaeopsylla soricis, Peromyscopsylla bidentate, Nosopsyllus fasciatus. We used real-time PCR, nested-PCR, multiplex PCR and vector-borne bacteria flow chip for different pathogens detection. Genus of Bartonella, Rickettsia and Borrelia were detected. Pathogens found in fleas are causing zoonoses (Bartonella grahamii, B. rochalimae, B. henselae, B. clarridgeiae, B. washoensis, Rickettsia helvetica, R. felis, R. monacensis).