Survey for Rickettsiae Within Fleas of Great Gerbils, Almaty Oblast, Kazakhstan

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2017 Mar;17(3):172-178. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2049. Epub 2016 Dec 19.

Abstract

Little is known of the endemicity of flea-borne rickettsiae in Kazakhstan. Thus, a survey for rickettsiae within great gerbil fleas was conducted in Almaty oblast. High prevalence of Rickettsia asembonensis was detected among Xenopsylla gerbilli, demonstrating that flea-borne rickettsiae are endemic to southeastern Kazakhstan. Interestingly, no Rickettsia typhi were detected in these same fleas.

Keywords: Kazakhstan; Rickettsia asembonensis; Rickettsia felis; Xenopsylla gerbilli; flea-borne rickettsiae; great gerbil.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Flea Infestations / epidemiology
  • Flea Infestations / parasitology
  • Flea Infestations / veterinary*
  • Gerbillinae / parasitology*
  • Kazakhstan
  • Rickettsia / isolation & purification*
  • Xenopsylla / microbiology*
  • Zoonoses