Prevalence of Bartonella species, haemoplasma species, Ehrlichia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Neorickettsia risticii DNA in the blood of cats and their fleas in the United States

Michael R Lappin; Brenda Griffin; Jane Brunt; Allen Riley; Derek Burney; Jennifer Hawley; Melissa M Brewer; Wayne A Jensen

doi:10.1016/j.jfms.2005.08.003

Prevalence of Bartonella species, haemoplasma species, Ehrlichia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Neorickettsia risticii DNA in the blood of cats and their fleas in the United States

J Feline Med Surg. 2006 Apr;8(2):85-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2005.08.003. Epub 2005 Nov 14.

Authors

Michael R Lappin¹, Brenda Griffin, Jane Brunt, Allen Riley, Derek Burney, Jennifer Hawley, Melissa M Brewer, Wayne A Jensen

Affiliation

¹ Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 80523, USA. mlappin@lamar.colostate.edu

PMID: 16290092
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfms.2005.08.003

Abstract

Ctenocephalides felis were killed and collected from 92 cats in Alabama, Maryland, and Texas. The fleas and blood from the corresponding cat were digested and assessed in polymerase chain reaction assays that amplify DNA of Ehrlichia species, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neorickettsia risticii, Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus M haemominutum' and Bartonella species. DNA consistent with B henselae, B clarridgeiae, M haemofelis, or 'Candidatus M haemominutum' was commonly amplified from cats (60.9%) and their fleas (65.2%). Results of this study support the recommendation to maintain flea control on cats in endemic areas.

MeSH terms

Alabama / epidemiology
Anaplasma phagocytophilum / isolation & purification
Anaplasmataceae Infections / veterinary
Animals
Bartonella / isolation & purification
Bartonella Infections / veterinary
Cat Diseases / epidemiology*
Cat Diseases / microbiology*
Cat Diseases / parasitology
Cats
DNA, Bacterial / analysis
Disease Reservoirs / veterinary*
Ehrlichia / isolation & purification
Female
Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / epidemiology
Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / transmission
Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / veterinary*
Insect Vectors / microbiology*
Male
Maryland / epidemiology
Mycoplasma / isolation & purification
Mycoplasma Infections / veterinary
Neorickettsia risticii / isolation & purification
Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
Siphonaptera / microbiology*
Texas / epidemiology
United States / epidemiology

Substances

DNA, Bacterial