Altitude-dependent Bartonella quintana genotype C in head lice, Ethiopia

Emerg Infect Dis. 2011 Dec;17(12):2357-9. doi: 10.3201/eid1712.110453.

Abstract

To determine the presence of Bartonella quintana in head and body lice from persons in different locations in Ethiopia, we used molecular methods. B. quintana was found in 19 (7%) genotype C head lice and in 76 (18%) genotype A body lice. B. quintana in head lice was positively linked to altitude (p = 0.014).

MeSH terms

  • Altitude
  • Animals
  • Bartonella quintana / classification
  • Bartonella quintana / genetics*
  • Bartonella quintana / isolation & purification*
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / epidemiology
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / transmission
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / microbiology
  • Lice Infestations / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Pediculus / microbiology*
  • Phylogeny
  • Trench Fever / epidemiology
  • Trench Fever / transmission