Investigation of pathogens in fleas from Lithuania

Abstract

Fleas are one of the arthropod vectors for several infectious disease causing agents. In this study we detect pathogens in fleas (Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, Megabothris turbidus, M. walkeri, Hystrichopsylla talpae, and Ceratophyllus sciurorum) collected from rodents (Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus flavicollis, Myodes glareolus, Microtus agrestis, Microtus arvalis, Sciurus vulgaris) by molecular methods. The prevalence of B. burgdorferi s. l. infection in rodent and 237 fleas samples was determined by polymerase chain reaction using primers SL-F and SL-R. The prevalence of Rickettsiales pathogens infection in fleas samples was determined by polymerase chain reaction using 16s rRNR gene primers EHR521 and EHR747. For the first time pathogens of Rickettsiales order were detected in fleas from Lithuania using 16s rRNR gene.