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. 2019 Jul;25(7):1423-1425.
doi: 10.3201/eid2507.181646.

Zoonotic Bacteria in Fleas Parasitizing Common Voles, Northwestern Spain

Ruth Rodríguez-Pastor, François Mougeot, Mª Dolors Vidal, Isabel Jado, Rosa M González-Martín-Niño, Raquel Escudero, Juan José Luque-Larena

Zoonotic Bacteria in Fleas Parasitizing Common Voles, Northwestern Spain

Ruth Rodríguez-Pastor et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Jul.

Abstract

We detected Francisella tularensis and Bartonella spp. in fleas parasitizing common voles (Microtus arvalis) from northwestern Spain; mean prevalence was 6.1% for F. tularensis and 51% for Bartonella spp. Contrasted vector-host associations in the prevalence of these bacteria suggest that fleas have distinct roles in the transmission cycle of each pathogen in nature.

Keywords: Bartonella spp; Francisella tularensis; Microtus arvalis; Spain; bacteria; ectoparasites; flea-borne diseases; parasites; rodent-borne diseases; small rodents; transmission routes; vector; vector-borne infections; zoonoses.

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References

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