J Vector Ecol. 2005 Dec;30(2):310-5.

Bartonella and rickettsia in fleas and lice from mammals in South
Carolina, U.S.A.

Reeves WK, Nelder MP, Korecki JA.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Viral and Rickettsial
Zoonoses Branch, Mailstop G-13, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30333,
USA.

Species in the genera Bartonella and Rickettsia are vector-borne
pathogens of humans and domestic animals. The natural reservoirs and
enzootic transmission cycles of these bacteria are poorly known in
South
Carolina. Thir{*filter*} species of lice and fleas were collected from urban
animals and screened for the presence of Bartonella and Rickettsia by
PCR amplification using genus-specific primers. Bartonella henselae was

present in cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) from {*filter*}ia opossums
(Didelphis {*filter*}iana) and a novel genotype of Bartonella was detected
in Orchopeas howardi from an eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus
carolinensis). We detected R. typhi and three novel genotypes
Rickettsia
in other species of fleas and lice. Rickettsia typhi, the causative
agent of murine typhus, was detected in two pools of lice
(Enderleinellus marmotae) from the woodchuck (Marmota monax). Cat fleas

harbored one of two novel genotypes of Rickettsia. A third novel
Rickettsia was detected in Orchopeas howardi from an eastern gray
squirrel.

PMID: 16599169 [PubMed - in process]