Identification of Rickettsiaspp. and Bartonellaspp. in Fleas from the Thai-Myanmar Border

During a survey for possible rickettsial vectors in villages of the central part of the Thai-Myanmar border from September 2001 to February 2002, four species of fleas were collected from common peridomestic animals. All fleas were tested by PCR to detect DNA of bacteria of the genera Rickettsia(gltA and ompB genes) and Bartonella(ITSand ftsZ genes). Sequencing of PCR-amplified products was done using gltA fragments for Rickettsiaand ftsZ fragments for Bartonella. Two genotypes related to Rickettsia feliswere identified in three Ctenocephalides canisand one C. felisspecimen. Further, the following Bartonellaspp. were detected: Bartonella henselaein two C. felisspecimens; Bartonella clarridgeiaein three C. felisspecimens; and a new Bartonellagenotype in one Nosopsylla fasciatusspecimen. Rickettsiaand Bartonellamay be frequently detected in fleas infesting peridomestic animals from the western border of Thailand.