Zoonotic Bacteria in Fleas Parasitizing Common Voles, Northwestern Spain

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

• flea- and rodent-borne diseases, vector, ectoparasite, transmission routes, small rodents
• Microtus arvalis, vector-borne infections, bacteria, zoonoses, Spain, parasites, Francisella tularensis, Bartonella spp
• flea-borne diseases
• rodent-borne diseases
• vector
• ectoparasites