Bartonella, Blechomonas and Trypanosoma in fleas from the long-tailed ground squirrel (Spermophilus undulatus) in northwestern China

Xiaoshuang Han; Shanshan Zhao; Ziheng Liu; Yujiang Zhang; Guoyu Zhao; Chunju Zhang; Lijuan Tang; Lin Cui; Yuanzhi Wang

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife (Aug 2024)

Bartonella, Blechomonas and Trypanosoma in fleas from the long-tailed ground squirrel (Spermophilus undulatus) in northwestern China

Xiaoshuang Han,
Shanshan Zhao,
Ziheng Liu,
Yujiang Zhang,
Guoyu Zhao,
Chunju Zhang,
Lijuan Tang,
Lin Cui,
Yuanzhi Wang

Affiliations

Xiaoshuang Han: Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Central Asia High Incidence Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China
Shanshan Zhao: Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Central Asia High Incidence Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China
Ziheng Liu: Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Central Asia High Incidence Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China
Yujiang Zhang: Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, People's Republic of China
Guoyu Zhao: Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, People's Republic of China
Chunju Zhang: Tumushuk City Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 Qianhai East Street, Tumushuk City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 843806, People's Republic of China
Lijuan Tang: Bayingol Vocational and Technical College, People's Republic of China
Lin Cui: Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Central Asia High Incidence Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China; Corresponding author.
Yuanzhi Wang: Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China; NHC Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Central Asia High Incidence Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 832002, People's Republic of China; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 24
p. 100958

Abstract

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Fleas are known to be vectors for a variety of pathogens in veterinary medicine. However, no information is available on the presence of Bartonella and Trypanosomatidae in fleas of the long-tailed ground squirrel (LTGR, Spermophilus undulatus). The present study shows detection of these pathogens in LTGR fleas. During 2022–2023, a total of 396 fleas were collected from 91 LTGRs in 4 alpine regions of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (northwestern China) and grouped into 54 flea pools. Flea species were identified according to morphological characteristics and molecular data. In addition, all flea samples were analyzed for Bartonella with amplification and sequencing of a 380-bp part of the gltA gene and Trypanosomatidae with targeting the 18S rRNA (850-bp) and gGAPDH (820-bp) genes. The flea species included Frontopsylla elatoides elatoides (203), Neopsylla mana (49), and Citellophilus tesquorum dzetysuensis (144). Of 54 flea pools, seven (12.96%) tested positive for Bartonella, and three (5.56%) were positive for Trypanosomatidae. Based on BLASTn and phylogenetic analyses, i) Bartonella washoensis in F. elatoides elatoides and C. tesquorum dzetysuensis, and Bartonella rochalimae in F. elatoides elatoides were identified. Interestingly, a new haplotype within the species Ba. washoensis was discovered in C. tesquorum dzetysuensis; and ii) Blechomonas luni was confirmed in C. tesquorum dzetysuensis and Trypanosoma otospermophili in F. elatoides elatoides. Two Bartonella species and two Trypanosomatidae members were discovered for the first time in fleas from LTGRs. This study broadens our understanding of the geographic distribution and potential vectors for Bartonella and Trypanosomatidae.

Published in International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

ISSN: 2213-2244 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Zoology
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-for-parasitology-parasites-and-wildlife/

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