Role of Hippoboscidae flies as potential vectors of Bartonella spp. infecting wild and domestic ruminants

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2004 Oct;70(10):6302-5. doi: 10.1128/AEM.70.10.6302-6305.2004.

Abstract

The putative role of biting flies in Bartonella transmission among ruminants was investigated. Amplification of the Bartonella citrate synthase gene from 83 Hippoboscidae was detected in 94% of 48 adult Lipoptena cervi flies, 71% of 17 adult Hippobosca equina flies, 100% of 20 adult Melophagus ovinus flies, and 100% of 10 M. ovinus pupae. Our findings suggest that Hippoboscidae play a role in the transmission of Bartonella among ruminants. The vertical transmission of Bartonella in M. ovinus and the presence of Bartonella DNA in all samples suggest a symbiotic association between Bartonella and M. ovinus.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic
  • Animals, Wild
  • Bartonella / enzymology
  • Bartonella / genetics
  • Bartonella / isolation & purification*
  • Bartonella / pathogenicity*
  • Bartonella Infections / transmission
  • Bartonella Infections / veterinary*
  • Citrate (si)-Synthase / genetics
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Bacterial / isolation & purification
  • Diptera / microbiology*
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Insect Vectors
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Ruminants / microbiology*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Citrate (si)-Synthase