Detection of Zoonotic Bartonella Pathogens in Rabbit Fleas, Colorado, USA

Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Apr;26(4):778-781. doi: 10.3201/eid2604.191161.

Abstract

We detected 3 Bartonella species in wild rabbit fleas from Colorado, USA: B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii (n = 16), B. alsatica (n = 5), and B. rochalimae (n = 1). Our results support the establishment of the zoonotic agent B. alsatica in North America.

Keywords: Bartonella; Colorado; Siphonaptera; United States; bacteria; disease ecology; lagomorpha; rabbit fleas; vector-borne infections; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bartonella Infections* / epidemiology
  • Bartonella Infections* / veterinary
  • Bartonella* / genetics
  • Colorado / epidemiology
  • North America
  • Rabbits
  • Siphonaptera*