Molecular evidence of Rickettsia felis infection in dogs from Northern Territory, Australia

Parasit Vectors. 2011 Oct 11:4:198. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-198.

Abstract

The prevalence of spotted fever group rickettsial infection in dogs from a remote indigenous community in the Northern Territory (NT) was determined using molecular tools. Blood samples collected from 130 dogs in the community of Maningrida were subjected to a spotted fever group (SFG)-specific PCR targeting the ompB gene followed by a Rickettsia felis-specific PCR targeting the gltA gene of R. felis. Rickettsia felis ompB and gltA genes were amplified from the blood of 3 dogs. This study is the first report of R. felis infection in indigenous community dogs in NT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / microbiology*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Insect Vectors / microbiology
  • Male
  • Northern Territory / epidemiology
  • Rickettsia Infections / diagnosis
  • Rickettsia Infections / epidemiology
  • Rickettsia Infections / microbiology
  • Rickettsia Infections / veterinary*
  • Rickettsia felis / genetics*
  • Rickettsia felis / isolation & purification*
  • Rickettsia felis / physiology
  • Siphonaptera / microbiology

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins