Prevalence of human pathogens in cat and dog fleas in New Zealand.

Objective: To provide further information on the prevalence of Rickettsia felis, Bartonella hensela, and B. clarridgeiae in cat and dog fleas in New Zealand and their distribution in the country.

Methods: We used PCR and sequencing with primers for the its and pap 31 (for Bartonella spp.), and the gltA and OmpB (for Rickettsia spp.) genes on DNA from fleas collected from dogs and cats presenting to 3 widely separated veterinary practices on the North Island.

Results: DNA of R. felis (19%), B. henselae (11%), and B. clarridgeiae (7%) was found in the 114 cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) we studied. The DNA of both B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae was found in 3 fleas (from 2 animals); B. clarridgeiae and R. felis in 1 flea; B. henselae and R. felis in 5 fleas (from 3 animals); and R. felis, B. henselae, and B. clarridgeiae in 2 fleas (from 1 animal). No amplicons were obtained from 3 dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis).

Conclusions: The emerging human pathogens, R. felis, B. henselae, and B. clarridgeiae, are prevalent and widely distributed in cat fleas in the North Island of New Zealand.