title: Molecular detection of rickettsial agents in ticks and fleas collected from a European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Marseilles, France.
abstract: The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is a synanthropic nocturnal insectivore commonly found in the countryside and in the parks and gardens. Because hedgehogs are already involved in the transmission of a number of zoonoses, including salmonellosis and ringworm, we decided to study their possible role in the epidemiology of the spotted fever group of Rickettsia. We collected ticks and fleas from a hedgehog that was captured in the city of Marseilles in France. Using a genus-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis followed by a species-specific qPCR analysis for positive samples, we observed that 91.7% (11/12) of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks were positive for Rickettsia massiliae and 99.2% (128/129) of the Archaeopsylla erinacei fleas were positive for Rickettsia felis. Hedgehogs carry infected ectoparasites and then likely ensure the dissemination of spotted fever group Rickettsiae, and their epidemiological role requires further investigation.
authors.affiliation: WHO Collaborative Center for Rickettsial Diseases and Other Arthropod-borne Bacterial Diseases, Marseilles, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Lou
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Marié
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davoust
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Socolovschi
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raoult
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parola
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001179:Arthropod Vectors / Q000382:microbiology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006364:Hedgehogs; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D048508:Rhipicephalus sanguineus / Q000382:microbiology*; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D041161:Rickettsia felis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial