Urban Focus of Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis in Los Angeles, California

Kyle F. Abramowicz, Michael P. Rood, Laura Krueger, Marina E. Eremeeva

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Classic murine typhus, caused by Rickettsia typhi, is endemic in the continental United States in areas of Texas and southern California. We conducted an environmental investigation in an urban area of Los Angeles identified as the probable exposure site for a case of murine typhus. Four Rattus norvegicus heavily infested with Xenopsylla cheopis (average 32.5 fleas per animal, range 20–42) were trapped, and fleas, blood, and tissues were collected. DNAs from all specimens were tested for R. typhi and Rickettsia felis using a TaqMan assay targeting the rickettsial citrate synthase gene. Although rickettsiemia was not detected, DNA of R. felis was detected in at least one tissue from each rat. Tissues from 3 rats were also positive for R. typhi DNA. R. typhi and R. felis DNAs were detected in fleas collected from each animal with average minimal infection rates of 10% and 32.3%, respectively. Although R. typhi still circulates in urban Los Angeles in the classic Oriental flea–rat cycle, R. felis is more prevalent, even in this association.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalVector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
Volume11
StatePublished - Jul 2011

Disciplines

  • Environmental Health
  • Public Health
  • Environmental Public Health
  • Environmental Health and Protection

Keywords

  • California
  • Los Angeles
  • Rickettsia felis
  • Rickettsia typhi

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Urban Focus of Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis in Los Angeles, California'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this