Molecular evidence of Rickettsia felis infection in dogs from northern territory, Australia
Molecular evidence of Rickettsia felis infection in dogs from northern territory, Australia
Parasites & Vectors
- Author(s): Hii, Sze-Fui, Kopp, Steven R., Thompson, Mary F., O'Leary, Caroline A., Rees, Robert L., Traub, Rebecca J.
- Published: 2011
- Volume: 4
- ISBN: 1756-3305
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 omp B gene followed by a Rickettsia felis-specific PCR targeting the glt A gene of R. felis. Rickettsia felis omp B and glt A 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.