Incidental amplification of Wolbachia sequences in fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) collected from pets in Thailand using 16S rDNA universal primers for hemoplasma detection.

Abstract

Fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) are common ectoparasites of cats and dogs in Thailand, and they can serve as vectors for various pathogens with zoonotic potential [e.g., Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. (hemoplasmas)]. Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. have been well described in fleas collected from cats and dogs. Contrarily, only one study reported hemoplasmas in fleas collected from cats in Thailand, and information regarding hemoplasmas in fleas collected from dogs is limited. This study used 16S rDNA universal primers in a previous study to investigate hemoplasmas in fleas collected from cats and dogs. Unfortunately, the primers inadvertently amplified the partial sequences of Wolbachia spp. endosymbionts in fleas. All obtained sequences were analyzed using nucleotide BLAST and phylogenetic analysis. Based on the results, the Wolbachia sequences were placed into two subsupergroups (I-1 and I-2) with sequences from Ctenocephalides felis and C. orientis. Although these 16S rDNA primers used in this study might be capable of amplifying hemoplasmas in mammalian hosts, additional Sanger sequencing might be required to confirm PCR products as hemoplasma sequences when these primers are used for cPCR in arthropod samples.