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Title
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Identification of flea blood meals using multiplexed real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting mitochondrial gene fragments
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Author
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Abstract
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| Human plague is found in the West Nile region of Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo where flea vectors are often found inhabiting homes. We have developed a multiplexed, real-time polymerase chain reaction assay targeting mitochondrial genes that is capable of detecting blood meal sources in fleas collected off-host in East Africa. Laboratory tests showed that the assay is specific for the intended targets and has a detection limit below one picogram of DNA. Testing of wild-caught fleas from the Democratic Republic of Congo suggests that humans are at significant risk from flea-borne disease and implicates domestic animals including cats, chickens, and the black rat as potential sources of human exposure to fleas and flea-borne diseases. Future application of the assay will help us better define the ecology of plague in East Africa to implement effective control measures to combat the spread of disease. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene. - Baltimore, Md
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Publication
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Baltimore, Md
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2009
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ISSN
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0002-9637
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DOI
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10.4269/AJTMH.2009.80.998
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Volume/pages
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80
:6
(2009)
, p. 998-1003
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ISI
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000266645800025
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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