Work

Rickettsia asembonensis in fleas from wild and domestic hosts in Italy

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: • First detection of Rickettsia asembonensis identified in fleas from domestic and wild hosts in Sardinia, Italy. • The pathogen was found only in fleas ( P. irritans, X. cheopis, A. erinacei ) and not in any lice species. • Multilocus sequences targeting gltA, ompA, ompB, Sca4 , and htrA genes showed 100% identity with global strains, indicating strong genetic stability. • Mediterranean non-tick vectors reveal zoonotic potential, underlining the importance of integrated surveillance. This study provides the first molecular evidence and surveillance data of Rickettsia asembonensis in Sardinia, Italy, detected in fleas ( Pulex irritans, Xenopsylla cheopis , and Archaeopsylla erinacei ) collected from domestic (goat, dog, cat, and pig) and wild (wild boar, fox, kestrel, crow, pigeon, peacock, buzzard, hen, barn owl, martin, hedgehog, owl, and flamingo) hosts in Sardinia between 2021 and 2024. Multilocus molecular analyses of gltA, ompA, ompB, Sca4 , and htrA genes revealed sequences with 100% identity to R. asembonensis strains previously reported from Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Thailand, and Malaysia, while all lice examined tested negative. These findings broaden current understanding of Rickettsia diversity in the Mediterranean region and highlight the importance of integrated surveillance involving diverse ectoparasite species. Sustained molecular monitoring of fleas and their hosts will be vital to clarify the ecology, distribution, and potential zoonotic relevance of R. asembonensis and other emerging Rickettsia species in southern Europe.

Source: Veterinary and Animal Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2026.100584