Ecology of Rickettsia felis: A Review

Reif, Kathryn E.; Macaluso, Kevin R.

doi:10.1603/033.046.0402

Cited by 217Vector-borne infectious diseasesBartonella species infections researchInsect symbiosis and bacterial influences

Ecology of Rickettsia felis: A Review

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Reif, Kathryn E., Macaluso, Kevin R.·2009·Journal of Medical Entomology

DOI 10.1603/033.046.0402PMC PMC12794530

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Abstract

It has been two decades since the first description of Rickettsia felis, and although a nearly cosmopolitan distribution is now apparent, much of the ecology of this unique microorganism remains unresolved. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is currently the only known biological vector of R. felis; however, molecular evidence of R. felis in other species of fleas as well as in ticks and mites suggests a variety of arthropod hosts. Studies examining the transmission of R. felis using colonized cat fleas have shown stable vertical transmission but not horizontal transmission. Likewise, serological and molecular tools have been used to detect R. felis in a number of vertebrate hosts, including humans, in the absence of a clear mechanism of horizontal transmission. Considered an emerging flea-borne rickettsiosis, clinical manifestation of R. felis infection in humans, including, fever, rash, and headache is similar to other rickettsial diseases. Recent advances toward further understanding the ecology of R. felis have been facilitated by stable R. felis-infected cat flea colonies, several primary flea isolates and sustained maintenance of R. felis in cell culture systems, and highly sensitive quantitative molecular assays. Here, we provide a synopsis of R. felis including the known distribution and arthropods infected; transmission mechanisms; current understanding of vertebrate infection and human disease; and the tools available to further examine R. felis.

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Ctenocephalides canis and Pulex irritans may also act as vectors of Rickettsia felis, and both cats and dogs have been found harbouring this bacterium, although their epidemiological role is yet to be fully addressed.
“Ctenocephalides canis and P. irritans may also act as vectors of R. felis, and both cats and dogs have been found harbouring this bacterium, although their epidemiological role is yet to be fully addressed [30,37-39].”
From Fleas infesting pets in the era of emerging extra-intestinal nematodes (2013) · cites this paper as [38]

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Authors: Reif, K. E., & Macaluso, K. R.
Affiliations: Louisiana State University (US)
ORCID: Reif, Kathryn E.
Macaluso, Kevin R.
Venue: Journal of Medical Entomology
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published: 2009-07-01
Volume: 46
Issue: 4
Pages: 723-736
ISSN: 0022-2585 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1603/033.046.0402
PMC: PMC12794530
OpenAlex: W2126017813
Cited by: 217
References: 127
Citations by year: 2026: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 19
FWCI: 2.02
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: hybrid
doi.org
Licence: cc-by-nc
Locations: Journal of Medical Entomology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
BioOne Complete (BioOne) (submittedVersion)
Funders: National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (R21AI069248, AI069248, R56AI104923)
Topics: Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Parasitology › Vector-borne infectious diseases
Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Parasitology › Bartonella species infections research
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
Keywords: Rickettsia felis, Ctenocephalides felis, arthropod hosts, vertical transmission, horizontal transmission, flea-borne transmission, human infection, molecular detection, emerging zoonoses
MeSH terms: Animals, Cats, Siphonaptera, Humans, Insect Vectors, Mammals, Rickettsia Infections, Rickettsia felis

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Ecology of Rickettsia felis: A Review

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