Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Keita A. K., Socolovschi C., Ahuka-Mundeke S., Ratmanov Pavel, Butel Christelle, Ayouba Ahidjo, Inogwabini B. I., Muyembe-Tamfum J. J., Mpoudi-Ngole E., Delaporte Eric, Peeters Martine, Fenollar F., Raoult Didier. (2013). Molecular evidence for the presence of Rickettsia felis in the feces of wild-living African apes. Plos One, 8 (2), p. e54679. ISSN 1932-6203.

Titre du document
Molecular evidence for the presence of Rickettsia felis in the feces of wild-living African apes
Année de publication
2013
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000315153400031
Auteurs
Keita A. K., Socolovschi C., Ahuka-Mundeke S., Ratmanov Pavel, Butel Christelle, Ayouba Ahidjo, Inogwabini B. I., Muyembe-Tamfum J. J., Mpoudi-Ngole E., Delaporte Eric, Peeters Martine, Fenollar F., Raoult Didier
Source
Plos One, 2013, 8 (2), p. e54679 ISSN 1932-6203
Background: Rickettsia felis is a common emerging pathogen detected in mosquitoes in sub-Saharan Africa. We hypothesized that, as with malaria, great apes may be exposed to the infectious bite of infected mosquitoes and release R. felis DNA in their feces. Methods: We conducted a study of 17 forest sites in Central Africa, testing 1,028 fecal samples from 313 chimpanzees, 430 gorillas and 285 bonobos. The presence of rickettsial DNA was investigated by specific quantitative real-time PCR. Positive results were confirmed by a second PCR using primers and a probe targeting a specific gene for R. felis. All positive samples were sequenced. Results: Overall, 113 samples (11%) were positive for the Rickettsia-specific gltA gene, including 25 (22%) that were positive for R. felis. The citrate synthase (gltA) sequence and outer membrane protein A (ompA) sequence analysis indicated 99% identity at the nucleotide level to R. felis. The 88 other samples (78%) were negative using R. felis-specific qPCR and were compatible with R. felis-like organisms. Conclusion: For the first time, we detected R. felis in wild-living ape feces. This non invasive detection of human pathogens in endangered species opens up new possibilities in the molecular epidemiology and evolutionary analysis of infectious diseases, beside HIV and malaria.
Plan de classement
Entomologie médicale / Parasitologie / Virologie [052] ; Sciences du monde animal [080]
Description Géographique
AFRIQUE CENTRALE
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010060711]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010060711
Contact