Anaplasma spp., Coxiella, Babesia and Theileria Infections in Vermipsylla Alakurt Fleas.

BACKGROUND

Vermipsylla alakurt (Siphonaptera: Vermipsyllidae) is mainly distributed in alpine areas of north-western China, infesting sheep, goat and yaks, causing pruritus, anaemia and losses to animal husbandry. The carriage of vector-borne pathogens by this flea remains unclear.

METHODS

In January 2025, 89 fleas were collected from sheep in the China-Kazakhstan border area of northwest China and identified as V. alakurt by morphology and COII gene sequencing. Multiple genetic markers targeting the genera of Anaplasma, Coxiella, Babesia and Theileria were amplified and sequenced.

RESULTS

Among 83 female fleas, Anaplasma ovis (n = 6), Coxiella burnetii (n = 37), Babesia sp. (n = 7), Babesia ovis (n = 1) and Theileria annulata (n = 4) were identified. The co-infection of Coxiella burnetii with Anaplasma ovis and Theileria annulata were respectively found.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple typical vector-borne pathogens were detected at the first time in V. alakurt fleas. This finding indicates that V. alakurt fleas can carry Anaplasma, Coxiella, Babesia and Theileria in the alpine region of the China-Kazakhstan border.