First report of Rickettsia felis in mosquitoes, USA (original) (raw)

Rickettsia felis is an emerging pathogen primarily transmitted by fleas, but recent evidence suggests mosquitoes may also play a role in its transmission. This study investigates the presence of R. felis in mosquitoes in Alabama, USA, by analyzing 560 unfed adult mosquitoes collected from October 2019. The results indicate a 9% positivity rate for R. felis across several mosquito species, including Anopheles punctipennis and Aedes vexans, highlighting the need for further research on the potential epidemiological role of mosquitoes in spreading this pathogen.