Identification of in Guinea Pigs () and Fleas Collected from Rural Peruvian Households.

In the present study, we tested 391 fleas collected from guinea pigs () (241 species, 110 , and 40 ) and 194 fleas collected from human bedding and clothing (142 species, 43 , five , and four ) for the presence of DNA. We also tested 83 blood spots collected on Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) cards from guinea pigs inhabiting 338 Peruvian households. DNA was detected in 81 (20.7%) of 391 guinea pig fleas, in five (2.6%) of 194 human fleas, and in 16 (19.3%) of 83 guinea pig blood spots. Among identified species, was the most prevalent in fleas (89.5%) and the only species found in the blood spots from guinea pigs. Other species detected in fleas included (3.5%), (2.3%), and an undescribed species (4.7%). Our results demonstrated a high prevalence of zoonotic in households in rural areas where the research was conducted and suggested a potential role of guinea pigs as a reservoir of this bacterium.