Microbiology Commons^™

Gene Expression Patterns In Flea Vectors Of Yersinia Pestis, Wei Zhou

Theses and Dissertations

Plague bacteria (Yersinia pestis) are transmitted to susceptible mammals by fleas. At least 25 flea species found in North America have been identified as plague vectors. The most efficient flea vector is the Oriental rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis, while the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis is a poor vector. The factors that determine vector competence of different fleas are not known. The main obstacles that the bacteria must overcome in the flea gut are also unknown. Fleas' molecular responses to Y. pestis invading could be a determining factor to control the bacterial survival and growth. Good and poor …