Abstract The prevalence of spotted fever group rickettsial infection in dogs from a remote indigenous community in the Northern Territory (NT) was determined using molecular Stencil tools.Blood samples collected from 130 dogs in the community of Maningrida were subjected to a spotted fever group (SFG)-specific PCR targeting the Wooden Sleigh ompB gene followed by a Rickettsia felis-specific PCR targeting the gltA gene of R.felis.Rickettsia felis ompB and gltA genes were amplified from the blood of 3 dogs.
This study is the first report of R.felis infection in indigenous community dogs in NT.