Data from: Novel evidence suggests that a "Rickettsia felis-like" organism is an endosymbiont of the desert flea, Xenopsylla ramesis

Fleas are acknowledged vectors and reservoirs of various bacteria that present a wide range of pathogenicity. In this study, fleas collected from wild rodents from the Negev desert in southern Israel were tested for RickettsiaDNA by targeting the 16S rRNA (rrs) gene. Thirty-eight Xenopsylla ramesis, 91 Synosternus cleopatrae and 15 Leptopsylla flea pools (a total of 568 fleas) were screened. RickettsiaDNA was detected in 100% of the X. ramesis and in one S. cleopatrae flea pools. None of L. algira flea pools was found positive. All positive flea pools were further characterized by sequencing of five additional genetic loci (gltA, ompB, ompA, htrA and fusA). The molecular identification of the positive samples showed all sequences to be closely related to the ‘Rickettsia felis-like’ organisms (99–100% similarities in the six loci). To further investigate the association between ‘R. felis-like’ and X. ramesis fleas, ten additional single X. ramesis adult fleas collected from the wild and five laboratory-maintained X. ramesis imago, five larva pools (2–18 larvae per pool) and two egg pools (18 eggs per pool) were tested for the presence of ‘R. felis-like’ DNA. All samples were found positive by a specific ompAPCR assay, confirming the close association of this Rickettsia species with X. ramesis in all its life stages. These results suggest a symbiotic association between ‘Rickettsia felis-like’ and X. ramesis fleas

Aligned sequences from positive samples

Aligned sequences from positive sample

Table S2. Composition of flea pools

Table S2. Composition of flea pool

National Identity as a General Principle of EU Law and Its Impact on the Obligation to Recover State Aid

Unlike other general principles of EU law, which derive from the CJ jurisprudence, the principle of national identity is based on a clear legal provision. Article 4(2) TEU stipulates that the Union shall respect important State functions, like the territorial integrity of the State, maintaining law and order and safeguarding national security. The list of values covered by the national principle identity is open and it is for the Member State to decide what values should be protected by its national identity, while the CJ is only empowered to determine the relevance of national identity under EU law. This article analyses if the principle of national identity could influence the EC examination of State aid and if the EC should refrain from issuing an order to recover incompatible aid, if that aid was to be protected by the Member State’s national identity. There has not yet been a single judgment by the CJ on that issue and the question stays open. The analysis also focuses on the division of competences between Member States and EU institutions in carrying out that analysis, as well as on the requirements for that analysis, including the scope of an examination carried out by EU institutions.Contrairement aux autres principes généraux du droit de l’Union européenne, qui découlent de la jurisprudence de la Cour de justice de l’Union européenne, le principe de l'identité nationale est basé sur une disposition légale claire. L’article 4(2) du Traité sur l’Union européenne prévoit que l'Union doit respecter les fonctions essentielles de l'État, comme l'intégrité territoriale de l'État, le maintien de l'ordre public et la sauvegarde de la sécurité nationale. La liste des valeurs couvertes par le principe de l'identité nationale est ouverte et c’est aux États membres de décider quelles valeurs doivent être protégées par son identité nationale, tandis que la Cour de justice de l’Union européenne est uniquement compétente à déterminer la pertinence de l'identité nationale en vertu du droit de l’Union européenne. Cet article analyse si le principe de l'identité nationale pourrait influencer l’examen d’aide d'État par la Commission européenne et si la Commission européenne devrait s'abstenir d’ordonner la récupération de l’aide incompatible, et à la fin si cette aide devait être protégée par l'identité nationale de l'État membre. Vu que jusqu’au présent il n’y avait pas un seul jugement de la Cour de justice de l’Union européenne concernant ce problème, la question reste ouverte. L'analyse entrepris dans cet article se focalise également sur la répartition des compétences entre les États membres et les institutions de l’Union européenne dans le traitement de ce problème, ainsi que sur les exigences pour l’analyse entrepris par l’autorité compétente, y compris sur la portée d'un examen effectué par les institutions de l’Union européenne