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Fu YT, Xun Y, Peng YY, Zhang Y, Wu X. The complete mitochondrial genome of the rodent flea Nosopsyllus laeviceps: genome description, comparative analysis, and phylogenetic implications. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:253. [PMID: 38863074 PMCID: PMC11165799 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06329-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fleas are one of the most common and pervasive ectoparasites worldwide, comprising at least 2500 valid species. They are vectors of several disease-causing agents, such as Yersinia pestis. Despite their significance, however, the molecular genetics, biology, and phylogenetics of fleas remain poorly understood. METHODS We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of the rodent flea Nosopsyllus laeviceps using next-generation sequencing technology. Then we combined the new mitogenome generated here with mt genomic data available for 23 other flea species to perform comparative mitogenomics, nucleotide diversity, and evolutionary rate analysis. Subsequently, the phylogenetic relationship within the order Siphonaptera was explored using the Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods based on concentrated data for 13 mt protein-coding genes. RESULTS The complete mt genome of the rodent flea N. laeviceps was 16,533 base pairs (bp) in a circular DNA molecule, containing 37 typical genes (13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA [tRNA] genes, and two ribosomal RNA [rRNA] genes) with one large non-coding region (NCR). Comparative analysis among the order Siphonaptera showed a stable gene order with no gene arrangement, and high AT content (76.71-83.21%) with an apparent negative AT and GC skew except in three fleas Aviostivalius klossi bispiniformis, Leptopsylla segnis, and Neopsylla specialis. Moreover, we found robust evidence that the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene was the most conserved protein-coding gene (Pi = 0.15, non-synonymous/synonymous [Ka/Ks] ratio = 0.13) of fleas. Phylogenomic analysis conducted using two methods revealed different topologies, but both results strongly indicated that (i) the families Ceratophyllidae and Leptopsyllidae were paraphyletic and were the closest to each other, and (ii) the family Ctenophthalmidae was paraphyletic. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we obtained a high-quality mt genome of the rodent flea N. laeviceps and performed comparative mitogenomics and phylogeny of the order Siphonaptera using the mt database. The results will enrich the mt genome data for fleas, lay a foundation for the phylogenetic analysis of fleas, and promote the evolutionary analysis of Siphonaptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Tian Fu
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Ying Xun
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Yan-Yan Peng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Xiang Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
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Zurita A, Trujillo I, García-Sánchez ÁM, Cutillas C. Survey of flea infestation in cats and dogs in Western Andalusia, Spain: Seasonality and other risk factors for flea infestation. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2024; 38:244-251. [PMID: 38259177 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
This epidemiological survey aims to provide an update on the main flea species that parasitize domestic animals in the Western Andalusia assessing several ecological features that could be considered as possible risk factors for flea infestation. Over a 19-month period (June 2021 to January 2023), we obtained a total of 802 flea samples from 182 dogs (Canis lupus familiaris, Carnivora: Canidae, Linnaeus, 1758) and 78 cats (Felis silvestris catus, Carnivora: Felidae, Schreber, 1775). For each parasitized host, an epidemiological survey was completed, including the following information: geographical origin, age, sex, rural or urban habitat, type of animal's lifestyle (domestic or non-domestic), health status, cohabiting or not with other animals and the total number of collected fleas. The most common species was Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) (Bouché, 1835) with a total of 713 specimens, which accounted for 89% of the total fleas. The second most abundant species was Pulex irritans (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) (Linnaeus, 1758) with a total of 46 collected fleas (6% of the total). The remaining species identified were Archaeopsylla erinacei (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) (Bouché, 1835) (25 specimens), Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) (Dale, 1878) (12 specimens) and Ctenocephalides canis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) (Curtis, 1826) (6 specimens), which accounted for 3%, 1% and 1%, respectively, of the total fleas collected. The months with the highest number of collected fleas were, in ascending order, May 2022, September 2021 and July 2021. Dogs had a greater diversity of flea species, and flea sex ratios were female biased in all identified species and among all studied hosts. Finally, we identified some potential host risk factors that promoted higher flea intensities, such as living in rural areas, or presenting other pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Zurita
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Ignacio Trujillo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | | | - Cristina Cutillas
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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Sidhoum NR, Boucheikhchoukh M, Azzouzi C, Mechouk N, Culda CA, Ionică AM, Balmos OM, Mihalca AD, Deak G. Molecular survey of flea-borne pathogens in fleas associated with carnivores from Algeria and an Artificial Neural Network-based risk analysis of flea-borne diseases. Res Vet Sci 2024; 171:105235. [PMID: 38554609 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
As ectoparasites and efficient vectors of pathogens fleas constitute a source of nuisance for animals as well as a major issue for public health in Algeria. In this study, a molecular survey has been conducted to investigate the presence of pathogens in fleas infesting domestic and wild carnivores in the central north and eastern north and south of Algeria. The molecular screening that targeted Acanthocheilonema reconditum, Bartonella spp.,and Dipylidium caninum, was supplemented by a comprehensive analysis of risk factors related to flea-borne pathogens, drawing data from all documentation across multiple languages and sources from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. In the current study, several Bartonella spp. 56/430 (13.02%) and Dipylidium caninum 3/430 (0.7%) were identified. The sequencing results revealed 5/23 (21.74%) B. clarridgeiae, 3/23 (13.04%) B. henselae, and 3/23 (13.04%) B. vinsonii. The two haplotypes, H1 and H2, of D. caninum were identified for the first time in North Africa. The results of the Artificial Neural Network risk analyses unveiled that the prevalence of pathogens and the presence of host generalist fleas as well as the vectorial competence are the most determinant risk factors of flea-borne diseases in Maghreb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noureddine Rabah Sidhoum
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid El Tarf University, PB 73, El-Tarf 36000, Algeria; Biodiversity and Ecosystems Pollution Laboratory, Faculty of Life and Nature Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid El Tarf University, El Tarf 36000, Algeria
| | - Mehdi Boucheikhchoukh
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid El Tarf University, PB 73, El-Tarf 36000, Algeria.
| | - Chaima Azzouzi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid El Tarf University, PB 73, El-Tarf 36000, Algeria; Biodiversity and Ecosystems Pollution Laboratory, Faculty of Life and Nature Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid El Tarf University, El Tarf 36000, Algeria
| | - Noureddine Mechouk
- Ecology of Terrestrial and Aquatics Systems Laboratory (EcoSTAq), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23200, Algeria; Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - Carla Andreea Culda
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania; Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, Iuliu Moldovan 23, Cluj-Napoca 400348, Romania
| | - Oana-Maria Balmos
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
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Zurita A, Trujillo I, Cutillas C. New records of pathogenic bacteria in different species of fleas collected from domestic and peridomestic animals in Spain. A potential zoonotic threat? Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 107:102153. [PMID: 38460359 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Climate change is causing many vectors of infectious diseases to expand their geographic distribution as well as the pathogens they transmit are also conditioned by temperature for their multiplication. Within this context, it is worth highlighting the significant role that fleas can play as vectors of important pathogenic bacteria. For this purpose, our efforts focused on detecting and identifying a total of 9 bacterial genera (Rickettsia sp.; Bartonella sp.; Yersinia sp.; Wolbachia sp., Mycobacterium sp., Leishmania sp., Borrelia sp., Francisella sp. and Coxiella sp.) within fleas isolated from domestic and peridomestic animals in the southwestern region of Spain (Andalusia). Over a 19-months period, we obtained flea samples from dogs, cats and hedgehogs. A total of 812 fleas was collected for this study. Five different species were morphologically identified, including C. felis, C. canis, S. cuniculi, P. irritans, and A. erinacei. Wolbachia sp. was detected in all five species identified in our study which a total prevalence of 86%. Within Rickettsia genus, two different species, R. felis and R. asembonensis were mainly identified in C. felis and A. erinacei, respectively. On the other hand, our results revealed a total of 131 fleas testing positive for the presence of Bartonella sp., representing a prevalence rate of 16% for this genus identifying two species B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae. Lastly, both Y. pestis and L. infantum were detected in DNA of P. irritans and C. felis, respectively isolated from dogs. With these data we update the list of bacterial zoonotic agents found in fleas in Spain, emphasizing the need to continue conducting future experimental studies to assess and confirm the potential vectorial role of certain synanthropic fleas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Zurita
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Profesor García González 2, Seville 41012, Spain.
| | - Ignacio Trujillo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Profesor García González 2, Seville 41012, Spain.
| | - Cristina Cutillas
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Profesor García González 2, Seville 41012, Spain.
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Kessy ST, Makundi R, Massawe AW, Rija AA. Flea infestation of rodent and their community structure in frequent and non-frequent plague outbreak areas in Mbulu district, northern Tanzania. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 23:100921. [PMID: 38495310 PMCID: PMC10940774 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Understanding rodent-ectoparasite interactions and the factors driving them is important in understanding the epidemiology of diseases involving an arthropod vector. Fleas are the primary vector for Yersinia pestis, the bacteria that causes plague and monitoring of flea population is essential for planning the potential mitigation measures to prevent the disease outbreak. In this study, we investigated flea abundance, community structure and the potential factors driving flea infestation in areas with frequent (persistent) and non-frequent plague (non-persistent) outbreaks. We collected fleas from captured rodents in two villages with both forest and farm habitats. We found 352 fleas belonging to 5 species with Dinopsyllus lypusus the most abundant overall (57.10%) and Ctenophthalmus spp. the lowest (1.70%). There were no significant differences of flea abundance between study localities, habitats and seasons (p > 0.05) but, flea infestation was significantly positively associated with the persistent locality and with the short rain season (p < 0.05). Further, flea abundance increased significantly with rodent body weight (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we found fleas broadly structured into two communities varying between the dry, long rain and short rain seasons. These findings have important implications for public health, as they may be used to assess and control the risks of plague transmission and other flea borne diseases in the foci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella T. Kessy
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3073, CHUO KIKUU, Morogoro, Tanzania
- The African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD), Tanzania
- School of Life Science and Bio-Engineering (LiSBE), Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - RhodesH. Makundi
- The African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD), Tanzania
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3110, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Apia W. Massawe
- The African Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD), Tanzania
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3110, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Alfan A. Rija
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3073, CHUO KIKUU, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Wang S, Wang S, Han X, Hornok S, Wang H, Wang N, Liu G, Yang M, Wang Y. Novel trypanosomatid species detected in Mongolian pikas (Ochotona pallasi) and their fleas in northwestern China. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:152. [PMID: 38519971 PMCID: PMC10958963 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06216-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the family Trypanosomatidae, the genus Trypanosoma contains protozoan parasites that infect a diverse range of hosts, including humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Wild rodents, as natural reservoir hosts of various pathogens, play an important role in the evolution and emergence of Trypanosomatidae. To date, no reports are available on the trypanosomatid infection of pikas (Lagomorpha: Ochotonidae). METHODS In this study, Mongolian pikas and their fleas were sampled at the China-Mongolia border, northwestern China. The samples were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing for the presence of Trypanosomatidae on the basis of both the 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene and the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) gene. The morphology of trypomastigotes was also observed in peripheral blood smears by microscopy. RESULTS Molecular and phylogenetic analyses revealed a new genotype of the Trypanosoma lewisi clade that was found both in pika blood and flea samples. This genotype, which probably represents a new species, was provisionally designated as "Trypanosoma sp. pika". In addition, a novel genotype belonging to the genus Blechomonas of Trypanosomatidae was detected in fleas. On the basis of its molecular and phylogenetic properties, this genotype was named Blechomonas luni-like, because it was shown to be the closest related to B. luni compared with other flea-associated trypanosomatids. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report any trypanosomatid species in Mongolian pikas and their fleas. Further studies are needed to investigate the epidemiology of these protozoan parasites, as well as to evaluate their pathogenicity for humans or domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Suwen Wang
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Han
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Sándor Hornok
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-UVMB Climate Change, New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Huiqian Wang
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Gang Liu
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, Uygur Autonomous Region, China
| | - Meihua Yang
- College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Republic of China
| | - Yuanzhi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
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Deak G, Ionică AM, Péter Á, Sándor AD, Matei IA, D'Amico G, Liénard E, Gherman CM, Mihalca AD, Bouhsira E. Fleas of wild carnivores in Romania: diversity, distribution, and host-associations. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:148. [PMID: 38515160 PMCID: PMC10956227 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06235-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fleas are important hematophagous insects, infesting mammals and birds with a worldwide distribution. Fleas of medical importance have been reported from various carnivores worldwide, such as felids, canids, or mustelids. Romania hosts a wide carnivore diversity, but very little is known about flea species that parasitize these animals in Romania. This study aimed to provide a better understanding of the fleas' diversity and their distribution in a relatively large and diverse number of wild carnivore hosts from Romania. METHODS From 2013 to 2021, 282 carcasses of wild carnivores from different locations in Romania were collected and examined for the presence of ectoparasites. All collected fleas were morphologically identified using specific keys and descriptions. An analysis of the co-occurrence networks was performed. RESULTS A total of 11 flea species were identified: Pulex irritans (41.09%), Paraceras melis (20.11%), Ctenocephalides felis (7.33%), Ctenocephalides canis (7.83%), Monopsyllus sciurorum (11.11%), Chaetopsylla trichosa (21.96%), Chaetopsylla homoea (5.5%), Chaetopsylla tuberculaticeps (100%), Chaetopsylla rothschildi (13.33%), Chaetopsylla sp. (14.34%), Chaetopsylla globiceps (5.12%), Echidnophaga gallinacea (10%). The statistical analyses showed a significant difference between the infestation of Martes foina with females being more frequently infected than males (66% versus 33%). Paraceras melis infesting Meles meles had a significantly higher prevalence in female badgers than in males (× 2 = 7.7977, P < 0.01) and higher intensities of infestations in males than in females (t = 1.871, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This is the first large-scale study investigating the distribution and diversity of flea species infesting wild carnivores in Romania. Three flea species were identified for the first time in Romania (E. gallinacea, C. homoea, and C. tuberculaticeps).
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Áron Péter
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila David Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-UVMB Climate Change: New Blood-Sucking Parasites and Vector-Borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ioana Adriana Matei
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Microbiology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gianluca D'Amico
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Călin Mircea Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca-Napoca, Romania
| | - Emilie Bouhsira
- InTheres, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, Toulouse, France
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Li F, Zhao S, Li E, Xie S, Wang N, Tan W, Wang Y. Detection of Rickettsia raoultii in Vermipsylla alakurt-Like Fleas of Sheep in Northwestern China. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:776-784. [PMID: 38418764 PMCID: PMC11001666 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00809-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To date, a total of 2574 validated flea species have been discovered. Vermipsyllidae is a family of fleas that comprises at least eight species. Vermipsylla is a genus of the family Vermipsyllidae within the order Siphonaptera of fleas. Here a novel Vermipsylla species was described, and rickettsial agent was also detected in it. METHODS A total of 128 fleas were collected directly from 260 pastured sheep in China. Of these, eight representative fleas (four males and four females) were identified by key morphological features. Meanwhile, 120 flea DNAs, including six flea samples for molecular taxonomy, were subjected to Rickettsia spp. DNA detection. The molecular identity of fleas was determined by amplification and sequenmce analysis of four genetic markers (the 28S rDNA genes, the 18S rDNA genes, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and subunit II). In addition, five Rickettsia-specific gene fragments were used to identify the species of the rickettsial agents. The amplified products were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. RESULTS The morphological characteristics of the flea species identified in this study were similar to Vermipsylla alakurt, but presented difference in hair number of the metepimeron, the third tergum, the genitals and the tibiae of hind leg. The 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA and COII genetic markers from fleas showed the highest identity to those of V. alakurt, shared 98.45% (954/969), 95.81% (892/931) and 85.86% (571/665) similarities, respectively. However, the COI sequence showed the highest identity to that of Dorcadia ioffi with 88.48% (576/651) similarity. Rickettsia raoutii tested positive in 14.17% (17/120) flea DNA samples. CONCLUSION Our study reports the detection of R. raoultii in V. alakurt-like fleas infesting sheep in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengshi Li
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ente Li
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Songsong Xie
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University Medical School, Shihezi City, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Wang
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenbo Tan
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuanzhi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the XPCC, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi City, 832002, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Miarinjara A, Raveloson AO, Mugel SG, An N, Andriamiadanarivo A, Rajerison ME, Randremanana RV, Girod R, Gillespie TR. Socio-ecological risk factors associated with human flea infestations of rural household in plague-endemic areas of Madagascar. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012036. [PMID: 38452122 PMCID: PMC10950221 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Plague is a flea-borne fatal disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which persists in rural Madagascar. Although fleas parasitizing rats are considered the primary vectors of Y. pestis, the human flea, Pulex irritans, is abundant in human habitations in Madagascar, and has been found naturally infected by the plague bacterium during outbreaks. While P. irritans may therefore play a role in plague transmission if present in plague endemic areas, the factors associated with infestation and human exposure within such regions are little explored. To determine the socio-ecological risk factors associated with P. irritans infestation in rural households in plague-endemic areas of Madagascar, we used a mixed-methods approach, integrating results from P. irritans sampling, a household survey instrument, and an observational checklist. Using previously published vectorial capacity data, the minimal P. irritans index required for interhuman bubonic plague transmission was modeled to determine whether household infestations were enough to pose a plague transmission risk. Socio-ecological risk factors associated with a high P. irritans index were then identified for enrolled households using generalized linear models. Household flea abundance was also modeled using the same set of predictors. A high P. irritans index occurred in approximately one third of households and was primarily associated with having a traditional dirt floor covered with a plant fiber mat. Interventions targeting home improvement and livestock housing management may alleviate flea abundance and plague risk in rural villages experiencing high P. irritans infestation. As plague-control resources are limited in developing countries such as Madagascar, identifying the household parameters and human behaviors favoring flea abundance, such as those identified in this study, are key to developing preventive measures that can be implemented at the community level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adélaïde Miarinjara
- Departments of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Health, Emory University and Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, United States of America
| | - Annick Onimalala Raveloson
- Medical Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Ecole Doctorale Science de la Vie et de l’Environnement, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Stephen Gilbert Mugel
- Departments of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Health, Emory University and Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, United States of America
| | - Nick An
- Departments of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Health, Emory University and Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Romain Girod
- Medical Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Thomas Robert Gillespie
- Departments of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Health, Emory University and Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, United States of America
- Centre Valbio, Ranomafana, Madagascar
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10
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Matharu AK, Ouma P, Njoroge MM, Amugune BL, Hyuga A, Mutebi F, Krücken J, Feldmeier H, Elson L, Fillinger U. Identification of tungiasis infection hotspots with a low-cost, high-throughput method for extracting Tunga penetrans (Siphonaptera) off-host stages from soil samples-An observational study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011601. [PMID: 38377105 PMCID: PMC10906885 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sand flea, Tunga penetrans, is the cause of a severely neglected parasitic skin disease (tungiasis) in the tropics and has received little attention from entomologists to understand its transmission ecology. Like all fleas, T. penetrans has environmental off-host stages presenting a constant source of reinfection. We adapted the Berlese-Tullgren funnel method using heat from light bulbs to extract off-host stages from soil samples to identify the major development sites within rural households in Kenya and Uganda. METHODS AND FINDINGS Simple, low-cost units of multiple funnels were designed to allow the extraction of >60 soil samples in parallel. We calibrated the method by investigating the impact of different bulb wattage and extraction time on resulting abundance and quality of off-host stages. A cross-sectional field survey was conducted in 49 tungiasis affected households. A total of 238 soil samples from indoor and outdoor living spaces were collected and extracted. Associations between environmental factors, household member infection status and the presence and abundance of off-host stages in the soil samples were explored using generalized models. The impact of heat (bulb wattage) and time (hours) on the efficiency of extraction was demonstrated and, through a stepwise approach, standard operating conditions defined that consistently resulted in the recovery of 75% (95% CI 63-85%) of all present off-host stages from any given soil sample. To extract off-host stages alive, potentially for consecutive laboratory bioassays, a low wattage (15-25 W) and short extraction time (4 h) will be required. The odds of finding off-host stages in indoor samples were 3.7-fold higher than in outdoor samples (95% CI 1.8-7.7). For every one larva outdoors, four (95% CI 1.3-12.7) larvae were found indoors. We collected 67% of all off-host specimen from indoor sleeping locations and the presence of off-host stages in these locations was strongly associated with an infected person sleeping in the room (OR 10.5 95% CI 3.6-28.4). CONCLUSION The indoor sleeping areas are the transmission hotspots for tungiasis in rural homes in Kenya and Uganda and can be targeted for disease control and prevention measures. The soil extraction methods can be used as a simple tool for monitoring direct impact of such interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abneel K. Matharu
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Human Health Theme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Paul Ouma
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Human Health Theme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Margaret M. Njoroge
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Human Health Theme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Billy L. Amugune
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Human Health Theme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ayako Hyuga
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Human Health Theme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Francis Mutebi
- Makerere University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hermann Feldmeier
- Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lynne Elson
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
- University of Oxford, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ulrike Fillinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Human Health Theme, Nairobi, Kenya
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11
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Lu S, Andersen JF, Bosio CF, Hinnebusch BJ, Ribeiro JM. Acid phosphatase-like proteins, a biogenic amine and leukotriene-binding salivary protein family from the flea Xenopsylla cheopis. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1280. [PMID: 38110569 PMCID: PMC10728186 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05679-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The salivary glands of hematophagous arthropods contain pharmacologically active molecules that interfere with host hemostasis and immune responses, favoring blood acquisition and pathogen transmission. Exploration of the salivary gland composition of the rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, revealed several abundant acid phosphatase-like proteins whose sequences lacked one or two of their presumed catalytic residues. In this study, we undertook a comprehensive characterization of the tree most abundant X. cheopis salivary acid phosphatase-like proteins. Our findings indicate that the three recombinant proteins lacked the anticipated catalytic activity and instead, displayed the ability to bind different biogenic amines and leukotrienes with high affinity. Moreover, X-ray crystallography data from the XcAP-1 complexed with serotonin revealed insights into their binding mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Lu
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - John F Andersen
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher F Bosio
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - B Joseph Hinnebusch
- Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - José M Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA
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12
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Bentancourt Rossoli JV, Moré G, Soto-Cabrera A, Moore DP, Morrell EL, Pedrana J, Scioli MV, Campero LM, Basso W, Hecker YP, Scioscia NP. Identification of Sarcocystis spp. in synanthropic (Muridae) and wild (Cricetidae) rodents from Argentina. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:31. [PMID: 38085379 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08036-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of Sarcocystis species was investigated in synanthropic (Muridae) and wild (Cricetidae) rodents from Argentina. Nine species were captured (n = 356). Sarcocysts were detected in muscles of 8.7% (31/356) and 3.7% (4/106) of the rodents by histopathology and direct microscopic observation, respectively. PCR-sequencing targeting the 18S rRNA, cox1, and ITS1 regions was performed on samples with positive histopathology. Four different 18S rRNA sequences or sequence groups with high intra-group identities (99.6-100%) were detected in Mus musculus, Oxymycterus rufus, Akodon azarae, and Necromys lasiurus. Eight sequences showed 99.5-99.7% identity with S. dispersa. Thirteen sequences showed low identity (95.3-96.4%) with other Sarcocystis spp. The obtained coxI sequences (n = 9) were almost identical to each other and showed a high similarity with S. strixi (99.2-99.5%) and S. lutrae (99.1%), despite the 18S rRNA sequences from the same samples suggested the occurrence of at least two species. This suggests that coxI may not show high variability in Sarcocystis spp. that use rodents as intermediate hosts. Six ITS1 sequences were obtained, showing high identity but low coverage with several Sarcocystis spp. Multilocus sequence typing and BLAST analysis did not lead to an accurate species identification. Possible reasons are the detection of new species or the limited molecular information available from previously described Sarcocystis spp. Phylogeny suggests that the detected Sarcocystis spp. may use raptor birds or snakes as definitive hosts. This study represents the first molecular identification of Sarcocystis spp. in naturally infected rodents of the Cricetidae and Muridae families in South America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith V Bentancourt Rossoli
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (FCEyN-UNMdP), Deán Funes 3350, Nivel 0, 7600, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gastón Moré
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Agustina Soto-Cabrera
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (FCEyN-UNMdP), Deán Funes 3350, Nivel 0, 7600, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dadín P Moore
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226 Km 73,5, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eleonora L Morrell
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226 Km 73,5, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Pedrana
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María V Scioli
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226 Km 73,5, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucía M Campero
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226 Km 73,5, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Walter Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Yanina P Hecker
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226 Km 73,5, Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Grupo SALUVET, Facultad de Veterinaria, Avenida Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nathalia P Scioscia
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (FCEyN-UNMdP), Deán Funes 3350, Nivel 0, 7600, Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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13
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Sidhoum NR, Boucheikhchoukh M, Mechouk N, Deak G. An overview of fleas (Siphonaptera) in wild and domestic mammals from Algeria with new data from the central north and south of the country. Acta Trop 2023; 247:107004. [PMID: 37619901 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.107004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Fleas (Siphonaptera) are medically and veterinary important ectoparasites known to infest a wide range of host species. This study presents a systematic review complemented by new data on the diversity of flea species and host associations in Algeria. 198 mammals were examined, including previously understudied hosts such as sheep, red foxes, fennec foxes, and golden African wolves. Of these animals, 108 (54.55%) were infested with fleas. Overall, 1.906 fleas belonging to seven species (Archaeopsylla erinacei s.l., Ctenocephalides felis, C. canis, Nosopsyllus fasciatus, Pariodontis riggenbachi, Pulex irritans, Xenopsylla cheopis) were identified, originating from seven provinces across Algeria. Statistical analysis techniques were employed to process the data, including descriptive statistics, statistical tests, and principal component analysis (PCA). This study reveals the diverse flea fauna in Algeria and their association with various host species, including wild and domestic animals. This comprehensive survey aimed to combine literature reviews, fieldwork, and statistical analysis to understand fleas' diversity and host associations. The findings contribute to the growing knowledge of flea ecology and host-parasite interactions, with implications for public health and veterinary practices in Algeria and potentially other regions with similar ecological characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noureddine Rabah Sidhoum
- Biodiversity and Ecosystems Pollution Laboratory, Faculty of Life and Nature Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf 36000, Algeria; Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf 36000, Algeria.
| | - Mehdi Boucheikhchoukh
- Biodiversity and Ecosystems Pollution Laboratory, Faculty of Life and Nature Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf 36000, Algeria; Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf 36000, Algeria.
| | - Noureddine Mechouk
- Ecology of Terrestrial and Aquatics Systems Laboratory (EcoSTAq), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba 23200, Algeria; Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
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14
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Babyesiza WS, Mpagi J, Ssuuna J, Akoth S, Katakweba A. Ectoparasite Fauna of Rodents and Shrews with Their Spatial, Temporal, and Dispersal along a Degradation Gradient in Mabira Central Forest Reserve. J Parasitol Res 2023; 2023:7074041. [PMID: 37928436 PMCID: PMC10625493 DOI: 10.1155/2023/7074041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ectoparasites like fleas, mites, and ticks that are key carriers of harmful pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, cestodes, and nematodes live on rodents and shrews. It should be noted that rodents' ecological adaptability makes them suitable as parasite hosts. The main objective of the study was to determine the ectoparasite assemblages in rodents and shrews along a degradation gradient, while comparing infestation levels in different habitats with varying levels of degradation. The study was conducted in Mabira Central Forest Reserve. Ectoparasites were collected following rodent and shrew removal trapping which was done using Sherman's traps set along transects of 200 meters in three habitat strata that included adjacent forest habitats, degraded forest edge, and regenerating forest interior. Data was collected intermittently with a break every two months for one year from November 2018 to December 2019. A total of 1411 rodents and shrews were collected, yielding a total of 5692 ectoparasites from 22 host species (17 rodents and 5 shrews). The most prevalent group of ectoparasites was mites followed by fleas, lice, ticks, and earwig. Ectoparasite prevalence significantly differed depending on hosts species (P = 0.001) and host age (P = 0.022), but not host sex (P = 0.78), while mean infestation significantly varied basing on host species (P = 0.001), host sex (P = 0.001), season (P = 0.001), and habitat (P = 0.001). Prevalence (P = 0.001) and mean infestation (P = 0.001) significantly varied across studied habitats. The study has emphasized the significance of Praomys jacksoni and Hylomyscus stella as significant hosts for mites and S. congicus as a significant host for fleas. Additionally, environment and host characteristics have a bearing on prevalence and infestation of ectoparasites with habitat degradation playing a significant role in the occurrence of ectoparasites, thereby emphasizing its contribution to zoonotic outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waswa Sadic Babyesiza
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD), Uganda
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Science, Makerere University, Uganda
| | - Joseph Mpagi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Busitema University, Uganda
| | - James Ssuuna
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD), Uganda
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Sisiria Akoth
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD), Uganda
- Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Science, Makerere University, Uganda
| | - Abdul Katakweba
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Innovative Rodent Pest Management and Biosensor Technology Development (ACE IRPM&BTD), Uganda
- Institute of Pest Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
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15
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Chen B, Liu YF, Lu XY, Jiang DD, Wang X, Zhang QF, Yang GP, Yang X. Complete mitochondrial genome of Ctenophthalmus quadratus and Stenischia humilis in China provides insights into fleas phylogeny. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1255017. [PMID: 37771942 PMCID: PMC10526365 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1255017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Fleas (Order Siphonaptera) are common blood-feeding ectoparasites, which have important economic significance. Limited mitochondrial genome information has impeded the study of flea biology, population genetics and phylogenetics. The Ctenophthalmus quadratus and Stenischia humilis complete mt genomes are described in this study. The samples were collected from Jianchuan, Yunnan plague foci, China. The mt genomes of C. quadratus and S. humilis were 15,938 bp and 15,617 bp, respectively. The gene arrangement of mt genome was consistent with that of other fleas, which include 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and two rRNA genes, with a total of 37 genes. The relationship between C. quadratus and S. humilis in fleas was inferred by phylogenetic analysis of mt genome sequence datasets. Phylogenetic analyzes showed that the C. quadratus and S. humilis belonged to different species in the same family, and were closely related to Hystrichopsylla weida qinlingensis in the same family; and revealed that the family Hystrichopsyllidae is paraphyletic, supporting the monophyly of the order Siphonaptera. This study decodes the complete mt genomes of the C. quadratus and S. humilis for the first time. The results demonstrate that the C. quadratus and S. humilis are distinct species, and fleas are monophyletic. Analysis of mt genome provides novel molecular data for further studying the phylogeny and evolution of fleas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Chen
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Ya-fang Liu
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Xin-yan Lu
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Dan-dan Jiang
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Nanchang University Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Quan-fu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, China
| | - Guo-ping Yang
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Xing Yang
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
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16
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Liu Y, Chen B, Lu X, Liu S, Jiang D, Wang X, Yi L, Li R, Zhang Q, Wu L, Yang X. Analysis of complete mitogenomes and phylogenetic relationships of Frontopsylla spadix and Neopsylla specialis. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1250381. [PMID: 37745207 PMCID: PMC10513422 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1250381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Fleas represent a group of paramount medical significance, subsisting on blood and acting as vectors for an array of naturally occurring diseases. These pathogens constitute essential elements within the plague biome, exerting deleterious effects on both human and livestock health. In this study, we successfully assembled and sequenced the whole mitochondrial genome of Frontopsylla spadix and Neopsylla specialis using long-range PCR and next-generation sequencing technologies. The mitogenomes of F. spadix and N. specialis both have 37 genes with full lengths of 15,085 bp and 16,820 bp, respectively. The topology of the phylogenetic tree elucidates that species F. spadix is clustered in a branch alongside other members of the family Leptopsyllidae, whereas species N. specialis is a sister taxon to Dorcadia ioffi and Hystrichopsylla weida qinlingensis. It also suggests that Pulicidae form a monophyletic clade, Ctenopthalmidae, Hystrichopsyllidae, Vermipsyllidae form a sister group to Ceratophyllidae/Leptopsyllidae group. The mitochondrial genomes of F. spadix and N. specialis were sequenced for the first time, which will contribute to a more comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the Siphonaptera order. The foundation for subsequent systematic studies, and molecular biology of fleas was established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yafang Liu
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Xinyan Lu
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Dandan Jiang
- School of Public Health, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Xuan Wang
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lin Yi
- College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Rongyu Li
- College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Quanfu Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Medical College and the First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Sichuan, China
| | - Lixian Wu
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Xing Yang
- Integrated Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, College of Preclinical Medicine, Dali University, Dali, China
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17
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Sanchez JP, Berrizbeitia MFL, Ezquiaga MC. Host specificity of flea parasites of mammals from the Andean Biogeographic Region. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:511-522. [PMID: 37000587 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Host specificity of fleas affects their biodiversity that plays a major role in determining the potential transmission routes by pathogens through vertebrate hosts, including humans. In the Biogeographic Andean region, numerous systematic and ecological studies have been conducted, revealing a high diversity of flea taxa of mammals and the presence of pathogenic organisms transmitted by fleas; however, the degree of preference with which each flea species associates with a mammal host remains poorly understood in this region. Herein, host specificity in mammal fleas from the Andean region was analysed. We employed the number of host species for each flea species and the index of host specificity STD *. Following the literature, 144 species and 13 subspecies of fleas (31 genera and 10 families) have been described in the Andean biogeographic region; 76 taxa are endemic to this region. To carry out the analyses of host specificity, we considered 1759 records of fleas collected from 124 species and 59 genera of wild and domestic mammals, mostly rodent species (85.9%). Our results indicate that typical Andean fleas are genus or family host specific (mostly STD * less than 3.0). More diverse mammal hosts are parasitized by more diverse flea genera and families and these hosts are phylogenetically related. Otherwise, these hosts are associated with different flea lineages, suggesting the interaction of ecological and evolutionary mechanisms (host-switching, ecological adaptations and co-evolutionary alternation). The fields of disease ecology and One Health are considering the host specificity of arthropod vectors as an important point to understand the mechanisms of emergence and re-emergence of diseases. Our results allow us to estimate the risk of diseases involving fleas in the Andean region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana P Sanchez
- Centro de Bioinvestigaciones (CeBio), Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de, Buenos Aires-CITNOBA (CONICET-UNNOBA-UNSAdA), Pergamino, Argentina
| | - M Fernanda López Berrizbeitia
- PCMA (Programa de Conservación de los Murciélagos de Argentina), and PIDBA (Instituto de Investigaciones de Biodiversidad Argentina), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML, UNT, Miguel Lillo, Argentina
- Fundación Miguel Lillo, Miguel Lillo, Argentina
- CCT NOA Sur, CONICET, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - M Cecilia Ezquiaga
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CONICET, UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
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Matthee CA, Bierman A, Krasnov BR, Matthee S, van der Mescht L. Documenting the microbiome diversity and distribution in selected fleas from South Africa with an emphasis on the cat flea, Ctenocephalides f. felis. Parasitology 2023; 150:979-989. [PMID: 37681253 PMCID: PMC10941216 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The factors that influence parasite associated bacterial microbial diversity and the geographic distributions of bacteria are not fully understood. In an effort to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the bacterial diversity of Ctenocephalides fleas and host species and the external environment, we conducted a metagenetic analysis of 107 flea samples collected from 8 distinct sampling sites in South Africa. Pooled DNA samples mostly comprising of 2 or 3 individuals sampled from the same host, and belonging to the same genetic cluster, were sequenced using the Ion PGM™ Hi-Q™ Kit and the Ion 316™ Chip v2. Differences were detected in the microbiome compositions between Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides connatus. Although based on a small sample, C. connatus occurring on wildlife harboured a higher bacterial richness when compared to C. felis on domestic animals. Intraspecific differences in the microbial OTU diversity were detected within C. f. felis that occurred on domestic cats and dogs. Different genetic lineages of C. f. felis were similar in microbial compositions but some differences exist in the presence or absence of rare bacteria. Rickettsia and Bartonella OTU's identified in South African cat fleas differ from those identified in the USA and Australia. Intraspecific microbial compositions also differ across geographic sampling sites. Generalized dissimilarity modelling showed that temperature and humidity are potentially important environmental factors explaining the pattern obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conrad A. Matthee
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Evolutionary Genomics Group, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Anandi Bierman
- Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology, Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Boris R. Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Sonja Matthee
- Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Luther van der Mescht
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Evolutionary Genomics Group, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Ming M, Yuan S, Fu H, Li X, Zhang H, Liu T, Bu F, Wu X. Influence of biotic and abiotic factors on flea species population dynamics on Lasiopodomys brandtii. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 21:185-191. [PMID: 37575662 PMCID: PMC10422677 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Brandt's Vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii) is one of the most abundant rodent species in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, China, and one of the main carriers of Yersinia pestis, the plague bacterium. There have been several instances of plague transmission among L. brandtii, and all of their dominant flea species are known carriers of plague. Little work has been done to understand the regulation of flea abundance on L. brandtii by biotic and abiotic factors. Here, we examine the impacts of host and climate variation on flea abundance on L. brandtii in May, July, and September of 2021 in the East Ujumqin Banner, Xilinhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. We arrived at the following conclusions: 1) There were 8 flea species representing 2 families and 5 genera collected from L. brandtii, and Frontopsylla luculenta, Neopsylla pleskei orientalis, and Amphipsylla primaris mitis were most common. 2) Host body weight, host age, season, temperature, and humidity are key factors influencing flea abundance on L. brandtii. 3) Flea species vary in their respective responses to factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Ming
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Shuai Yuan
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Heping Fu
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Xin Li
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Haoting Zhang
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Tao Liu
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Fan Bu
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
| | - Xiaodong Wu
- College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Rodent Ecology and Pest Controlled, Inner Mongolia. Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Grassland Resources of the Ministry of Education. Hohhot, China
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Jobe NB, Huijben S, Paaijmans KP. Non-target effects of chemical malaria vector control on other biological and mechanical infectious disease vectors. Lancet Planet Health 2023; 7:e706-e717. [PMID: 37558351 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(23)00136-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Public health insecticides play a crucial role in malaria control and elimination programmes. Many other arthropods, including mechanical and biological vectors of infectious diseases, have similar indoor feeding or resting behaviours, or both, as malaria mosquitoes, and could be exposed to the same insecticides. In this Personal View, we show that little is known about the insecticide susceptibility status and the extent of exposure to malaria interventions of other arthropod species. We highlight that there is an urgent need to better understand the selection pressure for insecticide resistance in those vectors, to ensure current and future active ingredients remain effective in targeting a broad range of arthropod species, allowing us to prevent and control future outbreaks of infectious diseases other than malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ndey Bassin Jobe
- The Center for Evolution & Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Silvie Huijben
- The Center for Evolution & Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; Simon A Levin Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Krijn P Paaijmans
- The Center for Evolution & Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; Simon A Levin Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; The Biodesign Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccines and Virotherapy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique.
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21
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Fukatsu T, Gottlieb Y, Duron O, Graf J. Editorial: Microbial associates of blood-sucking arthropods and other animals: relevance to their physiology, ecology and evolution. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1256275. [PMID: 37564283 PMCID: PMC10411339 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1256275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Takema Fukatsu
- Bioproduction Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yuval Gottlieb
- The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Olivier Duron
- MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRD, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Joerg Graf
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
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Dong L, Li Y, Yang C, Gong J, Zhu W, Huang Y, Kong M, Zhao L, Wang F, Lu S, Pu J, Yang J. Species-level microbiota of ticks and fleas from Marmota himalayana in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1188155. [PMID: 37415819 PMCID: PMC10320725 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1188155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Ticks and fleas, as blood-sucking arthropods, carry and transmit various zoonotic diseases. In the natural plague foci of China, monitoring of Yersinia pestis has been continuously conducted in Marmota himalayana and other host animals, whereas other pathogens carried by vectors are rarely concerned in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Methods In this study, we investigated the microbiota of ticks and fleas sampling from M. himalayana in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China by metataxonomics combined with metagenomic methods. Results By metataxonomic approach based on full-length 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing and operational phylogenetic unit (OPU) analyses, we described the microbiota community of ticks and fleas at the species level, annotated 1,250 OPUs in ticks, including 556 known species and 492 potentially new species, accounting for 48.50% and 41.71% of the total reads in ticks, respectively. A total of 689 OPUs were detected in fleas, consisting of 277 known species (40.62% of the total reads in fleas) and 294 potentially new species (56.88%). At the dominant species categories, we detected the Anaplasma phagocytophilum (OPU 421) and potentially pathogenic new species of Wolbachia, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Bartonella. Using shotgun sequencing, we obtained 10 metagenomic assembled genomes (MAGs) from vector samples, including a known species (Providencia heimbachae DFT2), and six new species affliated to four known genera, i.e., Wolbachia, Mumia, Bartonella, and Anaplasma. By the phylogenetic analyses based on full-length 16S rRNA genes and core genes, we identified that ticks harbored pathogenic A. phagocytophilum. Moreover, these potentially pathogenic novel species were more closely related to Ehrlichia muris, Ehrlichia muris subsp. eauclairensis, Bartonella rochalimae, and Rickettsia limoniae, respectively. The OPU 422 Ehrlichia sp1 was most related to Ehrlichia muris and Ehrlichia muris subsp. eauclairensis. The OPU 230 Bartonella sp1 and Bartonella spp. (DTF8 and DTF9) was clustered with Bartonella rochalimae. The OPU 427 Rickettsia sp1 was clustered with Rickettsia limoniae. Discussion The findings of the study have advanced our understanding of the potential pathogen groups of vectors in marmot (Marmota himalayana) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingzhi Dong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yaben Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Caixin Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Gong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wentao Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuyuan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Mimi Kong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Lijun Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Lu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ji Pu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Research Units of Discovery of Unknown Bacteria and Function, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Mencke N, Blazejak K, Petry G, Hamburg H, Ringeisen H, Knoppe TN, Viljoen A, Smith A, Spruill J. Immediate and long-term efficacy of Felpreva®, a new spot-on formulation containing tigolaner, emodepside and praziquantel, applied as a single application to cats artificially infested with the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2023; 3:100122. [PMID: 37441539 PMCID: PMC10333678 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2023.100122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Five studies (two dose determination, two dose confirmation, and one speed of flea kill study) were conducted to assess the immediate (therapeutic) efficacy and long-term persistent (preventive) efficacy of a single spot-on application containing the novel acaricide and insecticide tigolaner in combination with emodepside and praziquantel (Felpreva®, Vetoquinol S.A. Lure, France) applied to cats artificially infested with Ctenocephalides felis. Eight cats per group were randomly allocated to 0, 1×, 1.3× and 2× of the minimum dose (14.5 mg/kg body weight) of tigolaner (dose determination studies) or randomly allocated to 0 and 1× of the dosage (dose confirmation studies). Onset of efficacy was assessed in a speed of flea kill study on an existing flea infestation 8, 12 and 24 h after treatment and reassessed after monthly flea reinfestation until 13 weeks post-treatment. Efficacy was calculated according to the Abbott formula using arithmetic means. Efficacy was claimed when (i) control groups were adequately infested (flea retention ≥ 50%) at each time-point in the studies; (ii) flea counts in treated groups were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) than flea counts in control groups; and (iii) calculated efficacy was ≥ 90% (speed of flea kill study) and ≥ 95% (dose determination and dose confirmation studies). Tigolaner at 14.5 mg/kg body weight was 100% effective against fleas on Day 1 (immediate, therapeutic efficacy) in both, dose determination and dose confirmation studies. The long-term persistent efficacy in week 13 ranged between 96.3% and 100%. Fleas were rapidly killed within 12 h after treatment (100% flea reduction, immediate efficacy). New flea infestations were successfully prevented for 8 weeks (98.9-100% flea reduction) within 8 h after reinfestation, and at week 13 (96.3% flea reduction) within 24 h after reinfestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Mencke
- Vetoquinol S.A., 37 rue de la Victoire, 75009, Paris, France
| | - Katrin Blazejak
- Vetoquinol S.A., 37 rue de la Victoire, 75009, Paris, France
| | - Gabriele Petry
- Elanco Animal Health, Alfred Nobel Str. 10, 40789, Monheim, Germany
| | - Hannah Hamburg
- Elanco Animal Health, Alfred Nobel Str. 10, 40789, Monheim, Germany
| | - Hannah Ringeisen
- Elanco Animal Health, Alfred Nobel Str. 10, 40789, Monheim, Germany
| | | | - Alta Viljoen
- Clinvet International (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 11186, 9321, Universitas, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Ashley Smith
- Elanco Animal Health, 2500 Innovation Way, Greenfield, IN, 46140, USA
| | - Jennifer Spruill
- Elanco Animal Health, 2500 Innovation Way, Greenfield, IN, 46140, USA
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Mays Maestas SE, Campbell LP, Wisely SM, Dingman PA, Reeves LE, Kaufman PE. Comparison of ectoparasite communities of sylvatic and urban wild mesomammals and unowned community cats in north-central Florida. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 60:460-469. [PMID: 36946466 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjad026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The adaptation of wildlife species to urban environments can drive changes in the ecology of ectoparasites and vector-borne disease. To better understand ectoparasite dynamics in an urban environment, we investigated the ectoparasite communities of 183 sylvatic and urban opossums and raccoons captured across four seasons at a rural research station and within the city of Gainesville, FL, and of 115 community cats from the Gainesville, FL area. Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae), Dermacentor variabilis (Say), and Ixodes texanus Banks were collected from raccoons, A. americanum, D. variabilis, and Ixodes scapularis Say from opossums, and A. americanum from cats. Few ticks were collected from urban animals, although species richness of ectoparasites was similar between urban and sylvatic habitats. Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) was collected from all sampled host species, but was particularly abundant on opossums. Additionally, Orchopeas howardi (Baker) (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) was collected from raccoons, and O. howardi and Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) from opossums. Only raccoons were infested with raccoon lice, and only cats were infested with cat lice. Primarily opossums were infested with mites. Ectoparasite community composition varied by habitat, host species, and season; seasonal variation in ectoparasite communities differed between the sylvatic and urban habitats. While urban mesomammals did not appear to play an important role in supporting tick populations in an urban habitat, urban opossums appear to serve as an alternate host for large numbers of cat fleas, which may be an important consideration for treatment and control efforts against ectoparasites of companion animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Mays Maestas
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - L P Campbell
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL, USA
| | - S M Wisely
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - P A Dingman
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Services, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - L E Reeves
- Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory, University of Florida, Vero Beach, FL, USA
| | - P E Kaufman
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Perez R, Pérez‐Cutillas P, Gonzálvez M, Muñoz‐Hernández C, Arcenillas‐Hernández I, de Ruiz de Ybáñez R, Escribano F, Martínez‐Carrasco C. Predictive factors for flea occurrence in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from semi-arid Mediterranean environments. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:86-95. [PMID: 36125325 PMCID: PMC10087194 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The role of red fox as host for a wide range of parasites, particularly fleas and other arthropods causing vector-borne diseases, in combination with its capability to adapt to anthropized environments, makes this wild canid an epidemiologically remarkable species at the wildlife-domestic-human interface, especially in the present time of rise of emerging and re-emerging diseases. This study evaluated the prevalence and parasite intensity of fleas in 88 foxes from Murcia Region (Southeastern Spain) and determined the geographic distribution of areas with the highest potential risk of flea presence. Pulex irritans, Ctenocephalides felis, Spilopsyllus cuniculi and Nosopsyllus fasciatus were identified. The overall prevalence was 76.13%. This is the first time that N. fasciatus has been reported in foxes from Murcia Region. The predictive model established a certain pattern to determine the areas with the highest risk of acquiring fleas. Positive correlation of daily potential evapotranspiration (ET0 ) in winter and the opposite effect occurring for ET0 in summer were obtained, as well as positive correlations for mean daily temperature (Tmean ) in summer and mean precipitation (Pmean ) in winter and summer. The model was also found positively correlated in the forest habitat ecotone areas and the anthropized areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Perez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Pedro Pérez‐Cutillas
- Departamento de Geografía, Facultad de Letras Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Clara Muñoz‐Hernández
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Irene Arcenillas‐Hernández
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | - Rocío de Ruiz de Ybáñez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
| | | | - Carlos Martínez‐Carrasco
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”Universidad de MurciaMurciaSpain
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Carrilho M, Teixeira D, Silva M, Nunes M, Vieira ML, Novo MT, Santos-Reis M, Miguel Rosalino L. Prevalence of Ectoparasites on Small Mammals Inhabiting an Agroforestry System of Western Portugal. COMP PARASITOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1654/copa-d-21-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maílis Carrilho
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change (cE3c) & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal (e-mail: ; ;
| | - Daniela Teixeira
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change (cE3c) & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal (e-mail: ; ;
| | - Marcelo Silva
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change (cE3c) & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal (e-mail: ; ;
| | - Mónica Nunes
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira,100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal (e-mail:
; )
| | - Maria Luísa Vieira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira,100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal (e-mail:
; )
| | - Maria Teresa Novo
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira,100, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal (e-mail:
; )
| | - Margarida Santos-Reis
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change (cE3c) & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal (e-mail: ; ;
| | - Luís Miguel Rosalino
- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change (cE3c) & CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal (e-mail: ; ;
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Amini Rarani S, Azami M, Kiani F, Kazeroni TB. First case report of hospital staff infestation with cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) in Iran. GMS HYGIENE AND INFECTION CONTROL 2023; 18:Doc06. [PMID: 36875332 PMCID: PMC9978450 DOI: 10.3205/dgkh000432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) are the most common ectoparasites of domestic cats and dogs worldwide. They can parasitize humans in many regions of the globe. Hospital infestation with fleas has not been reported in Iran, and the number of reported cases in the world is very low. Case presentation Here we report and describe a hospital infestation with cat fleas in a number of health-care service personnel and nurses, which led to the development of skin lesions and severe itching. Conclusion Diagnosing the parasite, removing it, and good health and medical management lead to satisfactory outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Amini Rarani
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Department of Operating Room, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mehdi Azami
- Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.,Department of Medical Parasitology and Microbiology, Hojjatieh Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Hojjatieh Hospital, Isfahan, Iran.,Basir Laboratory Research and Development Center, Basir Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Kiani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Microbiology, Hojjatieh Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Hojjatieh Hospital, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Tahereh Basir Kazeroni
- Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Tan L, Yao X, Liu J, Lei C, Huang Q, Hu B. The complete mitochondrial genome of the flea Hystrichopsylla weida qinlingensis (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsylla). Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2023; 8:501-503. [PMID: 37091579 PMCID: PMC10120440 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2022.2053367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The complete mitogenome sequence of the flea, Hystrichopsylla weida qinlingensis (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsylla) was sequenced. The 17,173 bp long genome has the standard metazoan complement of 37 genes. These genes contain 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one control region. The nucleotide composition of the H. weida qinlingensis mitogenome was A: 39.10%, T: 41.49%, G:7.56%, and C: 11.85%. The A + T content is 80.59%, showing strong AT bias. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Hystrichopsylla has a close affinity with a branch of Dorcadia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangfei Tan
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Xuan Yao
- Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingyuan Liu
- Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
| | - Chaoliang Lei
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiuying Huang
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- CONTACT Qiuying Huang College of Plant Science and Technology, Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bing Hu
- Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
- Bing Hu Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, China
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Rickettsia felis and species of fleas parasitizing on household dogs in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 92:101926. [PMID: 36473364 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia felis is an obligate intracellular gra m-negative bacterium that belongs to the family of Rickettsiaceae. Ctenocephalides felis, cat flea, is the primary vector of the bacteria. The flea is the most common ectoparasite in dogs and associated with flea-borne spotted fever in humans. Information on R. felis and flea species parasitizing on dogs in Vietnam is limited. This study aimed to identify the species of fleas collected from dogs in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and detected the existence of R. felis in these fleas utilizing molecular tools. Morphological identification of 1618 fleas and molecular confirmation revealed the predominance of C. felis orientis parasitizing on dogs in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Sixty-eight out of 100 fleas collected from household dogs were positive for spotted fever group rickettsiae; whilst R. felis was detected in 97.06 % (66/68) of C. felis orientis and C. felis felis. The results of this study indicate the potentially high risk of R. felis infection to humans and animals.
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Amugune BL, Matharu AK, Ouma P, Mutebi F, Elson L, Fillinger U, Krücken J. Cost-Effective PCR-Based Identification of Tunga penetrans (Siphonaptera) Larvae Extracted from Soil Samples Containing PCR Inhibitor-Rich Material. INSECTS 2022; 14:5. [PMID: 36661934 PMCID: PMC9865934 DOI: 10.3390/insects14010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by skin-penetrating female Tunga penetrans fleas. Although tungiasis causes severe health problems, its ecology is poorly understood and morphological descriptions of the larvae are unavailable. To identify T. penetrans immature stages and sites where they develop, diagnostic PCRs are required. However, flea larvae feed on soil organic matter rich in PCR inhibitors. Here, three DNA preparation methods, including a soil DNA kit that removes inhibitors, a simple ammonium acetate precipitation approach (AmAcet) and a crude lysate of larvae (CL), were combined with amplification by the highly processive FIREPol® Taq or the inhibitor-resistant Phusion® polymerase. Independent of the polymerase used, the frequency of successful amplification, Cq values and PCR efficacies for the low-cost CL and AmAcet methods were superior to the commercial kit for amplification of a 278 bp partial internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2) and a 730 bp pan-Siphonaptera cytochrome oxidase II PCR. For the CL method combined with Phusion® polymerase, the costs were approximately 20-fold lower than for the methods based on the soil DNA kit, which is a considerable advantage in resource-poor settings. The ITS-2 PCR did not amplify Ctenocephalides felis genomic or Tunga trimammilata ITS-2 plasmid DNA, meaning it can be used to specifically identify T. penetrans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billy L. Amugune
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Human Health Theme, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Abneel K. Matharu
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Human Health Theme, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Ouma
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Human Health Theme, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Francis Mutebi
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala 10218, Uganda
| | - Lynne Elson
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi 80108, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Ulrike Fillinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Human Health Theme, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
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Development and evaluation of clove and cinnamon oil-based nanoemulsions against adult fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis). BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2022.102587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Spillover and spillback risks of ectoparasites by an invasive squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus in Kanto region of Japan. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 19:1-8. [PMID: 35991948 PMCID: PMC9385448 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Invasive organisms can alter host-parasite relationships in a given ecosystem by spreading exotic parasites and/or becoming a new reservoir for native ones. Since these problems affect management programs of the invasive host organisms, it is necessary to monitor them individually. The Pallas's squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus is an invasive arboreal mammal introduced into Japan that threatens to exacerbate ecological and public health problems by spreading native and exotic parasites. However, only limited surveys have been available especially for ectoparasites, using the traditional combing method in which the possibility of oversight is inherent. Here, we evaluated the ectoparasite occurrences in Kanto region of Japan, using the whole-shaving method as an alternative approach. As a result of examining 52 hosts from two invaded districts (Yokohama and Yokosuka), chigger mites (Leptotrombidium spp.) and fleas (Ceratophyllus anisus and Ceratophyllus indages indages) were newly recovered in addition to the previously reported tick (Haemaphysalis flava) and exotic lice (Enderleinellus kumadai and Neophaematoponis callosciuri). The parasite burdens were higher in Yokosuka and in male host individuals, affecting infracommunity richness and composition. Our findings on the variety of native and exotic ectoparasites, at higher abundances in some cases than previously known, may suggest that both the spillover and spillback risks need to be adjusted upwards. Ectoparasite infections were examined for Pallas's squirrels invaded in Kanto region of Japan. A variety of native and exotic ectoparasites with high abundance in some cases was found. Infracommunity composition changed depending on the invading environment and host features. Spillover and spillback risks may need to be adjusted upwards in this country.
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Diakou A, Sofroniou D, Paoletti B, Tamvakis A, Kolencik S, Dimzas D, Morelli S, Grillini M, Traversa D. Ticks, Fleas, and Harboured Pathogens from Dogs and Cats in Cyprus. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121403. [PMID: 36558737 PMCID: PMC9786688 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks and fleas are blood-sucking ectoparasites that cause irritation and anaemia to their hosts and act as vectors of pathogens (vector-borne pathogens, VBPs) of relevance for animal and human health. In the present study, tick and flea species in dogs and cats from Cyprus were recorded and VBPs were detected in the collected specimens. Ectoparasites were collected from 220 animals (161 dogs and 59 cats), and a questionnaire including demographic, clinical, and other information was filled out for each animal. The ectoparasites were morphologically identified and the detection of VBPs was performed by PCR-coupled sequencing. Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato was found on 108 dogs and 13 cats, and Ixodes gibbosus on 2 dogs. Ctenocephalides felis was the predominant flea species (on 62 dogs and 45 cats), while one dog and one cat were infested by Ctenocephalides canis and Echidnophaga gallinacea, respectively. The VBPs in ticks were Anaplasma platys, Rickettsia massiliae, Rickettsia conorii, Rickettsia felis, Hepatozoon felis and Hepatozoon canis, while Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia sp., Bartonella koehlerae, Bartonella clarridgeiae, and Bartonella henselae were recorded in fleas. Statistical analysis (chi-square test and multiple univariate generalized linear model) showed that animals up to 6 months of age were less likely to be infested with ticks than older animals, but more likely to be infested with fleas. Ticks were more prevalent in sheltered than in owned animals, while the odds ratio of flea presence was higher in owned animals than those living in shelters. The present study is the first investigation on the occurrence of ticks and fleas in dogs and cats from Cyprus, showing the presence of different VBPs in these important ectoparasites. The results point out the importance of systematic ectoparasite control in dogs and cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Diakou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Barbara Paoletti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Androniki Tamvakis
- Laboratory of Ecology and System Dynamics, Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, 81100 Mytilene, Greece
| | | | - Dimitris Dimzas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Marika Grillini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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Sánchez-Juanes F, Calvo Sánchez N, Belhassen García M, Vieira Lista C, Román RM, Álamo Sanz R, Muro Álvarez A, Muñoz Bellido JL. Applications of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry to the Identification of Parasites and Arthropod Vectors of Human Diseases. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2300. [PMID: 36422371 PMCID: PMC9695109 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Arthropod vectors and parasites are identified morphologically or, more recently, by molecular methods. Both methods are time consuming and require expertise and, in the case of molecular methods, specific devices. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identification of bacteria has meant a major change in clinical microbiology laboratories because of its simplicity, speed and specificity, and its capacity to identify microorganisms, in some cases, directly from the sample (urine cultures, blood cultures). Recently, MALDI-TOF MS has been shown as useful for the identification of some parasites. On the other hand, the identification of vector arthropods and the control of their populations is essential for the control of diseases transmitted by arthropods, and in this aspect, it is crucial to have fast, simple and reliable methods for their identification. Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods with a worldwide distribution, that behave as efficient vectors of a wide group of human and animal pathogens, including bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and even helminths. They are capable of parasitizing numerous species of mammals, birds and reptiles. They constitute the second group of vectors of human diseases, after mosquitoes. MALDI-TOF MS has been shown as useful for the identification of different tick species, such as Ixodes, Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma. Some studies even suggest the possibility of being able to determine, through MALDI-TOF MS, if the arthropod is a carrier of certain microorganisms. Regarding mosquitoes, the main group of vector arthropods, the possibility of using MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of different species of Aedes and Anopheles has also been demonstrated. In this review, we address the possibilities of this technology for the identification of parasites and arthropod vectors, its characteristics, advantages and possible limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Sánchez-Juanes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Noelia Calvo Sánchez
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Moncef Belhassen García
- Department of Medicine-Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Universidad de Salamanca, CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carmen Vieira Lista
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Raul Manzano Román
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rufino Álamo Sanz
- Public Health Information Service, Consejería de Sanidad, Junta de Castilla y León, 47007 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Antonio Muro Álvarez
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Universidad de Salamanca, CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Muñoz Bellido
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Universidad de Salamanca, CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Oliver GV, Eckerlin RP. Fleas (Siphonaptera) From the Puma, Puma concolor (Carnivora: Felidae), A Rangewide Review and New Records from Utah and Texas, USA. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 59:2045-2052. [PMID: 36073527 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjac119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Fleas have rarely been reported from the puma, Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771), despite its vast geographic range, its breadth of habitat use, and its diverse diet, all of which bring it into contact with many other species of mammals and potentially their fleas. We review the reported occurrence of 8 species of fleas from pumas, 7 of these species being from wild hosts and 1 species from a host in captivity, and we correct the mistaken report of 1 other flea species from the puma. We present 10 new records of 4 species of fleas from the puma in Utah and Texas. 2 of these flea species, Cediopsylla inaequalis inaequalis (Baker, 1895) and Odontopsyllus dentatus (Baker, 1904), represent new host records, and 1 species, Chaetopsylla setosa Rothschild, 1906, is a new state record for Utah as well as being 1 of the 2 southernmost known localities for this species. At least 7 of the 9 flea species now known from free-ranging pumas are species that are acquired by pumas from their prey. Pumas may be primary hosts of 2 flea species, but even these fleas may be from prey. Some of the flea species that parasitize pumas transmit sylvatic plague, and, since pumas are highly vagile and are known to become infected with plague, they may spread the disease through their dispersal of infected fleas. Pumas and their fleas also may be involved in the ecology of several other bacterial zoonoses, which are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- George V Oliver
- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, 1594 West North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT, 84116-3154, USA
| | - Ralph P Eckerlin
- Mathematics, Science, and Technology Division, Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, VA, 22003, USA
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Araújo IM, Cordeiro MD, Soares RFP, Guterres A, Sanavria A, Baêta BDA, da Fonseca AH. Survey of bacterial and protozoan agents in ticks and fleas found on wild animals in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:102037. [PMID: 36270115 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.102037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluates the presence of bacterial and protozoan agents in ticks and fleas found on wild animals in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These ectoparasites were collected on mammal species Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, Tapirus terrestris, Dicotyles tajacu, Didelphis aurita, Cuniculus paca, Cerdocyon thous, and Coendou prehensilis, and on the terrestrial bird Dromaius novaehollandiae. Ticks and fleas were identified morphologically using specific taxonomic keys. A total of 396 ticks and 54 fleas were tested via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., microorganisms of the order Piroplasmida and Anaplasmataceae family. This total is distributed among nine tick species of the genus Amblyomma and one flea species. Rickettsia bellii was detected in Amblyomma dubitatum and Amblyomma pacae; Rickettsia sp. strain AL was found in Amblyomma longirostre; Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest was found in Amblyomma ovale; and "Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis" and Rickettsia felis were detected in Ctenocephalides felis felis. Wolbachia sp. was detected in C. f. felis, and Borrelia sp. was detected in Amblyomma calcaratum (here named Borrelia sp. strain Acalc110). All tested samples were negative for Ehrlichia spp. and microorganisms of the Piroplasmida order. This study detected a new bacterial strain, Borrelia sp. strain Acalc 110 (which is genetically close to B. miyamotoi and B. venezuelensis) and the Rickettsia sp. strain 19P, which is 100% similar to "Ca. R. senegalensis", a bacterium recently discovered and now being reported for the first time in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Mesquita Araújo
- Post-Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Br 465, km 7, Highway BR 465, Km 7,5. Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Matheus Dias Cordeiro
- Post-Graduate Program in Practice in Sustainable Development, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rubens Fabiano Prado Soares
- Post-Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Br 465, km 7, Highway BR 465, Km 7,5. Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Alexandro Guterres
- Laboratório de Hantaviroses e Rickettsioses, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - Avenida Brasil, Rio de Janeiro 4365, Brazil
| | - Argemiro Sanavria
- Post-Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Br 465, km 7, Highway BR 465, Km 7,5. Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Bruna de Azevedo Baêta
- Post-Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Br 465, km 7, Highway BR 465, Km 7,5. Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Adivaldo Henrique da Fonseca
- Post-Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, UFRRJ, Br 465, km 7, Highway BR 465, Km 7,5. Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro CEP: 23897-000, Brazil.
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Güvendi M, Can H, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Kandemir Ç, Taşkın T, Sürgeç E, Demir S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk M, Gül A, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C. Investigation of the genetic diversity and flea-borne pathogens in Ctenocephalides felis samples collected from goats in İzmir and Şanlıurfa provinces of Turkey. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 90-91:101896. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Epidemiological Study of the Occurrence of Typhus Group Rickettsia Natural Infection in Domiciliated Dogs from a Rural Community in South-Eastern Mexico. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12202885. [PMID: 36290270 PMCID: PMC9598504 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Rickettsioses are relevant emergent and reemergent zoonoses in the Americas, including Mexico. Murine typhus caused by typhus group (TG) Rickettsia is prevalent in humans and their companion animals, such as dogs. This study found that 23.9% of the dogs (34/142) were infected by TG Rickettsia in Maxcanú, Yucatan (southeastern Mexico). Statistical analyses showed that reduced outdoor activities, age, sex and previous antiparasitic treatment are associated factors with less risk of TG Rickettsia infection in the sampled dogs. Monitoring and controlling these factors could help to restrict the enzootic transmission risk and prevent the potential zoonotic transmission. Abstract The aim is to describe the Typhus group (TG) Rickettsia infection in dogs and to identify factors associated with this infection. We collected blood samples and gathered exposure and clinical data of 142 dogs from a rural community of Yucatan. The Rickettsia group was determined by semi-nested PCR. Generalized linear models with binomial error distribution were used to model the associated factors from the dog sample for risk ratio (RR) estimation. Thirty-four dogs (23.9%) showed molecular evidence of TG Rickettsia DNA. The multivariate model showed that mixed-breed dogs (RR = 0.06) and dogs that had received antiparasitic treatment (RR = 0.049) had a lower risk of getting infected, taking as reference the purebred group and the non-treated dogs, respectively. Looking at variable interactions, adult dogs without outdoor activities had a lower infection risk than puppies (RR = 0.26). Among dogs with antiparasitic treatment, females had a higher infection risk than male dogs (RR = 26.2). The results showed enzootic TG Rickettsia circulation in dogs of a rural community. The factors outdoor activities, age and previous antiparasitic treatment, as well as the clinical variables signs of hemorrhages and epistaxis, were associated with a less chance of natural infection in the studied dogs. Prevention and control of the enzootic transmission risk of TG Rickettsia should help to reduce the potential zoonotic transmission of this pathogen.
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Bartonella, Rickettsia, Babesia, and Hepatozoon Species in Fleas (Siphonaptera) Infesting Small Mammals of Slovakia (Central Europe). Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080886. [PMID: 36015007 PMCID: PMC9413308 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fleas (Siphonaptera) as obligate, blood-feeding ectoparasites are, together with ticks, hosted by small mammals and can transmit causative agents of serious infections. This study aimed to determine and characterize the presence and genetic diversity of Bartonella, Rickettsia, and apicomplexan parasites (Babesia, Hepatozoon) in fleas feeding on small mammals from three different habitat types (suburban, natural, and rural) in Slovakia. The most common pathogen in the examined fleas was Bartonella spp. (33.98%; 95% CI: 30.38-37.58), followed by Rickettsia spp. (19.1%; 95% CI: 16.25-22.24) and apicomplexan parasites (4.36%; 95% CI: 2.81-5.91). Bartonella strains belonging to B. taylorii, B. grahamii, B. elizabethae, Bartonella sp. wbs11, and B. rochalimae clades were identified in Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, C. congener, C. assimilis, C. sciurorum, C. solutus, C. bisoctodentatus, Palaeopsylla similis, Megabothris turbidus, and Nosopsyllus fasciatus within all habitats. The presence of Rickettsia helvetica, R. monacensis, and rickettsiae, belonging to the R. akari and R. felis clusters, and endosymbionts with a 96-100% identity with the Rickettsia endosymbiont of Nosopsyllus laeviceps laeviceps were also revealed in C. agyrtes, C. solutus, C. assimilis, C. congener, M. turbidus, and N. fasciatus. Babesia and Hepatozoon DNA was detected in the fleas from all habitat types. Hepatozoon sp. was detected in C. agyrtes, C. assimilis, and M. turbidus, while Babesia microti was identified from C. agyrtes, C. congener, and P. similis. The present study demonstrated the presence of zoonotic pathogens in fleas, parasitizing the wild-living small mammals of southwestern and central Slovakia and widens our knowledge of the ecology and genomic diversity of Bartonella, Rickettsia, Babesia, and Hepatozoon.
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Byers KA, Lee MJ, Hill JE, Fernando C, Speerin L, Donovan CM, Patrick DM, Himsworth CG. Culling of Urban Norway Rats and Carriage of Bartonella spp. Bacteria, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Emerg Infect Dis 2022; 28:1659-1663. [PMID: 35876624 PMCID: PMC9328906 DOI: 10.3201/eid2808.211164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the effects of culling on Bartonella spp. bacteria carriage among urban rats in Canada. We found that the odds of Bartonella spp. carriage increased across city blocks except those in which culling occurred. Removing rats may have prevented an increase in Bartonella spp. prevalence, potentially lowering human health risks.
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Antiparasitic Activity of Tea Tree Oil (TTO) and Its Components against Medically Important Ectoparasites: A Systematic Review. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081587. [PMID: 36015213 PMCID: PMC9416580 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ectoparasites are pathogens that can infect the skin and cause immense pain, discomfort, and disease. They are typically managed with insecticides. However, the fast-emerging antimicrobial resistance and the slow rate of development of new bio-actives combined with environmental and health concerns over the continued use of neurotoxic insecticides warrant newer and alternative methods of control. Tea tree oil (TTO), as an alternative agent, has shown remarkable promise against ectoparasites in recent studies. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to assess preclinical and clinical studies exploring the antiparasitic activity of TTO and its components against clinically significant ectoparasites, such as Demodex mites, scabies mites, house dust mites, lice, fleas, chiggers, and bed bugs. We systematically searched databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE (EBSCOhost), Embase (Scopus), CENTRAL, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SciELO, and LILACS in any language from inception to 4 April 2022. Studies exploring the therapeutic activity of TTO and its components against the ectoparasites were eligible. We used the ToxRTool (Toxicological data reliability assessment) tool, the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools, and the Jadad scale to assess the methodological qualities of preclinical (in vitro and in vivo) studies, non-randomised controlled trials (including cohort, case series, and case studies), and randomised controlled trials, respectively. Of 497 identified records, 71 studies were included in this systematic review, and most (66%) had high methodological quality. The findings of this review revealed the promising efficacy of TTO and its components against ectoparasites of medical importance. Most importantly, the compelling in vitro activity of TTO against ectoparasites noted in this review seems to have translated well into the clinical environment. The promising outcomes observed in clinical studies provide enough evidence to justify the use of TTO in the pharmacotherapy of ectoparasitic infections.
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Zhang Y, Nie Y, Li LY, Chen SY, Liu GH, Liu W. Population genetics and genetic variation of Ctenocephalides felis and Pulex irritans in China by analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial genes. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:266. [PMID: 35897029 PMCID: PMC9327250 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05393-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fleas are the most economically significant blood-feeding ectoparasites worldwide. Ctenocephalides felis and Pulex irritans can parasitize various animals closely related to humans and are of high veterinary significance. Methods In this study, 82 samples were collected from 7 provinces of China. Through studying the nuclear genes ITS1 and EF-1α and two different mitochondrial genes cox1 and cox2, the population genetics and genetic variation of C. felis and P. irritans in China were further investigated. Results The intraspecies differences between C. felis and P. irritans ranged from 0 to 3.9%. The interspecific variance in the EF-1α, cox1, and cox2 sequences was 8.2–18.3%, while the ITS1 sequence was 50.1–52.2%. High genetic diversity was observed in both C. felis and P. irritans, and the nucleotide diversity of cox1 was higher than that of cox2. Moderate gene flow was detected in the C. felis and P. irritans populations. Both species possessed many haplotypes, but the haplotype distribution was uneven. Fu's Fs and Tajima's D tests showed that C. felis and P. irritans experienced a bottleneck effect in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Henan province. Evolutionary analysis suggested that C. felis may have two geographical lineages in China, while no multiple lineages of P.irritans were found. Conclusions Using sequence comparison and the construction of phylogenetic trees, we found a moderate amount of gene flow in the C. felis and P. irritans populations. Both species possessed many haplotypes, but the distribution of haplotypes varied among the provinces. Fu’s Fs and Tajima’s D tests indicated that both species had experienced a bottleneck effect in Guangxi and Henan provinces. Evolutionary analysis suggested that C. felis may have two geographical lineages in China, while no multiple lineages of P.irritans were found. This study will help better understand fleas' population genetics and evolutionary biology. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Nie
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Le-Yan Li
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Shu-Yu Chen
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, China.
| | - Wei Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, China. .,The Key Laboratory of Animal Vaccine & Protein Engineering, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, China.
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Baláž I, Bogdziewicz M, Dziemian-Zwolak S, Presti CL, Wróbel A, Zduniak M, Zwolak R. From trees to fleas: masting indirectly affects flea abundance on a rodent host. Integr Zool 2022; 18:440-452. [PMID: 35848894 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Mast seeding causes strong fluctuations in populations of forest animals. Thus, this phenomenon can be used as a natural experiment to examine how variation in host abundance affects parasite loads. We investigated fleas infesting yellow-necked mice in beech forest after two mast and two non-mast years. We tested two mutually exclusive scenarios: (1) as predicted by classical models of density-dependent transmission, an increase in host density will cause an increase in ectoparasite abundance (defined as the number of parasites per host), vs. (2) an increase in host density will cause a decline in flea abundance ("dilution", which is thought to occur when parasite population growth is slower than that of the host). In addition, we assessed whether masting alters the relationship between host traits (sex and body mass) and flea abundance. We found a hump-shaped relationship between host and flea abundance. Thus, the most basic predictions are too simple to describe ectoparasite dynamics in this system. In addition, masting modified seasonal dynamics of flea abundance, but did not affect the relationship between host traits and flea abundance (individuals with the highest body mass hosted the most fleas; after controlling for body mass, parasite abundance did not vary between sexes). Our results demonstrate that pulses of tree reproduction can indirectly, through changes in host densities, drive patterns of ectoparasite infestation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Baláž
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovenia
| | - Michał Bogdziewicz
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland.,French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, Laboratory of EcoSystems and Societes in Mountain Environments
| | | | | | - Aleksandra Wróbel
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Milena Zduniak
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland
| | - Rafał Zwolak
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland
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Zhang Y, Fu YT, Yao C, Deng YP, Nie Y, Liu GH. Mitochondrial phylogenomics provides insights into the taxonomy and phylogeny of fleas. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:223. [PMID: 35733168 PMCID: PMC9215091 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05334-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are obligatory hematophagous ectoparasites of humans and animals and serve as vectors of many disease-causing agents. Despite past and current research efforts on fleas due to their medical and veterinary importance, correct identification and robust phylogenetic analysis of these ectoparasites have often proved challenging. Methods We decoded the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of the human flea Pulex irritans and nearly complete mt genome of the dog flea Ctenocephalides canis, and subsequently used this information to reconstruct the phylogeny of fleas among Endopterygota insects. Results The complete mt genome of P. irritans was 20,337 bp, whereas the clearly sequenced coding region of the C. canis mt genome was 15,609 bp. Both mt genomes were found to contain 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes. The coding region of the C. canis mt genome was only 93.5% identical to that of the cat flea C. felis, unequivocally confirming that they are distinct species. Our phylogenomic analyses of the mt genomes showed a sister relationship between the order Siphonaptera and orders Diptera + Mecoptera + Megaloptera + Neuroptera and positively support the hypothesis that the fleas in the order Siphonaptera are monophyletic. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the mt genomes of P. irritans and C. canis are different. The phylogenetic tree shows that fleas are monophyletic and strongly support an order-level objective. These mt genomes provide novel molecular markers for studying the taxonomy and phylogeny of fleas in the future. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05334-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan province, China
| | - Yi-Tian Fu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan province, China
| | - Chaoqun Yao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
| | - Yuan-Ping Deng
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan province, China
| | - Yu Nie
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan province, China
| | - Guo-Hua Liu
- Research Center for Parasites & Vectors, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan province, China.
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Boucheikhchoukh M, Mechouk N, Leulmi H, Aouadi A, Benakhla A. Fleas (Siphonaptera) of domestic and wild animals in extreme northeastern Algeria: first inventory, hosts, and medical and veterinary importance. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2022; 47:81-87. [PMID: 36629359 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-47.1.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Fleas are an important member of the North African entomofauna. An understanding of the risks of flea-borne diseases to public and veterinary health can be gained with surveys of their abundance, distribution, and hosts. The aims of this study were to make an initial assessment of flea (Siphonaptera) species collected from a selected number of mammalian hosts in Algeria and debate their medical and veterinary importance. To do so, an entomological survey was conducted on several animal species (goats, dogs, cats, rabbits, hedgehogs, and mongooses) in six localities of El Tarf region located in extreme northeastern Algeria. During the survey, flea specimens were collected from hosts, stored in alcohol, and identified using a taxonomic key. More than 1,200 specimens were collected and identified; including four species: Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides canis, Pulex irritans, and Archaeopsylla erinacei (s.l.). Goats and dogs were the most infested animals, followed by cats and hedgehogs. Ctenocephalides felis was the most prevalent flea among all infested animals, with 631 collected specimens, followed by Pulex irritans with 433 samples. Overall, this study is an initial assessment of flea species recovered from selected common mammals in northeastern Algeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Boucheikhchoukh
- Biodiversity and Ecosystems Pollution Laboratory, Faculty of Life and Nature Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, Algeria,
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, Algeria
| | - Noureddine Mechouk
- Ecology of Terrestrial and Aquatics Systems Laboratory (EcoSTAq), Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Badji Mokhtar University, Algeria
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - Hamza Leulmi
- Qista Techno Bam, Avenue Philibert Aix-En-Provence 13100, France
| | - Atef Aouadi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Mohamed Cherif Messaadia University, Souk Ahras 41000, Algeria
| | - Ahmed Benakhla
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, Algeria
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Kitrytė N, Križanauskienė A, Baltrūnaitė L. Ecological indices and factors influencing communities of ectoparasitic laelapid mites (Acari, Mesostigmata, Laelapidae) of small mammals in Lithuania. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2022; 47:99-108. [PMID: 36629361 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-47.1.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Family Laelapidae is an ecologically diverse group that includes free-living species and parasites of vertebrates and invertebrates. At least seven genera in this family are associated with small mammals. In this study, ectoparasitic laelapid mites of rodents and shrews were investigated in Lithuania. In total, 2,274 small mammal specimens of 12 species were trapped and 6,089 laelapid mites were collected. The updated list of ectoparasitic mites in Lithuania included 21 mite species. Seven mite species were identified as highly specific for a host species or genus, one species was moderately specific, and four mite species were assigned to generalist parasites. All host species had one or two superdominant mite species. The prevalence and mean intensity varied significantly depending on host species and habitat. We analyzed the influence of the host (species, sex, age) and environmental factors (landscape morphology type, habitat, anthropogenic effect) on the abundance of the mite community and most numerous mite species, as well as the impact of the host community (Shannon's diversity index, species richness, host abundance) on mean abundance of the mite community. Only particular host species (Apodemus flavicollis, Microtus agrestis, and Microtus arvalis) and habitats (pastures, mixed forests) influenced the abundance of mites.
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Rousseau J, Castro A, Novo T, Maia C. Dipylidium caninum in the twenty-first century: epidemiological studies and reported cases in companion animals and humans. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:131. [PMID: 35534908 PMCID: PMC9088078 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05243-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dipilidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum. Fleas and, less frequently, lice act as an intermediate host, and their ingestion is required for infection to occur. While the disease mainly affects domestic and wild carnivores, it is also considered a zoonotic disease, with most human cases reported in children. Dipylidium caninum is considered to be the most common tapeworm infesting companion animals, but dipilidosis in humans is rare. The aims of this review were to improve current understanding of the epidemiology of this parasitosis and its management by the medical and veterinary community. Methods A comprehensive review of the published literature during the last 21 years (2000–2021) on the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention measures of D. caninum infection and dipilidiosis in companion animals and humans was conducted. Results Using predefined eligibility criteria for a search of the published literature, we retrieved and screened 280 publications. Of these, 161 (141 epidemiological studies, 20 case reports [16 human cases]) were considered for inclusion in this review. This parasitosis is present worldwide; however, despite being the most frequent cestode infection in animals, it is often underdiagnosed using common coprological techniques. Its diagnosis in humans has also proved challenging, being frequently confused with pinworm infection, leading to inappropriate treatment and to the persistence of the disease over time. Prevention measures include control of ectoparasites in animals and the environment, as well as regular deworming of animals, most commonly with praziquantel. Conclusions The diagnosis of dipilidiosis remains challenging in both animals and humans, primarily due to the low sensitivity of the diagnostic methods currently available and a lack of knowledge of the morphological characteristics of the parasite. Although treatment with the appropriate anti-cestode compounds is well tolerated and results in resolution of the infection, indiscriminate use of these compounds may predispose to an increase in resistance. Given the worldwide distribution of this parasite, it is essential to act on several fronts, with a focus on health education for children and animal owners and the control of intermediate hosts, both in animals and in the surrounding environment. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05243-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Rousseau
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andry Castro
- Centre of Geographical Studies and Associated Laboratory (TERRA), Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning, Universidade de Lisboa, Edif. IGOT, Rua Branca Edmée Marques, 1600-276, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Teresa Novo
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (NOVA), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal.
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Xenopsylla cheopis (rat flea). Trends Parasitol 2022; 38:607-608. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Sridhar R, Dittmar K, Williams HM. USING SURFACE WASHING TO REMOVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT FROM FLEA MICROBIOME ANALYSIS. J Parasitol 2022; 108:245-253. [PMID: 35687318 DOI: 10.1645/21-60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial metabarcoding is a common method to study the biology of blood-feeding arthropods and identify patterns of potential pathogen transmission. Before DNA extraction, specimens are often surface washed to remove environmental contaminants. While surface washing is common, its effects on microbial diversity remain unclear. We characterized the microbiome of the flea species Ceratophyllus idius, an avian ectoparasite, and a potential vector of pathogens, using high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing. Half of the nests from which fleas were collected were subjected to an environmental manipulation in which nesting materials were periodically replaced. In a crossed study design we surface washed half of the flea samples from each environmental condition to produce 4 experimental conditions. Environmental manipulations resulted in significant differences in the diversity and structure of the flea microbiome, but these differences were unapparent when specimens were surface washed. Furthermore, differential abundance testing of the experimental groups revealed that surface washing predominantly affected the abundance of bacterial groups that are characterized as environmental contaminants. These findings suggest that environmental changes primarily affect the surface microbiome of arthropods and that surface washing is a useful tool to reduce the footprint of the external microbiome on analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Sridhar
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260.,College of Medicine, Upstate Medical University, State University of New York, Syracuse, New York 13210
| | - Katharina Dittmar
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260
| | - Heather M Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260.,Department of Environment and Sustainability, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260
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Chiang PS, Su SW, Yang SL, Shu PY, Lee WP, Li SY, Teng HJ. Delayed correlation between the incidence rate of indigenous murine typhus in humans and the seropositive rate of Rickettsia typhi infection in small mammals in Taiwan from 2007–2019. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010394. [PMID: 35468137 PMCID: PMC9071160 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Murine typhus is a flea-borne zoonotic disease with acute febrile illness caused by Rickettsia typhi and is distributed widely throughout the world, particularly in port cities and coastal regions. We observed that murine typhus was an endemic disease (number of annual indigenous cases = 29.23±8.76) with a low incidence rate (0.13±2.03*10−4 per 100,000 person-years) in Taiwan from 2007–2019. Most (45.79%, 174/380) indigenous infections were reported in May, June, and July. The incidence rates in both May and June were statistically higher than those in other months (p<0.05). Correspondingly, sera collected from small mammals (rodents and shrews) trapped in airports and harbors demonstrated anti-R. typhi antibody responses (seropositive rate = 8.24±0.33%). Interestingly, the ports with the highest seropositivity rates in small mammals are all inside/near the areas with the highest incidence rates of indigenous murine typhus. In addition, incidence rates in humans were positively correlated with the 1-month and 2-month prior seropositive rates in small mammals (R = 0.31 and 0.37, respectively). As early treatment with appropriate antibiotics for murine typhus could effectively shorten the duration of illness and reduce the risk of hospitalization and fatality, flea-related exposure experience should be considered in clinics during peak seasons and the months after a rise in seropositivity rates in small mammals. Surveillance in small mammals might be helpful for the development of real-time reporting or even early reminders for physicians of sporadic murine typhus cases based on the delayed correlation observed in this study. Murine typhus is a flea-borne zoonotic disease with acute febrile illness caused by Rickettsia typhi and is distributed widely throughout the world, particularly in port cities and coastal regions. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics for murine typhus could effectively shorten the duration of illness and reduce the risk of hospitalization and fatality. However, it presents with nonspecific symptoms and is oftentimes misdiagnosed. In Taiwan, murine typhus has been designated a notifiable disease since 2007. Meanwhile, surveillance of R. typhi infection of small mammals was also launched at 25 international airports and harbors. Since then, we observed that indigenous murine typhus patients have been detected in Taiwan annually and sera collected from small mammals trapped in ports also demonstrated anti-R. typhi antibody responses. Correspondingly, the ports with the highest seropositivity are all inside/near the areas with the highest incidence rate of indigenous murine typhus in Taiwan. We further found that incidence rates in humans were positively correlated with the 1-month and 2-month prior seropositive rates in small mammals. Surveillance in small mammals might be helpful for the development of real-time reporting or even early reminders of sporadic murine typhus cases based on the delayed correlation observed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pai-Shan Chiang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Wei Su
- Division of Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Su-Lin Yang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yun Shu
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wang-Ping Lee
- Division of Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Ying Li
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hwa-Jen Teng
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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