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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, 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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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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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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Santoro D, Pucheu-Haston CM, Prost C, Mueller RS, Jackson H. Clinical signs and diagnosis of feline atopic syndrome: detailed guidelines for a correct diagnosis. Vet Dermatol 2021; 32:26-e6. [PMID: 33470017 DOI: 10.1111/vde.12935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feline atopic syndrome (FAS) describes a spectrum of hypersensitivity disorders characterised by highly diverse clinical presentations including skin, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. Among these disorders is feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS), in which hypersensitivity is typically associated with environmental allergens, although food allergy may coexist. Involvement of other organ systems (e.g. asthma) also may occur. Because of its highly heterogeneous clinical presentation, diagnosis of FASS can be challenging. OBJECTIVES A subgroup of the International Committee on Allergic Diseases of Animals was tasked to summarise the most current information on the clinical presentations of FASS and to develop diagnostic guidelines. METHODS AND MATERIALS Online citation databases and abstracts from international meetings were searched for publications related to feline allergic conditions. These were combined with expert opinion where necessary. RESULTS A total of 107 publications relevant to this review were identified. Compilation of these data enabled development of a detailed description of the clinical features of FASS and development of guidelines focusing on systematic elimination of other skin conditions with similar clinical characteristics. As allergen tests are frequently used by dermatologists to support a clinical diagnosis of FASS, a brief review of these methodologies was also performed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE In a similar way to atopic dermatitis in dogs, FASS is a clinical diagnosis based on the presence of compatible clinical signs and exclusion of other diseases with similar clinical features. Elimination or exclusion of fleas/flea allergy, other parasites, infections and food allergy is mandatory before reaching a diagnosis of FASS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Santoro
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Cherie M Pucheu-Haston
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, 1909 Skip Bertman Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | | | - Ralf S Mueller
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinaerstr. 13, Munich, 50319, Germany
| | - Hilary Jackson
- Dermatology Referral Service, 528 Paisley Road West, Glasgow, G51 1RN, UK
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Betancourt-Ruiz P, Martínez-Díaz HC, Gil-Mora J, Ospina C, Olaya-M LA, Benavides E, Bolaños E, Cuervo C, Blanton L, Hidalgo M. Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis in Cat Fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) Collected from Dogs and Cats in Cauca, Colombia. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 57:382-387. [PMID: 31617911 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjz177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) are flea-transmitted pathogens. They are important causes of acute febrile illness throughout the world. We, therefore, sought to identify the rickettsial species present in the fleas of dogs and cats in the department of Cauca, Colombia. In this study, we collected 1,242 fleas from 132 dogs and 43 fleas from 11 cats. All fleas were morphologically identified as Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché) adults and organized in pools for DNA extraction (234 pools from dogs and 11 from cats). The gltA gene from rickettsiae was targeted for screening amplification using conventional PCR. In total, 144 of the 245 pools (58.7%) were positive. The positive samples were then processed for the amplification of the 17kDa antigen gene (144/144; 100% positive) and sca5 gene (140/144; 97.2% positive). In addition, restriction enzyme length polymorphism analysis using NlaIV on the amplified product of the sca5 gene demonstrated several organisms: 21/140 (15%) were R. felis, 118/140 (84.3%) were Rickettsia asemboensis, and 1/140 (0.7%) were Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis. Subsequent sequencing confirmed Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis in C. felis collected from dogs the first reported from Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Betancourt-Ruiz
- Grupo de enfermedades infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Heidy-C Martínez-Díaz
- Grupo de enfermedades infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juliana Gil-Mora
- Grupo de enfermedades infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Catalina Ospina
- Grupo Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Efraín Benavides
- Grupo Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Claudia Cuervo
- Grupo de enfermedades infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Lucas Blanton
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Marylin Hidalgo
- Grupo de enfermedades infecciosas, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
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Lavan R, Armstrong R, Burgio F, Tunceli K. Duration of annual canine flea and tick protection provided by dog owners in Spain. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:458. [PMID: 30086779 PMCID: PMC6081898 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3043-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Doses of flea and tick medication acquired by dog owners over a 12 month period were determined from veterinary hospital transaction records in Spain. The number of months of flea and tick protection potentially obtained by dog owners prescribed fluralaner, a flea and tick medication with a 12 week re-dosing interval, was compared with months of flea and tick protection obtained by dog owners prescribed monthly oral or spot-on products. Prior studies in human and veterinary medicine have suggested that longer-acting medications benefit patients by providing improved adherence to provider recommendations. Results Dog owners took home, on average, significantly more months of protection when they obtained the 12 week duration product fluralaner (4.3 months) than they did when they obtained other flea and tick products providing 1 month of protection [3.24 months (oral), 2.9 months (spot-on)]. Many dog owners (46–64%) obtained only one dose of flea and tick product each year, regardless of the duration of protection offered by the product. Significantly more dog owners obtained 7–12 months of protection when they were prescribed fluralaner (15.7%) by their veterinarians compared with dog owners prescribed monthly flea and tick products [6.8% (oral), 8.3% (spot-on)]. Conclusion Veterinary prescription of fluralaner delivers more months of potential flea and tick protection as shown by dog owner acquisition of flea and tick medication. The use of a longer-acting medication requires the administration of fewer doses and may translate into better adherence to veterinary ectoparasite control recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Lavan
- Outcomes Research, MSD Animal Health, Center for Observational and Real-World Evidence, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.
| | - Rob Armstrong
- MSD Animal Health, 2 Giralda Farms, Madison, NJ, USA
| | - Federica Burgio
- MSD Animal Health, Polígono Industrial El Montalvo. C/ Zeppelin, 6 - Parcela 38, 37008 Carbajosa de La Sagrada, Salamanca, España
| | - Kaan Tunceli
- Outcomes Research, MSD Animal Health, Center for Observational and Real-World Evidence, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
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López-Pérez AM, Gage K, Rubio AV, Montenieri J, Orozco L, Suzan G. Drivers of flea (Siphonaptera) community structure in sympatric wild carnivores in northwestern Mexico. JOURNAL OF VECTOR ECOLOGY : JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR VECTOR ECOLOGY 2018; 43:15-25. [PMID: 29757526 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Host identity, habitat type, season, and interspecific interactions were investigated as determinants of the community structure of fleas on wild carnivores in northwestern Mexico. A total of 540 fleas belonging to seven species was collected from 64 wild carnivores belonging to eight species. We found that the abundances of some flea species are explained by season and host identity. Pulex irritans and Echidnophaga gallinacea abundances were significantly higher in spring than in fall season. Flea communities on carnivore hosts revealed three clusters with a high degree of similarity within each group that was explained by the flea dominance of E. gallinacea, P. simulans, and P. irritans across host identity. Flea abundances did not differ statistically among habitat types. Finally, we found a negative correlation between the abundances of three flea species within wild carnivore hosts. Individual hosts with high loads of P. simulans males usually had significantly lower loads of P. irritans males or tend to have lower loads of E. gallinacea fleas and vice-versa. Additionally, the logistic regression model showed that the presence of P. simulans males is more likely to occur in wild carnivore hosts in which P. irritans males are absent and vice-versa. These results suggest that there is an apparent competitive exclusion among fleas on wild carnivores. The study of flea community structure on wild carnivores is important to identify the potential flea vectors for infectious diseases and provide information needed to design programs for human health and wildlife conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés M López-Pérez
- Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México D.F., México
- Fundación para el Manejo y la Conservación de la Vida Silvestre FMCOVIS A.C. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Kenneth Gage
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, U.S.A
| | - Andre V Rubio
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile
| | - John Montenieri
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, U.S.A
| | - Libertad Orozco
- Fundación para el Manejo y la Conservación de la Vida Silvestre FMCOVIS A.C. Ciudad de México, México
| | - Gerardo Suzan
- Departamento de Etología, Fauna Silvestre y Animales de Laboratorio, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México D.F., México
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Rust MK. The Biology and Ecology of Cat Fleas and Advancements in Their Pest Management: A Review. INSECTS 2017; 8:E118. [PMID: 29077073 PMCID: PMC5746801 DOI: 10.3390/insects8040118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The cat flea Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché) is the most important ectoparasite of domestic cats and dogs worldwide. It has been two decades since the last comprehensive review concerning the biology and ecology of C. f. felis and its management. Since then there have been major advances in our understanding of the diseases associated with C. f. felis and their implications for humans and their pets. Two rickettsial diseases, flea-borne spotted fever and murine typhus, have been identified in domestic animal populations and cat fleas. Cat fleas are the primary vector of Bartonella henselae (cat scratch fever) with the spread of the bacteria when flea feces are scratched in to bites or wounds. Flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) common in dogs and cats has been successfully treated and tapeworm infestations prevented with a number of new products being used to control fleas. There has been a continuous development of new products with novel chemistries that have focused on increased convenience and the control of fleas and other arthropod ectoparasites. The possibility of feral animals serving as potential reservoirs for flea infestations has taken on additional importance because of the lack of effective environmental controls in recent years. Physiological insecticide resistance in C. f. felis continues to be of concern, especially because pyrethroid resistance now appears to be more widespread. In spite of their broad use since 1994, there is little evidence that resistance has developed to many of the on-animal or oral treatments such as fipronil, imidacloprid or lufenuron. Reports of the perceived lack of performance of some of the new on-animal therapies have been attributed to compliance issues and their misuse. Consequentially, there is a continuing need for consumer awareness of products registered for cats and dogs and their safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Rust
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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Gálvez R, Musella V, Descalzo MA, Montoya A, Checa R, Marino V, Martín O, Cringoli G, Rinaldi L, Miró G. Modelling the current distribution and predicted spread of the flea species Ctenocephalides felis infesting outdoor dogs in Spain. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:428. [PMID: 28927433 PMCID: PMC6389158 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2357-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is the most prevalent flea species detected on dogs and cats in Europe and other world regions. The status of flea infestation today is an evident public health concern because of their cosmopolitan distribution and the flea-borne diseases transmission. This study determines the spatial distribution of the cat flea C. felis infesting dogs in Spain. Using geospatial tools, models were constructed based on entomological data collected from dogs during the period 2013–2015. Bioclimatic zones, covering broad climate and vegetation ranges, were surveyed in relation to their size. Results The models builded were obtained by negative binomial regression of several environmental variables to show impacts on C. felis infestation prevalence: land cover, bioclimatic zone, mean summer and autumn temperature, mean summer rainfall, distance to urban settlement and normalized difference vegetation index. In the face of climate change, we also simulated the future distributions of C. felis for the global climate model (GCM) “GFDL-CM3” and for the representative concentration pathway RCP45, which predicts their spread in the country. Conclusions Predictive models for current climate conditions indicated the widespread distribution of C. felis throughout Spain, mainly across the central northernmost zone of the mainland. Under predicted conditions of climate change, the risk of spread was slightly greater, especially in the north and central peninsula, than for the current situation. The data provided will be useful for local veterinarians to design effective strategies against flea infestation and the pathogens transmitted by these arthropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Gálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vicenzo Musella
- Department of Health Sciences, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Miguel A Descalzo
- Unidad de Investigación, Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología, Calle Ferraz, 100, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Montoya
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocío Checa
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, Madrid, Spain
| | - Valentina Marino
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, Madrid, Spain
| | - Oihane Martín
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, Madrid, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Regional Centre for Monitoring of Parasitic Diseases, Campania Region, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Regional Centre for Monitoring of Parasitic Diseases, Campania Region, Naples, Italy
| | - Guadalupe Miró
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda. Puerta de Hierro s/n, Madrid, Spain.
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