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Isolation of Mycoplasma felis from a serval (Felis serval) with severe respiratory disease.

We report cytologic observations and isolation of Mycoplasma felis in September 1992 from the lower respiratory tract of a 3-week-old captive serval (Felis serval) cub with pneumonia, in Florida (USA). Septic, neutrophilic inflammation with a large, monomorphic population of unique, pleomorphic, intracellular and extracellular rods was diagnosed from a transtracheal wash. Mycoplasma felis was the only bacterium isolated in significant numbers from the transtracheal wash.

Animals↗

Efficacy dosage titration of lufenuron against developmental stages of fleas (Ctenocephalides felis felis) in cats.

Thirty-two mixed-breed male and female cats were blocked by sex, arranged by body weight from greatest to least, and allocated to 4 groups of 8 (4 male, 4 female) cats, using random numbers. Cats in each of 3 groups were treated orally with a 7% suspension formulation of lufenuron at dosage of 15, 30, or 45 mg/kg of body weight. Cats in the fourth group were treated orally with an excipient suspension without lufenuron. Cats were infested with newly emerged, unfed cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis felis) on days -7 and -3 before treatment and at approximately weekly intervals after treatment. Flea eggs were collected from beneath each cat on selected days before and after treatment and placed in an artificial rearing medium. Flea eggs and medium were kept for 35 days in an insectary to determine effects of lufenuron or excipient suspension on emergence of adults of the F1 generation. Lufenuron was 100% effective in inhibiting development of C felis at all dosages for 11 days after treatment. Thereafter, efficacy exceeded 92% in all dosages groups. On day 32, when the study was terminated, efficacy for each of the dosage groups was: 15 mg/kg, 95.2%; 30 mg/kg, 98.2%; and 45 mg/kg, 99.6%. Adverse reactions or side effects were not observed in cats, regardless of treatment dosage.

Administration, Oral↗

Prevalence of rickettsia felis-like and Bartonella Spp. in Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis from La Rioja (Northern Spain).

Our aim was to determine the presence of Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. in Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis from La Rioja (Spain). A total of 88 specimens were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using gltA and ompB genes as targets for Rickettsia spp., and 16S rRNA and ribC genes for Bartonella spp. Rickettsia felis-like (28.4%), Bartonella clarridgeiae (6.8%), and Bartonella henselae (3.4%) were detected in Ctenocephalides spp. Other Bartonella sp. different from B. clarridgeiae and B. henselae could also be present in fleas from La Rioja.

Animals↗

Effects on the development of Dipylidium caninum and on the host reaction to this parasite in the adult flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis).

Temperature was found to be a major factor affecting the development of Dipylidium caninum and the presence of a host reaction of adult Ctenocephalides felis felis to D. caninum. Adult fleas reared at 30-32 degrees C contained fully developed metacestodes when they emerged from their cocoons. However at lower temperatures, D. caninum could not complete development until the flea hosts had spent some time on their mammalian hosts. It was the surface temperature of the mammals (31-36 degrees C) and not the fleas' blood meals which resulted in the metacestodes completing their development. This development of D. caninum was therefore independent of the flea development. At 20 degrees C, a larger and more prolonged host reaction was mounted than at higher temperatures. The larval flea diet had a small effect on the subsequent cestode development and the adult fleas' reaction to it.

Animals↗

Factors affecting the development of Dipylidium caninum in Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835).

Ctenocephalides felis felis larvae were infected with Dipylidium caninum at a range of temperatures from 20 degrees - 35 degrees C at 3 mm Hg saturation deficit (SD) and 30 degrees C at 8 mm Hg SD. Hosts were subsequently dissected at 6, 9 and 12 days after infection. Four replicate experiments were performed and results of development, and host reactions analysed by the Genstat computer programme. These were found to depend on the temperature and saturation deficit of the environment. Unlike previous findings, parasite development and host reaction were found to be independent of host development. Host reaction was more marked and prolonged at 20 degrees - 25 degrees C than at higher temperatures. No perceptible growth of the parasite occurred at 20 degrees C. The development patterns of growth at the higher temperatures were similar but shifted in time so that faster growth occurred at higher temperatures. Rate of growth was fastest at 35 degrees C, despite the fact that this temperature was unfavourable to the hosts, all of which died at the time of pupation.

Animals↗

An attempt to protect cats against infestation with Ctenocephalides felis felis using gut membrane antigens as a vaccine.

Cats (n = 5) were vaccinated with membrane antigens extracted from the gut of unfed fleas (Ctenocephalides felis felis) together with Quil A and RIBI as adjuvants. Five unvaccinated cats were retained as controls. All the cats were infested on 6 separate occasions with fleas (46-250 per challenge). Protection was assessed from the number of fleas retrieved and the fecundity of the female fleas, measured as the number of developed oocytes contained in the reproductive tract. Cats injected with gut membrane antigens had significantly elevated levels of anti-flea antibodies in their sera, but they were neither protected significantly against infestation with fleas nor was the apparent fecundity of fleas which had fed on vaccinated cats decreased. The possible reason why gut membrane antigens failed to protect cats against fleas are discussed.

Animals↗

Mortality in calves, lambs and kids caused by severe infestation with the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835) in Israel.

Heavy infestation of calves, lambs and kids with the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835), accompanied by severe anaemia and mortality, is described. Lambs and kids were affected more severely than calves. Flea infestation was more widespread in summer and autumn than in winter and spring. The clinical findings are discussed in the light of the pertinent literature.

Anemia↗

Host association, on-host longevity and egg production of Ctenocephalides felis felis.

Host association, on-host longevity and egg production of Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché) were evaluated using fleas from a commercial laboratory colony and first generation, laboratory-reared, native Indiana fleas. Fleas were placed on cats that were declawed, fitted with Elizabethan collars and housed in specially designed metabolic cages. An average of 85% of the female and 58% of the male fleas stayed continuously on the cats for at least 50 days, indicating that the cat flea is a permanent ectoparasite. The maximum longevity of the cat flea was not determined, but it was shown that it can survive and reproduce on the cat for at least 113 days. A female cat flea may produce up to 1745 eggs during a 50-day period.

Animals↗

Endosymbionts of Ctenocephalides felis felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) obtained from dogs captured in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Specimens of fleas Ctenocephalides felis felis (1052 female symbol/448 male symbol), obtained from 150 dogs in Centro de Controle de Zoonoses de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were dissected and examined for endosymbionts. Three protozoan, Nolleria pulicis, a gregarine (Actinocephalidae) and Leptomonas sp., together with one cestode, Dipylidium caninum were identified. Infections by N. pulicis and Leptomonas sp. occurred mainly in the warm-rainy period. The prevalence and distribution of these endosymbionts in fleas derived from Brazil and South America, and the their variation according to sex and season, are reported for the first time.

Animals↗

Disposition of 3H-selamectin and 3H-ivermectin in the brain of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis felis using micro-image analysis.

In addition to intrinsic potency and metabolic stability, the disposition of an antiparasitic drug within the target parasite plays a major role in determining drug activity. A novel technique that allows the disposition of radiolabelled drugs to be visualised within the body of the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis) is described. The concentrations of two macrocyclic lactones, (3)H-selamectin and (3)H-ivermectin, within the supra- and sub-oesophageal ganglia of the flea brain following in vitro feeding of fleas on different doses of drug solubilised in calf blood have been measured. Drug disposition was visualised in cryostat sections of fleas using a micro-image analysis (MIA). A relationship between the concentration of radioactivity in the ganglia and the dose of drug in the blood meal was obtained. The concentration of selamectin in the ganglia was significantly higher than ivermectin at all doses investigated. The enhanced concentration of selamectin, at a site rich in glutamate-gated chloride channels may, in part, explain the higher potency of selamectin against fleas compared to ivermectin.

Animals↗

Putative salivary allergens of the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis.

The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis, is the major initiator of flea bite hypersensitivity in dogs. Previous analyses of whole extracts of the flea and flea salivary secretions have failed to identify the allergens responsible. We dissected >2000 salivary glands from adult female fleas, extracted them into buffered saline containing protease inhibitors and fractionated the extract using gel permeation HPLC. Dogs were classified as hypersensitive to fleas (flea-feeding positive, FF+) or insensitive (flea-feeding negative, FF-) using a provocative test with live fleas. The allergenicity of the components of the salivary gland extract was tested by intradermal injection of samples of the column eluates. Dogs were also injected intradermally with a sample of whole salivary gland extract, and with histamine as a positive control. Negative control injections consisted of eluate from the column collected prior to fractions containing any protein. The skin of FF- dogs either did not respond or had a minimal response (a bleb approximately 2 mm larger than the injection blebs at the negative control injection sites) to all fractions and to the whole extract; histamine control injections produced positive responses (defined as wheals 5 mm greater than the blebs at the negative control injection sites) in all dogs. The skin of three of the nine FF+ dogs reacted positively to injection of a fraction containing protein/s with apparent MW 40k. Five other FF+ dogs reacted positively to the fractions containing proteins with apparent MW 12-8k. A single dog responded with very large, red wheals to injection of both the approximately MW 40k and MW12-8k fractions. These findings suggest that proteins with apparent MW 40k and MW 12k-8k are important in flea bite hypersensitivity. This work also supports a previous finding that mice which had been exposed to flea bites had antibodies to proteins with approximately MW 40k that were detected in salivary secretions of the flea.

Allergens↗

Efficacy of selamectin in the treatment and prevention of flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis) infestations on dogs and cats housed in simulated home environments.

The efficacy of selamectin, a novel avermectin, in protecting dogs and cats against experimentally induced environmental flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis) infestations, was evaluated in a series of controlled and masked studies. Purpose-bred shorthaired cats and Beagles were randomly allocated to treatment with either selamectin at a minimum dosage of 6mgkg(-1) of body weight in the commercial formulation or the negative control treatment (vehicle only), and housed in controlled simulated home environments capable of supporting the flea life cycle. Day 0 was defined as the first day of treatment. Treatments were administered topically in a single spot on the skin at the base of the neck in front of the scapulae. In environmental challenge studies, which were designed to evaluate the efficacy of selamectin in the treatment and control of established flea infestations, dogs and cats were each infested with 100 fleas on days -28 and -21 and placed in carpeted rooms in order to establish high levels of active flea infestation prior to day 0. Treatments were administered monthly for 3 months. Flea comb counts were performed on days 14, 29, 44, 59, 74, and 90. Reductions in geometric mean flea comb counts for selamectin, compared with vehicle, were >99% from day 14 onwards for dogs, and >92% on day 29 and >99% on days 44, 59, 74, and 90 for cats (P=0.0001). In prevention of environmental infestation studies, dogs and cats were placed in environments capable of supporting flea infestations and given monthly treatments for 2 months, commencing on day 0. Animals were infested with 100 fleas on days 1 and 7, and flea comb counts were performed on days 29, 44, and 60. Reductions in geometric mean flea comb counts for selamectin, compared with vehicle, were >99% on days 29, 44, and 60 (P=0.0001) for dogs and cats. Monthly administration of selamectin to dogs and cats housed in environments highly suited to completion of the flea life cycle was shown to be highly effective in the treatment and prevention of flea infestations, without the need for supplementary environmental control measures.

Administration, Topical↗

Evaluation of the comparative efficacy of selamectin against flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis) infestations on dogs and cats in simulated home environments.

The comparative efficacy of monthly administration of selamectin or lufenuron against Ctenocephalides felis felis on dogs and cats was evaluated over a 5-month period in flea-infested environments. Twenty-four dogs and 32 cats were randomly allocated to receiving a topical treatment with selamectin or an oral administration of tablets containing lufenuron/milbemycin oxime (for dogs) or lufenuron only (for cats). Each product was administered in accordance with the manufacturer's label recommendations. Eight dogs and four cats served as untreated sentinels. Treatments were administered on days 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120. Each animal received an application of 100 fleas on days -28 and -21, and then weekly applications of 20 fleas from days 91 through 147. Flea comb counts were performed on day -6, and every 2 weeks after day 0. From day 29 (dogs) or day 44 (cats) to day 150, geometric mean flea counts for selamectin were < or =0.4. Mean flea counts for animals assigned to treatment with selamectin were significantly lower (P=0.0001) than for animals assigned to treatment with lufenuron at all assessments after day 0.

Animals↗

Perceptual and acoustic evidence for species-level differences in meow vocalizations by domestic cats (Felis catus) and African wild cats (Felis silvestris lybica).

To test for possible anthropogenic selection effects on meows in domestic felids, vocalizations by domestic cats (Felis catus) were compared with cries by their closest wild relative, the African wild cat (Felis silvestris lybica). Comparisons included analysis of acoustic characteristics and perceptual studies with human (Homo sapiens) listeners. The perceptual studies obtained human listener ratings of call pleasantness. Both the acoustic and perceptual comparisons revealed clear species-level differences: The domestic cat meows were significantly shorter in mean duration than the wild cat meows, showed higher mean formant frequencies, and exhibited higher mean fundamental frequencies. Human listeners at all levels of experience and affinity for cats rated domestic cat meows as far more pleasant sounding than wild cat vocalizations. These results are consistent with a model of cat domestication that posits selective pressure on meows based on human perceptual biases.

Acoustics↗

Salivary antigens of the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis.

The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis, is the major cause of flea bite hypersensitivity (FBH) in dogs and cats, yet little progress has been reported on identifying the antigens responsible. We obtained flea salivary antigens by washing secretions from containers probed by the mouthparts of fleas, and by extracting whole flea salivary glands. Mice were exposed to feeding fleas to generate antibodies to salivary antigens injected in vivo. The sera were tested for antibodies against the salivary antigens described and against a whole flea extract; in indirect ELISA, antibodies to salivary secretions were detected in 60% of the sera from mice exposed to feeding fleas. These sera identified four protein bands at apparent MW 56, 54, 42 and 40 K which corresponded to prominent protein bands in whole salivary gland extracts identified by protein staining after SDS-PAGE. Fixed sections of whole fleas exposed to the antisera showed that only structures within the salivary glands were identified. The salivary secretions and gland extracts are now being used to study immune responses of dogs suffering from FBH.

Animals↗

Effects of larval nutrition on the postembryonic development of Ctenocephalides felis felis (Siphonaptera:Pulicidae).

Dry blood from mammals and birds was used as larval diet for the development of the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché), in the laboratory. Diets that contained host blood and cornmeal heated at 40 degrees C for 30 min were inadequate for most larvae to form pupae. Development time from 1st instar to adult ranged from 30 to 33 d. Except for the diet containing Mastomys blood, the diets that consisted of blood alone from other hosts air dried at room temperature contained sufficient nutritional value to allow adults to be obtained from > 51.7% of larvae fed these diets. Adults were obtained from > 81% of pupae. Although the Mastomys or mouse blood contributed to better diets than the dog or pigeon blood through shorter developmental time from 1st instar to adults, greater numbers of pupae and adults were obtained from diets that contained dog and mouse blood. Highly significant differences existed between pigeon and Mastomys blood in relation to the number of cocoons formed and between pigeon and dog blood or pigeon and mouse blood in relation to adult emergence. Differences between dog and mouse blood in the larval diet were significant only in relation to mortality that occurred to the pupae.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗