Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Flea Infestations”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Detection and characterization of feline Bartonella henselae in the Czech Republic.

The aims of the study were to characterize isolates of Bartonella henselae and to determine the prevalence of bacteremic domestic cats in urban and suburban parts of Prague, Czech Republic. Five (18%) gram-negative fastidious bacterial single-cat isolates were recovered from 27 hemocultures incubated without previous freezing. Four of these isolates originated from flea infested stray cats (n=6) and one from a shelter cat without any ectoparasites (n=21). None of the 34 previously frozen specimens from flea free pet cats yielded any bacteria. All five isolates were catalase and oxidase negative. Their enzymatic activity, RFLP profile of citrate synthetase gene (gltA) and DNA-DNA hybridization results were typical of B. henselae. According to their PvuII and BglI ribotypes the isolates could be allocated to two homogeneous groups. Ribotype HindIII and RFLP of 16S-23S rRNA spacer region analysis gave unique profiles different from those of Bartonella quintana, Bartonella elizabethae and Bartonella clarridgeiae. The 16S rRNA type-specific amplification revealed an identical profile typical of B. henselae genotype II for all the cat isolates studied. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) assigned a different profile to each of the isolates studied. Determination of the enzymatic activity, RFLP of gltA gene, RFLP of 16S-23S rRNA spacer region, and HindIII ribotype could be efficient tools for identification of B. henselae isolates. Ribotyping (PvuII, BglI), 16S rRNA typing and PFGE may be useful methods to prospect ecology and epidemiology of the agent.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Age-dependent flea (Siphonaptera) parasitism in rodents: a host's life history matters.

We studied age-dependent patterns of flea infestation in 7 species of rodents from Slovakia (Apodemus agrarius, A. flavicollis, A. sylvaticus, A. uralensis, Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus arvalis, and M. subterraneus). We estimated the age of the host from its body mass and expected the host age-dependent pattern of flea abundance, the level of aggregation, and prevalence to be in agreement with theoretical predictions. We expected that the mean abundance and the level of aggregation of fleas would be lowest in hosts of smallest and largest size classes and highest in hosts of medium size classes, whereas pattern of variation of prevalence with host age would be either convex or asymptotic. In general, mean abundance and species richness of fleas increased with an increase in host age, although the pressure of flea parasitism in terms of number of fleas per unit host body surface decreased with host age. We found 2 clear patterns of the change in flea aggregation and prevalence with host age. The first pattern demonstrated a peak of flea aggregation and a trough of flea prevalence in animals of middle age classes (Apodemus species and C. glareolus). The second pattern was an increase of both flea aggregation and flea prevalence with host age (both Microtus species). Consequently, we did not find unequivocal evidence for the main role of either parasite-induced host mortality or acquired resistance in host age-dependent pattern of flea parasitism. Our results suggest that this pattern can be generated by various processes and is strongly affected by natural history parameters of a host species such as dispersal pattern, spatial distribution, and structure of shelters.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

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↗
PubMed2002

Flea species from dogs in three cities of Chile.

The purpose of this study was to establish the pattern of flea infestation in dogs in the cities of Santiago (33 degrees latitude south, 70 degrees longitude west), Concepción (36 degrees latitude south, 73 degrees longitude west) and Osorno (40 degrees latitude south, 73 degrees longitude west), located in different parts of Chile. The only species of fleas found on dogs from the three cities were Ctenocephalides felis felis (41.8%), Ctenocephalides canis (39.4%) and Pulex irritans (18.8%). Although the three species were found in the three cities, differences regarding their frequencies were detected (p<0.05). C. felis was the predominant species found on dogs in Santiago (80.5%). In Concepción, their frequencies followed a similar trend. However in Osorno, the most southern city, the predominant species was C. canis (78.7%).

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Feline atopy in three littermates.

This case report describes the history, clinical signs and diagnosis of a pruritic skin disease in three sibling cats living the same household. Clinical signs consistent with pruritus (i.e. hair pulling, hair loss, excessive grooming and face rubbing) were first noted when the cats were 6 months of age. The cats were treated for a possible ear mite and/or flea infestation; there was no response to treatment and clinical signs progressed. Although the presence of pruritus in a multiple cat household suggested an infectious or contagious aetiology, none could be identified. There was no improvement in clinical signs after a 60-day flea control trial, three treatments of ivermectin, an 8-week restricted diet or removal from the home for 10 days. A diagnosis of feline atopy was made on the basis of elimination of other causes of pruritus, consistent history and clinical signs, a positive intradermal skin test and response to therapy.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Plague in Lushoto district, Tanzania, 1980-1988.

Rodents were live-trapped in selected plague-inflicted villages from June 1980 to March 1988. Flea infestation rates were determined and the animals were serologically tested for plague. Clinically suspected and clinically healthy people in the affected areas were similarly tested for plague antibodies. Of 1596 rodent sera tested, 91 (5.7%) were positive for plague. These were mostly from Rattus rattus, Mastomys natalensis, Otomys spp. and Pelomys fallax. A total of 1772 fleas, of which Dinopsyllus lypusus, Xenopsylla brasiliensis and Ctenophthalmus calceatus comprised the largest proportion, was collected from the captured rodents. Total flea indices ranged from 0.67 to 1.12 fleas per rodent. A total of 2809 human cases and a mortality rate of 10.2% were recorded in 1980-1988. It was concluded that most rodent species in the area were suitable reservoirs of plague and that D. lypusus, X. brasiliensis and C. calceatus were probably responsible for transmitting the pathogen. Lack of effective quarantine measures during outbreaks was partly responsible for the spread of the disease to many villages, while inadequate rodent and flea control and poor sanitary measures could be responsible for continued outbreaks of plague in the area.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Efficacy of nitenpyram as a systemic flea adulticide in dogs and cats.

In a clinical trial involving 123 cats and 88 dogs, the efficacy of tablets containing nitenpyram against natural flea infestations was investigated. The animals were selected from the routine cases of nine veterinary clinics in the UK and 143 were treated with the tablets and 68 control animals were treated with placebo tablets. Each animal was maintained in an individual cage. The time when the first fleas fell off each animal was recorded between 30 minutes and five hours after treatment, and six hours after treatment the numbers of live, moribund or dead fleas on each animal were determined, and the flea survival rate was calculated. The drug's efficacy was assessed by comparing the mean survival rates of fleas on the treated and control animals. Fleas started to fall from the animals 30 minutes after treatment and two hours after treatment some fleas had detached from 81 per cent of the treated animals. After six hours the efficacy of the drug reached 96.7 per cent on dogs and 95.2 per cent on cats, and 85.9 per cent of the fleas were found off the treated animals, compared with 1.8 per cent in the controls. No adverse drug reactions were recorded during the trial.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Mesostigmatid mite infestations of rodents in diverse biotopes of central and southern India.

Examination of 165 rodents trapped in domestic, peridomestic, and feral biotopes of central and southern India revealed the presence of 1,359 mesostigmatid mites. Rodents in central India were infested with 1 species of mite, Laelaps nuttalli; 98% of these mites were recovered from the peridomestic rodent Bandicota bengalensis. Material from the burrow nest of a peridomestic rodent examined in central India revealed the mite, Hypoaspis miles. Rodents from the diverse biotopes of southern India were infested by 8 species of mites: L. nuttalli, Laelaps buxtoni, Laelaps myonyssognathus, Androlaelaps aduncus, Androlaelaps marshalli, Androlaelaps sp. A, Hypoaspis sp. 1, and Hypoaspis sp. 2. Sheep from nearby villages regularly graze in feral biotopes. From the hair of these sheep, 2 species of mesostigmatid mites were recovered, A. aduncus and A. marshalli. The sheep appeared to aid the dispersal of rodent-infesting mites passively. Laelaps nuttalli was the predominant mite species found on the peridomestic rodent B. bengalensis. In both central and southern India, the prevalence, mean intensity, and relative density of this mite were much higher on peridomestic rodents than on domestic and feral rodents. A significant negative correlation was found between the numbers of mites and fleas infesting rodents in central India. A highly significant positive association between A. marshalli and A. aduncus on the feral rodent Tatera indica was recorded. In southern India, the overall prevalence of the 8 species of mites was highest on Mus platythrix. However, the combined prevalence of these mites on 2 feral rodents T. indica and M. platythrix was lower than their prevalence on B. bengalensis. Similarly, the combined values for mean intensity and relative density of these mites on the 2 feral rodents were lower than on the peridomestic rodent B. bengalensis.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Contrasting dynamics of Bartonella spp. in cyclic field vole populations: the impact of vector and host dynamics.

Many zoonotic disease agents are transmitted between hosts by arthropod vectors, including fleas, but few empirical studies of host-vector-microparasite dynamics have investigated the relative importance of hosts and vectors. This study investigates the dynamics of 4 closely related Bartonella species and their flea vectors in cyclic populations of field voles (Microtus agrestis) over 3 years. The probability of flea infestation was positively related to field vole density 12 months previously in autumn, but negatively related to more recent host densities, suggesting a dilution effect. The 4 Bartonella species exhibited contrasting dynamics. Only B. grahamii, showed a distinct seasonal pattern. Infection probability increased with field vole density for B. doshiae, B. taylorii and BGA (a previously unidentified species) and with density of coexisting wood mice for B. doshiae and B. grahamii. However, only the infection probability of BGA in spring was related to flea prevalence. B. doshiae and BGA were most common in older animals, but the other 2 were most common in non-reproductive hosts. Generally, host density rather than vector abundance appears most important for the dynamics of flea-transmitted Bartonella spp., possibly reflecting the importance of flea exchange between hosts. However, even closely related species showed quite different dynamics, emphasising that other factors such as population age structure can impact on zoonotic risk.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

A cross-sectional study of risk factors affecting the outcome of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus releases in New South Wales.

OBJECTIVE: To determine what factors governed the extent of outbreaks of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) following releases in New South Wales. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. PROCEDURE: Information from the data set of official releases was subjected to two preliminary analyses. More comprehensive information on a subsample of official RHD releases, sites and animals was gathered by telephone survey of Rural Lands Protection Board staff and farmers. Data were analysed using multivariate techniques to determine which factors were associated with rabbit mortality within one month of RHDV release, within several months of release and in affecting the proportion of the population killed. RESULTS: A strong association was found between the presence of heavy flea infestation (odds ratio 2.7), breeding in rabbits and outbreaks of RHD. For each week following breeding there was an 8% decline in the odds of an outbreak. Low temperatures also promoted outbreaks. Less important effects included the prior presence of RHD at the release site, which reduced the likelihood and severity of outbreaks. The presence of cattle and proximity to the nearest water body were associated with increased severity and likelihood of outbreaks respectively. CONCLUSION: Both breeding of rabbits and associated high flea numbers may act together or independently in promoting outbreaks of RHD. Stresses involved with rabbit reproduction and low environmental temperatures also appear to influence the likelihood of outbreaks. The effects of proximity to cattle and water suggests that both flies and mosquitoes may have a minor role in local transmission.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

A primary animal health care approach to treatment and control of flea (Ctenocephalides felis) infestation in indigenous goats kept on communal grazing.

This paper describes a primary health care approach to an infestation of indigenous goats by the common cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. The flea species was identified using scanning electron microscopy. The infested goats were kept on communal grazing at Winterveld in the North-West Province. They were penned at night in housing made of wire and corrugated iron. The owner complained that the goats were lethargic. Fleas were found on the goats and flea larvae were found in the kraal. Haematology and blood biochemistry performed on the infested goats revealed no abnormalities; however, infestation caused irritation that made the animals lethargic. Available flea control methods for domestic animals were appraised in terms of cost, availability and ease of administration at a primary animal health care level using participatory extension methods. It was found that a carbamate powder was available, affordable and effective for flea control in this small flock of goats kept under communal grazing conditions. Although the authors had observed fleas on goats kept under similar conditions elsewhere in Mpumalanga and the North-West Province, this was the 1st time that the species had been identified.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1982

The first outbreak of human plague in Lushoto district, north-east Tanzania.

A one-week investigation was performed at Mkunki and Mavumo (ward of Shume, Lushoto district, Tanzania) at the time of outbreak (June, 1980). Rodents, people, domestic dogs and fleas were examined, 36 rats, mostly Rattus rattus, were caught and used in serological and bacteriological analysis for plague. 48 fleas, mostly Xenopsylla brasiliensis, were collected from the captured rodents. 413 people and 11 dogs were examined. All rodent, carnivorous and human sera were tested for plague antibodies, using the Passive Haemagglutination (PHA) test. Similarly protein extracts from rodent organs were tested for Yersinia pestis fraction I. Impression smears prepared from these organs were stained with methylene blue and examined for presence of bipolar bacteria. Bacteriological isolation of Y. pestis was performed on bubo aspirates and/or blood samples of ten patients. Over-all total and infested flea indices of rodents were 1.3 and 3.7, respectively. Bipolar organisms were demonstrated in 13.3% of the rodent smears while specific agglutinating plague antibodies were detected in 3.3% of the tested rodent sera. Y. pestis fraction I antigen was detected in 8.3% of the rodents. Of all the human sera tested, 1.4% contained specific plague antibodies. Y. Pestis was bacteriologically isolated and biochemically confirmed in 16.7% of the cultured specimens. All the dog sera were negative for plague. It was generally concluded that the causative agent of the outbreak was Yersinia pestis and that the disease probably spread from Rongai (Rombo district).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Acute febrile cerebrovasculitis: a syndrome of unknown, perhaps rickettsial, cause.

In late 1983, five patients living near Charlottesville, Virginia, were treated for an unusual syndrome of fever, headache, altered mentation, multifocal neurologic signs, and cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. Clinical signs of brainstem disease developed in four patients. All five had had recent exposure to forests or wood and contact with flea-infested dogs. Two patients died; one survivor has had recurrent seizures. Brain biopsy samples in two patients and autopsy findings in another showed cerebral vasculitis and perivasculitis involving mostly venules and capillaries. In the autopsy, the severest vascular lesions involved the brainstem and thalami, where they were accompanied by acute fibrinoid necrosis, but discrete vascular lesions of lesser intensity were randomly distributed in the white matter and cortex. Serologic studies on paired specimens in four patients showed significant cross-reacting antibody responses to rickettsial (typhus-group) antigens in the indirect hemagglutination, latex agglutination, and IgM microimmunofluorescence tests, but no agent was visualized or isolated. The cause of this serious inflammatory disorder is unknown.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

Immune responses to fleas in two rodent species differing in natural prevalence of infestation and diversity of flea assemblages.

We studied in vivo immune response to fleas in two gerbils, Gerbillus dasyurus and Gerbillus andersoni allenbyi, which differed in their natural species richness of flea assemblages and prevalence of infestation. G.dasyurus is parasitized naturally by several flea species, but the prevalence of infestation is low, whereas G. a. allenbyi is parasitized by a single flea species, with high prevalence of infestation. We hypothesized that immunological parameters and the cell-mediated specific immune response to an antigen from an unfamiliar flea species differ between the two gerbil species. Parasitized and control gerbils of both species demonstrated similar, relatively low levels of spontaneous glucose consumption. The same was true for the phytohemagglutinin treatment. Responses to antigen from unfamiliar flea species were higher than both spontaneous glucose consumption and response to phytohemagglutinin in parasitized and control G. a. allenbyi and parasitized G. dasyurus. However, no significant difference in the spontaneous blast transformation index and responses to both phytohemagglutinin and flea antigen was found in control G. dasyurus. The number of white blood cells was significantly lower in control than in parasitized G. dasyurus, whereas no difference in the number of white blood cells was found between control and parasitized G. a. allenbyi. The levels of circulating immune complexes and concentrations of immunoglobulins did not differ between parasitized and control individuals in both species. Phagocytic activity was significantly higher in males than in females of G. a. allenbyi but not of G. dasyurus. In addition, phagocytes of G. dasyurus appeared to be significantly more active than those of G. a. allenbyi.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Rochalimaea henselae infection. A new zoonosis with the domestic cat as reservoir.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reservoir and vector(s) for Rochalimaea henselae, a causative agent of bacillary angiomatosis (BA) and cat scratch disease, and to estimate the percentage of domestic cats with R henselae bacteremia in the Greater San Francisco Bay Region of Northern California. DESIGN: Hospital-based survey of patients diagnosed with BA who also had significant exposure to at least one pet cat, as well as a convenience sampling of pet or impounded cats for prevalence of Rochalimaea bacteremia. SETTING: Community and university hospitals and clinics; veterinary clinics treating privately owned or impounded cats. PATIENTS: Patients with or without human immunodeficiency virus infection, with biopsy-confirmed BA, who had prolonged exposure to pet cats prior to developing BA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cultures and laboratory studies were performed on blood drawn from pet cats associated with patients with BA. The Rochalimaea species infecting pet cats and fleas and causing the BA lesions in human contacts of these cats was identified by culture, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and DNA sequencing. The presence of R henselae bacteremia in pet cats was documented, and predictor variables for culture positivity were evaluated. RESULTS: Four patients diagnosed with BA who had prolonged contact with seven pet cats were identified. The Rochalimaea species causing BA lesions in these patients was determined to be R henselae. The seven pet cats were found to be bacteremic with R henselae; this bacterium was also detected in fleas taken from an infected cat by both direct culture and polymerase chain reaction. Blood samples were cultured from pet and impounded cats (N = 61) in the Greater San Francisco Bay Region, and R henselae was isolated from 41% (25/61) of these cats. CONCLUSION: We have documented that the domestic cat serves as a major persistent reservoir for R henselae, with prolonged, asymptomatic bacteremia from which humans, especially the immunocompromised, may acquire potentially serious infections. Antibiotic treatment of infected cats and control of flea infestation are potential strategies for decreasing human exposure to R henselae.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Safety of imidacloprid plus moxidectin topical solution applied to cats heavily infected with adult heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis).

A topically applied formulation containing 10% imidacloprid+1% moxidectin (Advocate/Advantage multi) has been developed for monthly application to cats for the prevention of feline heartworm (HW) disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis; and for the treatment and control of flea infestations, ear mite infestations, and intestinal nematode infections. A study model was designed to evaluate the safety of this product in cats harboring adult D. immitis infections. Eighty adult cats (40 males/40 females) were each inoculated with 60 third-stage D. immitis larvae on test day (TD) 1. On TD 243-245 echocardiographic imaging was performed on each cat to confirm and estimate the number of adult D. immitis residing in the cardiovascular system. A total of 35 cats were subsequently eligible for safety evaluation based on inclusion criteria. Four treatment groups were established and randomly selected for treatment: imidacloprid+moxidectin solution at the label dose (n=9) (group 1), imidacloprid+moxidectin solution at 5x the Iabel dose (n=9) (group 2), 6% selamectin topical solution (Revolution) at the label dose (positive control, n=8) (group 3), and topical treatment with placebo (negative control, n=9) (group 4). All cats were treated on TD 250. Treatments for groups 1, 3, and 4 were repeated on TDs 278 and 306. Group 2 cats were euthanized and examined for adult D. immitis on TD 288. All other cats were euthanized and examined for adult D. immitis on TD 334. No adverse events attributable to treatment with the test articles were observed during the study. The geometric mean numbers of adult D. immitis recovered at necropsy from treatment groups 1-4 were 2.9, 3.2., 4.0, and 2.7, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the comparison of adult D. immitis recovered at necropsy (ANOVA overall group effect P-value of 0.5356). The results of this study demonstrate that imidacloprid+moxidectin topical solution can be used safely in cats heavily infected with adult D. immitis.

Animals↗