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PubMed1989

Rat leucocyte response to the bites of rat fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae).

The host response to bites of the oriental rat flea, Xenopyslla cheopis Rothschild, was investigated by examining rat blood leucocyte kinetics, histopathology, and the effect that the host response had upon subsequent flea feeding and longevity. Test rats were subjected to controlled exposures of fleas, and leucocyte data from test rats were compared to those of unexposed controls. Of the five leucocyte types examined, only the basophil appeared to play a role in the host blood response to flea bites. Significant increases in blood basophil levels occurred 2-3 d after exposure but subsided to control levels within a week. However, flea feeding did not produce histopathology at the flea feeding sites nor did the basophilic blood response of rats affect subsequent feeding or longevity of the fleas.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Ovicidal and larvicidal modes of action of fenoxycarb against the cat flea (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae).

The mode of action of the insect growth regulator, fenoxycarb, on embryogenesis of cat flea eggs, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché), was evaluated biologically and morphologically. Newly oviposited flea eggs were aged for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, or 72 h and exposed to fenoxycarb (1.1 micrograms/cm2) on filter paper disks for 0 (60 s), 2, 4, 8, 12, or 24 h at 23 +/- 1 degree C and 70 +/- 3% RH. Following exposure, samples of flea eggs were processed for microscopic examination and seeded onto carpet swatches containing flea-rearing medium in order to assess egg hatch, and larval, pupal, and adult development. Fenoxycarb exhibited embryocidal activity against eggs in early blastoderm formation, blastokinesis, and advanced larval development up to hatching. The ovicidal effect of fenoxycarb was not restricted to any specific developmental stage of embryogenesis, and no significant relationship was found between duration of exposure and lethal or inhibitory effects. Indeed, exposure for as little as 60 s produced a lethal inhibition of embryonic development. Conventional microscopy and ultrastructural observations of flea eggs exposed to fenoxycarb showed extensive cellular and tissue damage of the developing embryos, including membrane lysis, burst cells, pycnotic nuclei with coalesced and clumped heterochromatin, swollen and ruptured mitochondria, cellular autolysis, and collapse and discoloration of the eggshell. Fenoxycarb also exhibited larvicidal activity against newly emerged and 24-h-old flea larvae. The midguts of larvae exposed to fenoxybarb appeared disrupted and distorted with large gaps. These data document the ovicidal and larvicidal modes of action of fenoxycarb against the cat flea.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Adult cat flea (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) excretion of host blood proteins in relation to larval nutrition.

Protein content and ion composition of host blood and feces from blood-fed adult cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché), were examined. Total fecal protein differed slightly from host blood indicating that there was little digestion of host blood by adult fleas. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gels of host blood and flea feces also revealed little digestion, as evidenced by the quantitatively and qualitatively similar protein banding patterns. Blood and fecal ion compositions also were similar, except for fleas fed in vivo on cats, where both potassium and chloride compositions of feces were approximately 50% lower. Host blood or flea feces alone were not of sufficient food value to allow > 12.5% of larvae to develop to adults. The addition of yeast or dog chow increased larval development to the pupal stage to 100% and 87.5% of first instars tested, respectively. Although some larval survival occurred with diets of dog chow + yeast (37.5%), feces + hair (20%), and feces + stratum corneum (16.7%), the period to cocoon formation was twice as long as that of larvae fed diets containing blood or flea feces + yeast. In contrast to fleas, feces of adults of two other hematophagous insects--bed bugs, Cimex lectularius L., and mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti (L.)--contained significantly less protein and more digested protein than the blood that they had fed upon. We propose that host blood excretion evolved in response to larval nutritional requirements.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1994

Molecular identification of rickettsia-like microorganisms associated with colonized cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis).

Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) from eight commercial flea colonies from various regions of the USA were examined by selective PCR amplification, and subsequent restriction digest analysis and Southern hybridization of PCR products, for the presence of a rickettsia-like organism (ELB agent). These flea colonies were either started with fleas from one supplier (EL Labs), in which ELB agent was first identified, or were started with fleas from stray cats and dogs and later came into contact with ELB-infected fleas. Infection rates in the colonies ranged from 43% to 93%. The successful propagation of ELB agent in these colonies may be due to efficient trans-stadial and transovarial transmission. While ELB agent has recently been identified in blood from human murine typhus cases, attempts to infect mammalian cells and SCID mice with flea isolates were unsuccessful.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

PCR detection of Yersinia pestis in fleas: comparison with mouse inoculation.

The "gold standard" for identifying Yersinia pestis-infected fleas has been inoculation of mice with pooled flea material. Inoculated mice are monitored for 21 days, and those that die are further analyzed for Y. pestis infection by fluorescent-antibody assay and/or culture. PCR may provide a more rapid and sensitive alternative for identifying Y. pestis in fleas. To compare these assays, samples were prepared from 381 field-collected fleas. Each flea was analyzed individually by both PCR and mouse inoculation. Sixty of the 381 flea samples were positive for Y. pestis by PCR; 48 of these PCR-positive samples caused death in mice (80.0% agreement). None of the 321 PCR-negative samples caused death. Among the 12 mice that survived inoculation with PCR-positive samples, 10 were later demonstrated by serology or culture to have been infected with Y. pestis. This suggests that death of inoculated mice is less reliable than PCR as an indicator of the presence of Y. pestis in flea samples. Mouse inoculation assays produce results that are comparable to PCR only when surviving as well as dead mice are analyzed for infection. The rapidity and sensitivity (10 to 100 CFU of Y. pestis) of PCR suggest that it could serve as a useful alternative to mouse inoculation for routine plague surveillance and outbreak investigations.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Systemic efficacy of nodulisporamides against fleas on dogs.

Nodulisporic acid A (NSA) has been shown previously to be safe in dogs and to deliver >90% flea control for 4 days following a single oral administration. Three newly prepared nodulisporamide derivatives were subsequently identified from an artificial membrane flea feeding system as exhibiting potency substantially greater than NSA. To determine if they have superior in vivo activity, these 3 nodulisporamides, as well as NSA, were evaluated in dogs at 15 mg/kg/os. Parasite challenges were made by placing 100 live Ctenocephalides felis fleas onto the dorsum of dogs every 48 hr and examining efficacy at each of those intervals over a 22-day period. Results showed that NSA produced >90% efficacy at day 2 and 81% efficacy at day 4, and its residual flea killing fell to approximately 50% by day 6 posttreatment. All dogs treated with the 3 new experimental nodulisporamides were 100% protected from flea challenges to day 8 posttreatment, and 2 of the compounds continued to produce >90% residual activity to 2 wk posttreatment. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that plasma profiles and half-lives of NSA and these 3 new compounds correlated closely with flea efficacy. These results demonstrate that specific substitutions to the pharmacophore of NSA can substantially increase the duration of activity against fleas.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2006

An introduced generalist parasite, the sticktight flea (Echidnophaga gallinacea), and its pathology in the threatened Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens).

The sticktight flea, (Echidnophaga gallinacea), a major pest of the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) that can cause severe pathology or death if untreated, is rarely recorded in free-living avian species. Sticktight fleas, however, were observed on the federally threatened Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) in February 2004, in south central Florida. Of the 81 Florida scrub-jays (FSJs) sampled before the 2004 breeding season, 12 were infested, with from 1 to as many as 57 fleas. Subsequent survivorship and variation in health indices led us to conclude that the sticktight flea caused the death of several jays. Within 4 mo, 46% of sticktight flea-infested (INF) jays died, whereas in the nonflea-infested (NINF) jays, only 5.9% died. Adult INF birds lost body mass in the time since a previous capture compared with NINF jays, and mass gain was slowed in 1-yr-old INF jays. Hematocrit of INF jays was dramatically impacted, as low as 17%, and was negatively correlated with the extent of infestation. Leukocyte counts were highest in INF jays; however, plasma immunoglobulin levels were lowest. Physiological stress levels, measured using plasma corticosterone, increased more rapidly in INF jays than NINF jays and were positively correlated with heterophil/lymphocyte ratios. The impact of the sticktight flea on the federally threatened FSJ negates previous findings that sticktight fleas are benign in wild avian hosts.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Topical flea and tick pesticides and the risk of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder in Scottish Terriers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether use of topical flea and tick products increases the risk of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder in Scottish Terriers. DESIGN: Case-control study. ANIMALS: 87 adult Scottish Terriers with TCC (cases) and 83 adult Scottish Terriers with other health-related conditions (controls). PROCEDURE: Owners of study dogs were recruited through private veterinary practices and the Scottish Terrier Club of America. History of exposure to flea and tick products 1 year prior to diagnosis of TCC for case dogs and during a comparable period for control dogs was obtained through a questionnaire. Risk of TCC associated with exposure to flea and tick products was determined by means of univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: After adjustment for host factors, Scottish Terriers treated with topical spot-on flea and tick products containing fipronil or imidacloprid did not have an increased risk of TCC, compared with Scottish Terriers that had never been exposed to any flea and tick products. The risk of TCC associated with use of older topical flea and tick products such as shampoos, dips, powders, sprays, and collars could not be evaluated because of the low number of owners in the study population that had used such products. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that use of topical spot-on flea and tick products does not increase the risk of TCC in Scottish Terriers.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2000

Control of immature stages of the flea Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché) in carpets exposed to cats treated with imidacloprid.

Fleas cause allergic dermatitis in cats and dogs and therefore warrant control. It has been demonstrated previously that there is marked inhibition of the development of the immature stages of the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis on fleece blankets exposed to cats treated with imidacloprid. This study reports on the efficacy of imidacloprid in suppressing adult flea emergence in carpet exposed to treated cats. Circular discs of carpet pre-seeded with flea eggs and larvae were exposed to 6 untreated control and 6 topically treated (imidacloprid 10% m/v) cats 1 to 2 days after treatment and subsequently fortnightly for 6 weeks. Exposure times on alternate days were either 1 or 6 hours. Adult flea yield from carpets was determined 35 days after exposure. Differences between flea yield on control carpets and those exposed for 1 hour were significant only for days +1 and +14. For the 6-hour exposure, differences were significant at all times except on Day +43. The ability of imidacloprid to suppress the yield of adult fleas on carpets (6-hour exposure) steadily declined from 82 % (Day +2) to 12% (Day +43). For the 1-hour exposure it varied inconsistently between 0 and 83% over the 6-week study period.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Efficacy of an adulticide used alone or in combination with an insect growth regulator for flea infestations of dogs housed in simulated home environments.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of an adulticide on flea populations of dogs and to evaluate efficacy of combined use of the adulticide and an insect growth regulator (IGR) in dogs with experimentally induced flea infestations. ANIMALS: 40 adult Beagles. PROCEDURE: Each group of 5 dogs was housed in a separate room. Each dog was infested 3 times with 50 fleas, and fleas were counted beginning on day -21. Groups of dogs and treatments (initiated on day 0) were as follows: 1, adulticide once; 2, adulticide on days 0 and 7; 3, adulticide on days 0, 3, and 7; 4, sham treatment; 5, IGR monthly; 6, IGR monthly plus adulticide once weekly for 6 weeks; 7, IGR monthly plus adulticide twice weekly for 6 weeks; 8, sham treatment. Flea counts were compared between treated and control dogs. RESULTS: By 24 hours after initial treatment, all adult fleas but 1 were dead in treated dogs. In groups 1 and 3, populations increased to 15 to 20 fleas/dog 2 months after treatment, compared with 48 fleas/dog in group 4. After treatment, mean flea counts were significantly lower for groups 1, 2, and 3, relative to group 4. Efficacy of treatment for group 5, relative to group 8, was > 94% after day 84. Efficacy of treatment for groups 6 and 7 was 99% after day 28. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Treatment with adulticide alone or in combination with an IGR had better efficacy, compared with sham treatment or IGR alone. Administration of adulticide twice weekly was not more efficacious than treatment once weekly.

Administration, Oral↗
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↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Peculiarities of thoracic and abdominal combs of fleas (Siphonaptera)].

The structure of pseudosetae, spinelets, and spines of combs (ctenidia) was studied by means of light and SE microscopy in 80% of genera and subgenera of the World fauna. It is found out that peculiarities of ctenidiae in the prothorax and in tergites of the abdomen are characteristics of families and infraorders of fleas. Some characters of ctenidiae found in certain flea genera are reductions and apparently caused by habitation in some extremal conditions. An absence of ctenidiae in the unfraorder Pulicomorpha is compensated by more developed posterior margin of prothorax and general abbreviation of all thoracal segments. Reasons of ctenidiae absence, which is observed in certain genera of the infraorders Ceratophyllomorpha, Pygiopsyllomorpha and Hystricopsillomorpha associated with the same hosts, is not clear. It is confirmed, that distance between ctenidiae in different flea species associated with the same species host species, however it is recovered, that this distance correlates with the diameter of most thin hair of host. In some flea species the distance between ctenidia spices in females is larger, than in males. It is found, that sexual dimorphism by this character may not be expressed in certain species of closely related species group of fleas. It is suggested that ctenidiae were present even in the common ancestor of fleas. The hypothesis on origin of spines and pseudosetae from setae of the posterior walls of toracal and abdominal segments in the common ancestor of fleas is proposed.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Seasonal distribution of fleas infesting rodents in various Egyptian eco-geographical areas and their susceptibility to malathion.

The rodent population and their ectoparasites especially fleas, in various Egyptian eco-geographical areas were studied It was noticed that flea infestation varied according to rodent species and to the bioclimatic conditions. High flea indices were recorded in certain seasons of the year. The flea index was above one during spring in the southern of Nile Delta and semi-arid coastal areas, in summer in northern coastal areas and in autumn in southern of Nile Delta. Susceptibility tests were conducted using the WHO diagnostic dose of malathion (5%) on three populations of fleas collected from Qualyobia, Suez and Beni-Suef Governorates. The results indicated that malathion (5%) was very effective on fleas collected from Beni-Suef and Suez, but there was an evidence of increased tolerance among flea population collected from Qualyobia Governorate.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Human infestation by pigeon fleas (Ceratophyllus columbae) from feral pigeons.

The report concerns a married couple who were repeatedly invaded by pigeon fleas (Ceratophyllus columbae) over a period of 2 months. The source of the fleas was a pair of breeding feral pigeons (Columba livia). The birds' nest was located in the attic immediately above the couple's apartment, and the fleas found their way along an unsealed heating pipe. The people encountered up to 40 bites per night. With invasions repeated almost every night, the man gradually developed an allergic urticarial reaction. The most traumatic experience for the couple, however, was to learn that they were invaded by fleas (initially, they had presumed they were bothered by mosquitoes). This information resulted in severe psychological distress with phobic reactions and insomnia. Despite the successful removal of the fleas and the pigeons that were source of the pest, parasitophobia of the man persisted over the following 4 months. This case is discussed from the broader aspect of health risks related to feral pigeons and animal fleas. Also summarised are previous observations on people invaded by pigeon fleas.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Molecular detection of Bartonella quintana, B. Elizabethae, B. Koehlerae, B. Doshiae, B. Taylorii, and Rickettsia felis in rodent fleas collected in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The prevalences of Bartonella spp. and Rickettsia spp. were investigated using molecular methods in 77 rodent fleas collected in November 2002 by the French forces detachment in Kabul, Afghanistan. Overall, Bartonella DNA was detected in 15.5% of gerbil fleas and 40.5% of rat fleas, whereas Rickettsia felis was found in 9% of gerbil fleas. We described for the first time in this country Bartonella quintana, B. koehlerae, B. taylorii, and Rickettsia felis in fleas from the gerbil species Meriones lybicus, and B. elizabethae and B. doshiae in rat fleas. Of these, B. quintana, B. elizabethae, B. koehlerae, and R. felis are recognized human pathogens. These results emphasize the potential risk of flea-borne infections transmitted by rodents in this area, and suggest that preventive measures should be taken in the general framework of zoonoses management.

Afghanistan↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Species composition, host association and niche differentiation in fleas of small mammals in the Ilmen-Volkhov lowland].

Species composition, abundance, annual cycles, and host association of fleas parasitizing small mammals were investigated. The problem of niche differentiation in these insects is considered on the base of the comparative analysis of their annual cycles. The annual cycles of the fleas are revealed to be similar in the case of few number of flea species in parasite community. Thus, two species parasitizing Sorex araneus (Doratopsylla dasycnema and Palaeopsylla soricis), as well as three species associated with Apodemus uralensis (Megabothris turbidus, Ctenophthalmus agyrtes, and Ct. uncinatus) have equal phenology of parasitizing. The fleas community of Clethrionomys glareolus is characterized by a large species number and high diversity of the annual cycles. The differentiation by the seasons of parasitizing is observed most clearly in the dominant flea species, namely Amalaraeus penicilliger, Ct. uncinatus, and Peromyscopsylla bidentata. The periods of imaginal life are overlapped significanly in these species, but they are differed by the season of dominance. Ct. uncinatus predominates in spring and summer, while P. bidentata predominates in autumn, and A. penicilliger predominates in winter and early spring. It may be noted also, that niche partitioning was not observed in the fleas having wide range of hosts. The imaginal life of such fleas usually does not go beyond the warm season.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Insecticidal activity of propoxur- and carbaryl-impregnated flea collars against Ctenocephalides felis.

Ten dogs were fitted with 10% propoxur-(0-isopropoxyphenyl methylcarbamate) and 10 dogs were fitted with 16% carbaryl-(1-naphthyl-N-methylcarbamate) impregnated flea collars. Ten cats were fitted with carbaryl-impregnated flea collars. There were 5 control animal for each trial. Insecticidal activity against experimental infestations with the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) was evaluated. The propoxur collars on dogs reduced the flea populations by 90% within 2 days of infestation for at least 13 weeks. By the 16th week, the flea population was reduced 65% in 2 days and 87% in 7 days. In subsequent infestations, efficiency was less than 80% after 7 days. Carbaryl collars on dogs reduced the flea population by as much as 80% in 2 days for a period of 16 weeks. An efficiency of at least 80% at 7 days was maintaned for 17 weeks. Carbaryl collars on cats reduced the flea population within 2 days by 80% or more for a period of at least 19 weeks--the last experimental infestation.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Fleas from the nests of goosander (Mergus merganser L.)].

In 1993 43 nests of Goosander from the Jasień Lake near Bytów were collected and checked on fleas presence. Ceratophyllus gallinae, the only one fleas species, was found in 60.5% nests. Among nests where the fleas were found the most frequent were those inhibited by 1-10 specimens of fleas (12 nests). The highest mean number of fleas per nest and the highest percentage of nests with fleas were noted before the breeding season has started (in March) and the lowest after the fresh brood in May. More fleas were noted in nests with successful broods. M. merganser was not yet noted in Polish literature as a host of C. gallinae in Poland.

Animals↗