Species composition and host preference of fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) on rodent and domestic animals in Tamil Nadu, India

The species composition and host preference of medically important fleas monitored in urban, semi-urban, and rural revealed 412(65%) and 222(35%) fleas. From urban and rural habitats 90 and 345 fleas were collected respectively. There was a significant difference between urban and rural habitats in flea abundance. From rodents and domestic animals 209 (33%) Xenopsylla cheopis, 203 (32%) X. astia and 222 (35%) Ctenocephalides felis fleas were recorded. Fleas were predominantly found on Rattus rattus 45(83.3%) and Canis familiaris 31(83.8%). Among the habitats, there was no significant difference in rodent flea positivity and dog/cat flea positivity.

Factores asociados con la presencia de endoparásitos y ectoparásitos en perros domiciliados de la zona metropolitana de Toluca, México

Introducción. Los endoparásitos y ectoparásitos en perros son de distribución mundial. La estrecha relación entre los perros y el hombre implica un riesgo de transmisión de parasitosis zoonóticas, por lo cual es necesario conocer las especies que parasitan a los perros de esta zona y determinar los factores asociados.Objetivos. Estimar la prevalencia de endoparásitos y ectoparásitos, identificarlos en perros domiciliados de la zona metropolitana de Toluca, México, y determinar la prevalencia de Dipyilidium caninum en pulgas del género Ctenocephalides spp.Materiales y métodos. Se recolectaron muestras de 402 perros que fueron llevados a consulta en cuatro hospitales de referencia de Toluca. En el diagnóstico de endoparásitos, se utilizaron las técnicas coproparasitoscópicas de frotis directo, flotación y sedimentación; además, se recolectaron ectoparásitos para su identificación taxonómica. Por último, la detección de D. caninum en pulgas se hizo mediante la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR).Resultados. El 37,2 % de los perros resultó positivo para endoparásitos. Los géneros o especies identificados fueron Toxocara spp., Giardia spp., Ancylostoma spp., Cystoisospora spp., D. caninum, Taenia spp. y Trichuris vulpis. Se determinó una prevalencia de ectoparásitos de 13,13 %. Se identificaron pulgas de las especies Ctenocephalides felis y C. canis, en tanto que solo un animal presentó parasitosis por Rhipicephalus sanguineus y otro por Trichodectes canis. La prevalencia de D. caninum en pulgas fue del 9,5 %.Conclusión. La prevalencia de endoparásitos fue de 37,2 % y, la de ectoparásitos, de 13,1 %. Por primera vez en México se hizo un análisis de endoparásitos y ectoparásitos en una misma población de perros, así como el diagnóstico molecular de D. caninum.

Promovendo saúde pública através do cuidado animal / Promoting public health through animal care

As doenças zoonóticas são responsáveis por cerca de 75% das doenças infecciosas emergentes e podem ser devastadoras para a saúde humana e animal em todo o mundo. Um subconjunto de doenças zoonóticas é referido como "doenças zoonóticas negligenciadas - NZDs", pois afetam principalmente as populações pobres que vivem nas proximidades de animais domésticos ou selvagens, muitas vezes em áreas onde o acesso à saúde e instalações sanitárias adequadas não estão disponíveis. Em 2017, a comunidade Sururu do Capote foi acometida por um surto de tungíase. Diante disso, foi idealizado o projeto de extensão intitulado “Cuidado animal: uma alternativa no controle da tungíase humana” a fim de controlar a tungíase, oferecendo uma maior qualidade de vida à comunidade. O projeto foi realizado em parceria com a Comunidade Espírita Nosso Lar, que mobilizou a população e cedeu o local para os atendimentos. Foram beneficiadas pelo projeto 166 famílias, sendo 98 delas tutoras de cães e gatos e 68 de equinos. Os 166 animais foram submetidos a exames físico-clínicos criteriosos, os animais doentes foram encaminhados para o setor de farmácia, onde foram tratados. Houve ainda os que tiveram material biológico coletado para realização de exames laboratoriais, quando necessário. Durante o projeto foram feitas 74 amostras para identificação de ectoparasitas. Além da Tunga penetrans foram encontrados animais parasitados por Xenopsylla cheopis, Lynxacarus radovskyi, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Ctenocephalides felis e Ctenocephalides canis. Constatou-se que 132 animais estavam acometidos por zoonose de caráter parasitário, oferecendo riscos à população. O atendimento clínico aos animais da comunidade acrescidos de prevenção educativa aos tutores acerca de suas responsabilidades com os animais e a importância do acompanhamento médico veterinário para a manutenção da saúde animal e humana.

Title Prevalence of Bartonella Species in Shelter Cats and their Ectoparasites in Southeastern Brazil

Background: Feline Bartonella can be transmitted to humans through cat scratches or bites, and between cats by Ctenocephalides felis flea. Methods: The occurrence of Bartonella DNA was assessed in ectoparasites and their cat hosts living in shelters based on the ITS region and gltA gene. Results: Bartonella DNA was detected in 47.8% of cat blood samples, in 18.3% of C. felis fleas,13.3% of flea eggs pools and 12.5% of lice pools. B.henselae and B. clarridgeiae DNA were detected in cat fleas, while B. henselae, B. clarridgeiae, and B. koehlerae in blood samples from bacteremic cats. Cats infested by positive ectoparasites showed approximately twice the chance of being infected. Conclusions: Our results indicate shelter cats have a high prevalence of Bartonella species known to be human pathogens and highlight the importance of controlling their infestation by ectoparasites to avoid cat and human infection.

Haemobartonellosis in a Domestic Cat in Indonesia: a Case Study

Haemobartonellosis is a disease caused by Haemobartonella felis or Mycoplasma haemofelis, which attacks red blood cells. Ctenocephalides felis could transmit Haemobartonellosis. Further, vertical transmission from mother to offspring and blood transfusion from infected animals could transfer the disease to other animals. This report aimed to describe the diagnosis and medical treatment of haemobartonellosis in a domestic cat in Indonesia. Physical examinations and blood analysis were carried out. The cat weighed 1,4 kg with 39,3°C temperature, CRT was three seconds, mucosa looked pale, and many Ctenocephalides felis fleas were found. The clinical symptoms detected were weakness, loss of appetite, and hair loss. A blood test indicated normocytic normochromic anemia. The rod-like formation within erythrocytes in blood smear was observed. Infection with Hemobartonella felis was diagnosed based on the blood test and the presence of numerous Ctenocephalides felis. Doxycycline was administrated at 10 mg/kg BW once a day for 21 days. The cat recovered clinically after 21 days, with a good appetite, normal mucosal color, and normal temperature

Molecular Survey and Genetic Diversity of Bartonella spp. in Small Indian Mongooses (Urva auropunctata) and Their Fleas on Saint Kitts, West Indies

This study aimed to molecularly survey and evaluate the genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in mongooses and their fleas from St. Kitts. Spleen (n = 54), blood (n = 71), and pooled flea samples, all identified as Ctenocephalides felis (n = 53), were submitted to TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting Bartonella-nuoG fragment (84 bp). Positive samples underwent further conventional PCR assays targeting five loci (gltA, rpoB, fstZ, nuoG, and ITS), subsequent sequencing, and phylogenetic and haplotype analyses. The overall occurrence of Bartonella spp. in mongooses and fleas was 51.2% (64/125 [95% CI (42.1–60.2%)]) and 62.3% (33/53) [95% CI (47.9–75.2%)]), respectively. From samples sequenced across the five loci, 50.8% (33/65) were identified as Bartonella henselae, 26.2% (17/65) were 96.74–99.01% similar by BLAST analysis to an unidentified Bartonella sp. previously reported in Japanese badgers (Meles anakuma), and 23.1% (15/65) were co-infected with both species. Nucleotide polymorphism analysis showed low diversity amongst haplotypes but did concur with phylogenetic analysis, placing the unidentified species in a separate clade from B. henselae by multiple mutational events. Our data confirms that mongooses and Ctenocephalides felis fleas collected from them are not only potential reservoirs for B. henselae but also a novel Bartonella sp. which we propose be called ‘Candidatus Bartonella kittensis’.