Cediopsylla Simplex Research Articles

The association of host and vector characteristics with Ctenocephalides felis pathogen and endosymbiont infection.

Surveillance of the fleas and flea-borne pathogens infecting cats is important for both human and animal health. Multiple zoonotic Bartonella and Rickettsia species are known to infect the most common flea infesting cats and dogs worldwide: Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea. The ability of other flea species to transmit pathogens is relatively unexplored. We aimed to determine cat host and flea factors independently associated with flea Bartonella and Rickettsia infection. We also assessed flea and cat infection by flea-host pair and location. To accomplish these aims, we performed qPCR for the detection of Bartonella, hemotropic Mycoplasma, Rickettsia, and Wolbachia DNA using paired cat and flea samples obtained from free-roaming cats presenting for spay or neuter across four locations in the United States. A logistic regression model was employed to identify the effect of cat (sex, body weight, geographic location, and Bartonella, hemotropic Mycoplasma, and Rickettsia spp., infection) and flea (clade and Rickettsia and Wolbachia infection) factors on C. felis Bartonella clarridgeiae infection. From 189 free roaming cats, we collected 84 fleas: Ctenocephalides felis (78/84), Cediopsylla simplex (4/84), Orchopeas howardi (1/84), and Nosopsyllus fasciatus (1/84). Ctenocephalides felis were phylogenetically assigned to Clades 1, 4, and 6 by cox1 gene amplification. Rickettsia asembonensis (52/84) and B. clarridgeiae (16/84) were the most common pathogenic bacteria detected in fleas. Our model identified host cat sex and weight as independently associated with B. clarridgeiae infection in fleas. Rickettsia asembonensis (52/84), Rickettsia felis (7/84) and Bartonella henselae (7/84) were detected in specific clades: R. felis was detected only in Clades 1 and 6 while B. henselae and R. asembonensis were detected only in Clade 4. Wolbachia spp., also displayed clade specificity with strains other than Wolbachia wCfeT only infecting fleas from Clade 6. There was poor flea and host agreement for Bartonella spp., infection; however, there was agreement in the Bartonella species detected in cats and fleas by geographic location. These findings reinforce the importance of considering reservoir host attributes and vector phylogenetic diversity in epidemiological studies of flea-borne pathogens. Widespread sampling is necessary to identify the factors driving flea-borne pathogen presence and transmission.

Cediopsylla simplex

This datasheet on Cediopsylla simplex covers Identity, Distribution, Hosts/Species Affected.

Ectoparasites of free-roaming domestic cats in the central United States

Free-roaming domestic cat (Felis catus) populations serve as a valuable resource for studying ectoparasite prevalence. While they share a similar environment as owned cats, free-roaming cats do not receive routine veterinary care or ectoparasiticide application, giving insight into parasite risks for owned animals. We examined up to 673 infested cats presented to a trap-neuter-return (TNR) clinic in the central United States. Ectoparasite prevalences on cats were as follows: fleas (71.6%), ticks (18.7%), Felicola subrostratus (1.0%), Cheyletiella blakei (0.9%), and Otodectes cynotis (19.3%). Fleas, ticks, and O. cynotis were found in all months sampled. A total of 1117 fleas were recovered from 322 infested cats. The predominate flea recovered from cats was Ctenocephalides felis (97.2%) followed by Pulex spp. (2.8%), Cediopsylla simplex (0.6%), and Nosopsyllus fasciatus (0.6%). A total of 373 ticks were recovered from 126 infested cats. The predominate tick species was Amblyomma americanum (65.9%) followed by Ixodes scapularis (32.5%), Dermacentor variabilis (10.3%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (0.8%). Immature tick stages accounted for 54.7% of all ticks found, highlighting an under-appreciated source of tick burden on domestic cats. The results of this study emphasize the importance of year-round use of ectoparasiticides with both insecticidal and acaricidal activity on domestic cats.

Fleas parasitizing domestic dogs in Georgia, USA: Species composition and seasonal abundance

Monthly flea collections were made from domestic dogs in Bulloch County, Georgia, USA from September 1996 to August 2004. A total of 2518 fleas belonging to 8 species were collected. The most common flea was the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (389 males and 1148 females), followed by the dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis (250 males and 285 females), a generalist/carnivore flea, Pulex simulans (106 males and 213 females), and a sticktight flea, Echidnophaga gallinacea (3 males and 89 females). Small numbers of rabbit-associated fleas (25 Cediopsylla simplex and 6 Odontopsyllus multispinosus) and rodent-associated fleas (3 Orchopeas howardi and 1 Polygenis gwyni), suggested that certain dogs had acquired these particular ectoparasites through hunting activities. Sex ratios of each of the five most frequently collected flea species were female-biased. Seasonally, C. felis, C. canis, and P. simulans, all showed distinct abundance peaks in late summer or autumn.

Parasites of Cottontail Rabbits of Southern Illinois

Fifteen species of parasites including Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Ixodes dentatus, Amblyomma americanum, Cediopsylla simplex, Odontopsyllus multispinosus, Cuterebra sp., Obeliscoides cuniculi, Trichostrongylus calcaratus, Trichostrongylus affinis, Longistriata noviberiae, Dermatoxys veligera, Trichuris sp., Mosgovoyia sp., Taenia pisiformis, and Hasstilesia tricolor as well as coccidia oocysts were collected from 96 cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) confined to a pen in southern Illinois in 1983 and 1984. The diversity of parasites and the intensities of infections were similar to published reports on free-ranging populations. Most variations in parasite abundances were attributable to season. Few lesions were seen in association with parasitism.

Ectoparasitic and Phoretic Arthropods of Virginia Opossums (Didelphis virginiana) in Central Tennessee

Thirteen species of ectoparasitic (12) or phoretic (1) arthropods were collected from 26 adult Virginia opossums, Didelphis virginiana, live-trapped from April through September 1987 in Davidson County, Tennessee. The cat flea Ctenocephalides felis and the American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis were the predominant species with respect to mean intensity and prevalence. The macronyssid mite Ornithonyssus wernecki and the atopomelid mite Didelphilichus serrifer, both specific parasites of this host, showed high intensities but low prevalences. Other fleas collected were Cediopsylla simplex, Ctenophthalmus pseudagyrtes, and Orchopeas howardi. The tick Amblyomma americanum, the myobiid mite Archemyobia inexpectatus, and the trombiculid (chigger) mites Eutrombicula splendens, Leptotrombidium peromysci (first record from this host) and Neotrombicula cavicola (first record from this host), were also recorded. One phoretic species, the glycyphagid mite Marsupialichus brasiliensis, was noted.

Metazoan parasites of the eastern cottontail rabbit in western Kentucky.

Forty-five eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus Allen), collected over a 15 mo period from two areas of western Kentucky, were examined for disease conditions, helminth and arthropod parasites. A single lymphosarcoma, two cutaneous papillomas and the following parasites were identified: Hasstilesia tricolor, Taenia pisiformis, Cittotaenia variabilis, Raillietina stilesiella, Obeliscoides cuniculi, Trichuris leporis, Longistriata noviberiae, Trichostrongylus calcaratus, Dermatoxys veligera, Odontopsyllus multispinosus, Cediopsylla simplex, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Ixodes dentatus, Amblyomma americanum, and Dermacentor variabilis. Simpson's Indices indicated that parasite communities were fairly diverse, with some degree of dominance exhibited by O. cuniculi, T. pisiformis and H. leporispalustris. The parasite faunas of rabbits from the two areas were similar. Hasstilesia tricolor was associated with the absence of kidney fat.

Ectoparasites Collected from Eastern Cottontails in the Southeastern United States1

Eastern Cottontail rabbits from 11 southeastern slates were examined for ectoparasites. The most prevalent arthropods were Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Ixodes dentatus, Cediopsylla simplex , and Odontopsyllus multispinosus . Nine additional ectoparasite species were found at low prevalence rates, viz., Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variability Ixodes scapularis, Trombicula sp., Tricholipeurus parallelus, Cuterebra sp., Euhoplopsyllus glacialis affinis, Nosopsyllus fasciatus , and Pulex sp. The survey revealed that ticks were prevalent throughout the year and that flea infestations were highest in winter and spring and lowest in summer.

PARASITES OF THE COYOTE (Canis latrans) IN CENTRAL UTAH

Seventeen coyotes, Canis latrans, from central Utah were surveyed for parasites. Five species of parasites not reported previously from coyotes in Utah were detected: Filaroides osleri, Physaloptera sp., Spirocerca sp., Ancylostoma caninum, and Cediopsylla simplex. In all, 11 genera of parasites were observed.

The Topography of the Exoskeleton of Cediopsylla simplex (Baker 1895) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). I. The Head and Its Appendages

A topography of the exoskeleton of the head of Cediopsylla simplex (Baker 1895) is presented, based on an examination with the scanning electron microscope. Major sensory regions were observed on the fronto-occipital region, on the antennae, and on the maxillary palps. Sensilla basiconica were observed in all 3 regions, chemosensory hairs are absent, and unique pit sensilla were observed in the clubs of the antennae. The mouthparts are described and illustrated in detail. Other cuticular structures are illustrated, such as hairs, bristles, combs, cuticular teeth, and microtrichia. Sexual dimorphism is evident in the distribution of sensilla basiconica in the fronto-occipital regional and the clubs of the antennae. The validity of the generic name Cediopsylla Jordan 1925 is questioned.

Herpesvirus sylvilagus IN COTTONTAIL RABBITS: ATTEMPTED LABORATORY TRANSMISSION BY TWO INSECT SPECIES

The vector potential of the rabbit flea (Cediopsylla simplex) and a mosquito (Aedes triseriatus) was investigated for Herpesvirus sylvilagus transmission among cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus). Twelve groups of 12-50 fleas were fed on three viremic cottontails for 2-21 days before transfer to 12 susceptible rabbits. Standard interrupted feeding trials employed five groups of 6-12 mosquitoes, two viremic donor cottontails anf five healthy recipients. No evidence of virus was detected from recipients' blood nor did they develop specific antibody. Virus acquisition and persistence in the insects was evaluated by attempting to recover the virus from 19 pools of mosquitoes engorged on viremic blood and 36 pools of engorged fleas or those living on viremic hosts for 1-21 days. Results were negative.

Herpesvirus sylvilagus IN COTTONTAIL RABBITS: ANTIBODY PREVALENCE AND FLEA BURDEN RELATIONSHIPS

A serologic survey of a wild cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) population in southern Wisconsin was conducted from November-March, 1971-72 and November-April, 1972-73, to determine prevalence of antibody against Herpesvirus sylvilagus. Flea burdens on each live-trapped cottontail were quantified by species. All but six of the 5029 fleas collected were Cediopsylla simplex. No correlation was found between flea infestation and viral antibody. Of 101 cottontail rabbits trapped, only six had specific antibody as determined by plaque neutralization in rabbit kidney cell culture. Three of the six developed antibody between January and March of the trapping season. Blood samples from 46 captured rabbits were negative for virus.

Breeding cycle of the flea Cediopsylla simplex is controlled by breeding cycle of host.

Maturation of female Cediopsylla simplex takes place on the pregnant rabbit and nestlings but not on the estrous doe. If matured fleas are transferred to the estrous doe their ovaries are resorbed.

Arthropod parasites collected from white-tailed deer.

5864 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Cuba were examined for ectoparasites. Most of the collections were made in the southeastern United States. Twenty-five species of arthropods were found which included Metastigmata: Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, Boophilus annulatus, B. microplus, Dermacentor albipictus, D. nigrolineatus, D. nitens, D. variabilis, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Ixodes affinis, I. scapularis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus; Prostigmata; Eutrombicula sp., Neotrombicula whartoni; Astigmata: Demodex sp., Psoroptes sp.; Mesostigmata: Raillietia auris; Anoplura: Haematopinus suis, Solenopotes binipilosus; Mallophaga: Tricholipeurus lipeuroides, T. parallelus; Diptera: Cephenemyia Phobifera, Lipoptena cervi, L mazamae; Siphonaptera: Cediopsylla simplex.

Seasonal distribution of some arthropod parasites of rabbits in Louisiana.

Studies were conducted to determine the species and seasonal distribution of bots, ticks and fleas on wild rabbits in 2 areas of Louisiana. Cuterebra horripilum Clark was the only bot found parasitizing rabbits in the 2 areas. There were 2 generations of rabbit bots in northeastern Louisiana in 1966 and 3 generations in southwestern Louisiana in 1966 and 1967. Infestations never exceeded 37% in either area. The rabbit tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (Packard), was the only species of tick found infesting rabbits in the marsh areas of southwestern Louisiana. There were 2 generations per year of this tick and the average number of ticks per rabbit ranged from 1.2 in February to 215.9 in June. No fleas were found on rabbits in this area. In northeastern Louisiana, 3 species of ticks and 1 species of flea were found on rabbits from September through November 1966. The rabbit tick was abundant while the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (Linnaeus), and the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), were found in small numbers. Ticks infested rabbits at the rate of 182.4 ticks per rabbit and the common eastern rabbit flea, Cediopsylla simplex Baker, infested rabbits at the rate of 1.83 fleas per rabbit.