Molecular detection of Rickettsia felis in fleas and ticks collected from dogs and cats of Puebla, Mexico

Fleas and ticks represent the two main groups of ectoparasites that infest companion animals. In particular, the flea Ctenocephalides felis felis and several members of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus complex are the main vectors of a wide range of pathogens on the American continent. They are competent vectors for several members of the genus Rickettsia, which encompass at least 15 pathogenic obligate intracellular bacteria that colonize the endothelial cells of vertebrates. In Mexico, 10 species of Rickettsia belonging to three groups have been detected in six species of ectoparasites from dogs in 9 of the 32 states of the country. However, in some larger regions of the country, active epidemiological surveillance has not been carried out. For this reason, the aim of this study was to identify the presence of members of the genus Rickettsia in fleas and ticks of dogs and cats in the state of Puebla, Mexico. A cross-sectional study was carried out to collect ectoparasites of dogs and cats during August to November 2019. Samples were fixed in 70% ethanol and examined to identify the presence of Rickettsia DNA by the amplification and sequencing of specific fragments of the gltA and ompB genes using conventional PCR. The recovered sequences were compared with those deposited in GenBank, and phylogenetic analyses were carried out to identify the position of the pathogens detected with respect to the valid species previously reported worldwide. Additionally, ecological parameters of the ectoparasite infestations were also calculated. We recovered 196 ectoparasites belonging to two species, 33 C. felis felis and 163 R. sanguineus s.l. (Rhipicephalus linnaei), parasitizing 46 hosts (42 dogs and 4 cats) in 11 localities of the state of Puebla. We detected the presence of Rickettsia felis in three pools of C. felis felis, and five from R. sanguineus s.l. Our work provides the first record of R. felis in hard ticks of Mexico and Central America, with new collection localities for this pathogen in central Mexico.

Fleas (Siphonaptera) From the Puma, Puma concolor (Carnivora: Felidae), A Rangewide Review and New Records from Utah and Texas, USA

Fleas have rarely been reported from the puma, Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771), despite its vast geographic range, its breadth of habitat use, and its diverse diet, all of which bring it into contact with many other species of mammals and potentially their fleas. We review the reported occurrence of 8 species of fleas from pumas, 7 of these species being from wild hosts and 1 species from a host in captivity, and we correct the mistaken report of 1 other flea species from the puma. We present 10 new records of 4 species of fleas from the puma in Utah and Texas. 2 of these flea species, Cediopsylla inaequalis inaequalis (Baker, 1895) and Odontopsyllus dentatus (Baker, 1904), represent new host records, and 1 species, Chaetopsylla setosa Rothschild, 1906, is a new state record for Utah as well as being 1 of the 2 southernmost known localities for this species. At least 7 of the 9 flea species now known from free-ranging pumas are species that are acquired by pumas from their prey. Pumas may be primary hosts of 2 flea species, but even these fleas may be from prey. Some of the flea species that parasitize pumas transmit sylvatic plague, and, since pumas are highly vagile and are known to become infected with plague, they may spread the disease through their dispersal of infected fleas. Pumas and their fleas also may be involved in the ecology of several other bacterial zoonoses, which are discussed.

Ticks, mites, fleas, and vector-borne pathogens in free-ranging neotropical wild felids from southern Brazil

The study of vectors and vector-borne diseases associated with ectoparasites from free-living Neotropical small wild felids is scarce, and the few existing studies on this theme focused on the genus Panthera, Paleartic species or in captive animals. For this reason, the aim of this study was to identify the diversity of ectoparasites and potentially associated Rickettsia and Bartonella species in free-ranging neotropical wild cats collected in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. A total of 82 ticks, 10 fleas and 22 mites were collected from 18 Geoffroy's cats (Leopardus geoffroyi), 11 margays (Leopardus wiedii), two southern tiger cats (Leopardus guttulus), two jaguarundis (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), three ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) and two pumas (Puma concolor). We identified four tick species: Rhipicephalus microplus and three species from genus Amblyomma, the most frequent being Amblyomma aureolatum; three flea species corresponding to Ctenocephalides felis, Xenopsylla cheopis, and Pulex irritans; and one mite of genus Eutrombicula. In ectoparasites we found DNA of Rickettsia parkeri and Rickettsia asembonensis in ticks and DNA of Bartonella clarridgeiae, Bartonella sp. and R. asembonensis in fleas. Our results highlight the evidences of vectors and vector-borne agents in wild animals, and their potential wide distribution in the Pampa biome and the southernmost portion of the Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil.

Four Species of Under-reported Parasitic Arthropods in Mexico and their Potential Role as Vectors of Pathogens

Numerous arthropod taxa are important in human and veterinary medicine. The salivary secretions and feces of arthropods can cause allergic reactions in host vertebrates or harbor pathogens. Also, bites can be a risk factor for secondary infections. Documenting the diversity of arthropods of medical and veterinary importance remains an important aspect of disease control and prevention. We provide new records of ectoparasitic arthropods from Mexico that are of potential medical or veterinary relevance. Scanning electron microscopy along with amplification and sequencing of a fragment of the mitochondrial gene (16S rRNA) was used to confirm some species identities. We report the cat louse Felicola subrostratus from cats and the chewing louse Heterodoxus spiniger from dogs, which are common ectoparasites but largely not reported in Mexico. The chigger Eutrombicula alfreddugesi is common on wild lizards (Squamata). For the first time, E. alfreddugesi is reported on Hemidactylus frenatus (common house gecko). This reptile has a close relationship with humans and its chiggers can cause dermatitis (i.e., trombiculiasis) or transmit pathogens. In addition, the common bed bug Cimex lectularius is reported for the first time in the state of Yucatan, an atypical area for its natural distribution. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Cimex lectularius from Yucatan is closely related to genetic sequences of Cimex lectularius from China. Knowing the regional distribution of arthropods allows the design and implementation of prevention strategies for those that have potential roles as reservoirs or vectors.