Normal Bangkok strain of X. cheopis which had little resistance to DDT in 1966 became moderately resistant in 1972 without any direct exposure to the insecticide. It was analyzed that the causes of resistance gaining were as follows. First, the possibility of being exposed unconsciously to DDT spray under malaria eradication program could not be ruled out, even in laboratory as far as ventilation windows would be open sometime. Insecticides from air spray through the window influenced the fleas kept in the pools. Second, it may be said that initial resistance to DDT has become greater and greater ecologically without any exposure of insecticides. A highly resistant strain of X. cheopis which survived after contacting 4% DDT for five times during one year period was obtained in the laboratory and it showed 100% survival at the highest concentration (4%) of DDT paper by 24 hour exposure. The hybrid forms between normal Bangkok strain and artificially mutated "Resistant Strain" were obtained by mixing the above two colonies. Regardless to the sexes of both ancestors, the results of resistance tests of hybrids showed that artificially gained resistance of fleas to DDT was inherited possibly by recessive hereditary role by pheonotype.
parasitology-arthropoda-flea-Xenopsylla cheopis ; resistance-DDT ; Bangkok strain ; DDT

The Alataw Pass, near the Ebinur Lake Wetland (northwest of China) and Taldykorgan (east of Kazakhstan), is a natural habitat for wild rodents. To date, little has been done on the surveillance of Bartonella spp. and Wolbachia spp. from fleas in the region. Here we molecularly detected Bartonella spp. and Wolbachia spp. in wild rodent fleas during January and October of 2016 along the Alataw Pass-Kazakhstan border. A total of 1,706 fleas belonging to 10 species were collected from 6 rodent species. Among the 10 flea species, 4 were found to be positive for Wolbachia, and 5 flea species were positive for Bartonella. Molecular analysis indicated that i) B. rochalimae was firstly identified in Xenopsylla gerbilli minax and X. conforms conforms, ii) B. grahamii was firstly identified in X. gerbilli minax, and iii) B. elizabethae was firstly detected in Coptopsylla lamellifer ardua, Paradoxopsyllus repandus, and Nosopsyllus laeviceps laeviceps. Additionally, 3 Wolbachia endosymbionts were firstly found in X. gerbilli minax, X. conforms conforms, P. repandus, and N. laeviceps laeviceps. BLASTn analysis indicated 3 Bartonella species showed genotypic variation. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 3 Wolbachia endosymbionts were clustered into the non-Siphonaptera Wolbachia group. These findings extend our knowledge of the geographical distribution and carriers of B. rochalimae, B. grahamii, B. elizabethae, and Wolbachia spp. In the future, there is a need for China-Kazakhstan cooperation to strengthen the surveillance of flea-borne pathogens in wildlife.
Bartonella ; Ecosystem ; Lakes ; Rodentia ; Siphonaptera ; Wetlands ; Wolbachia ; Xenopsylla

Nine species of fleas representing 4 families were collected in 1972 form 14 species of small mammals: 2 hedgehogs, 1 shrew, 2 bats, 8 rodents and 1 mongoose. Most specimens were from 7 localities in Karachi District. Xenopsylla astis accounted for 78% of the 404 fleas collected. Collection data, especially flea-mammal associations and locality records, are presented and discussed.
Ctenocephalides felis felis ; Synosternus pallidus ; Synosternus cleopatrae cleopatrae ; Xenopsylla cheopis ; epidemiology

The results of the tests carried out in 1971 strongly suggested that a considerable portion of the flea population in MR 2 had developed resistance not only against DDT but also malathion and dieldrin. There is also the possibility of the fleas developing a resistance to diazinon and lindane. Thus careful consideration should be given to the continuous use of diazinon. In areas where fleas had developed a resistance to malathion, further tests should be conducted continuously to confirm the possible development of resistance. Other insecticides which have not been used in Vietnam for any purpose should be ready to be substituted, if the development of resistance is confirmed.
parasitology-arthropoda-flea-Xenopsylla cheopis ; resistance ; Vietnam ; DDT ; dieldrin ; diazinon ; lindane ; malathion

OBJECTIVES: Earthquakes are one the most common natural disasters that lead to increased mortality and morbidity from transmissible diseases, partially because the rodents displaced by an earthquake can lead to an increased rate of disease transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of plague and tularemia in rodents in the earthquake zones in southeastern Iran. METHODS: In April 2013, a research team was dispatched to explore the possible presence of diseases in rodents displaced by a recent earthquake magnitude 7.7 around the cities of Khash and Saravan in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Rodents were trapped near and in the earthquake zone, in a location where an outbreak of tularemia was reported in 2007. Rodent serums were tested for a serological survey using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In the 13 areas that were studied, nine rodents were caught over a total of 200 trap-days. Forty-eight fleas and 10 ticks were obtained from the rodents. The ticks were from the Hyalomma genus and the fleas were from the Xenopsylla genus. All the trapped rodents were Tatera indica. Serological results were negative for plague, but the serum agglutination test was positive for tularemia in one of the rodents. Tatera indica has never been previously documented to be involved in the transmission of tularemia. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence of the plague cycle was found in the rodents of the area, but evidence was found of tularemia infection in rodents, as demonstrated by a positive serological test for tularemia in one rodent.
Agglutination Tests ; Disasters ; Earthquakes* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Iran* ; Mortality ; Plague* ; Prevalence ; Rodentia* ; Serologic Tests ; Siphonaptera ; Ticks ; Tularemia* ; Xenopsylla

A survey on rats and rat-fleas was performed in costal area of Korea during 1972 in Inchon, Kunsan, Yosu, Busan and other areas. The number of the caught rats was 1,448. Total number of collected fleas was 2,480. Geographical distribution were described. Flea index was in 1.71 total. Mothly flea indices were 0.35-0.84 in January to March, 2.13-2.59 in April to June, 0.58 in July and 1.82-4.91 in August to November. Mortality rate of X. cheopsis to various concentration of DDT in 1 hour exposure were 43.8 % in 4.0 %, 30.4 % in 1.0 %. In 24 hours exposure, the mortalities were 100 % in 4.0 %, 91.5 % in 2.0 %, 73.5 % in 1.0 % and 37.0 % in 0.5 % DDT.
parasitology-arthropoda-flea ; rat ; Xenopsylla cheopis ; Monopsyllus anisus ; Nosopsyllus fasciatus ; Leptopsylla segnis ; Ctenophthalmus cong. congeneroides ; Ctenocephalides canis ; Nosopsyllus nicanus ; Rhadinopsylla attenuata ; epidemiology ; insecticide ; DDT-chemotherapy ; DDT

From nine species of small mammals collected during the 12 month study period, nine species of fleas were recovered. Of the fleas, Ctenophthamus congeneroides congeneroides were obtained from seven host species, were recovered every month but January, comprised greater than 60% of the freas recovered each month except Noverber, December and January, accounted for more than 60% of all fleas and were collected from 15 of 17 localities visited. During November, December and January more than 50% of all fleas recovered were Stenoponia sidimi. Too, the greatest variety of flea species were recovered during November and December. Among the hosts, all nine flea species were recovered from Apodemus agrarius, six species were obtained from Microtus fortis and four from both Eothenomys regulus and Crocidura laciura. The highest rates of infested individuals, highest to lowest E. regulus, M.fortis, C.lasiura and A. agrarius. The highest general and specific indices were found in M.agrarius occurred in April and May and the highest monthly specific indices were noted for January, April and May. Ctenophthalmus congeneroides was the most abundant flea, had the widest host range, seasonal occurrence and the widest habitat distribution of the flea collected during this study. These fleas exhibited a decline in abundance in midwinter and an increase in numbers in the early spring. Among the small mammals, Apodemus agrairus yielded the greatest number of fleas species and was most heavily infested with during April and May.
parasitology-arthropoda-flea ; hemorrhagic fever ; epidemiology ; Ctenophthamus congeneroides congeneroides ; Stenoponia sidimi ; rat ; Apodemus agrarius ; Microtus fortis ; Eothenomys regulus ; Crocidura laciura ; Microtus agrarius ; Xenopsylla cheopsis ; Hystricopsylla microti ; Neopsylla bidentatiformis ; Rhadinopsylla insolita ; Peromiscopsylla hamifer cuneata ; Monopsylla anisus