ПАРАЗИТОЛОГИЯ, 2020, том 54, № 2, с. 163-172.

УДК 576.591

MORPHOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION AND PREVALENCE

OF THE DOG FLEA CTENOCEPHALIDES CANIS (CURTIS, 1826)

AND THE CAT FLEA CTENOCEPHALIDES FELIS (BOUCHÉ, 1835)

IN DHAKA CITY, BANGLADESH

K. B. M. Saiful Islam^b, Uday Kumar Mohanta^a,*

^aDepartment of Microbiology and Parasitology,

^bDepartment of Medicine and Public Health,

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University,

Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, P. O. Box 1207, Dhaka, Bangladesh

*e-mail: uday_vet01@yahoo.com

Received 12.10.2019

Received after revision 22.12.2019

Accepted 12.01.2020

Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché, 1835) and Ctenocephalides canis (Curtis, 1826) are the most

important flea parasites of dogs and cats throughout the world; they themselves affect the host and act as

vectors of diseases. The main aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of Ctenocephalides

spp. in both stray and pet dogs and cats in Dhaka City.

A total of 25 flea infested dogs and 25 flea infested cats were collected from 57 dogs and 77 cats,

respectively. A higher prevalence was recorded in stray dogs (61.11 %) and cats (79.17 %) than that in

pet dogs (14.29 %) and cats (11.32 %). The prevalence of flea infestation was 48.28 % in young dogs

and 39.29 % in adult dogs, respectively. In case of cats, 34.62 % young and 31.37 % adults were found

to be infested by fleas. Among the examined dog fleas, 9 (60 %) were C. canis and 6 (40 %) were C.

felis. Again, among the examined fleas of cats, 2 (13.33 %) were C. canis and 13 (86.77 %) were C.

felis. Of the 11 C. canis identified, were 8 (72.73 %) female fleas and 3 (27.27 %) male fleas. Of the 19

examined C. felis identified as 18 (94.74 %) were female fleas and 1 (5.26 %) male flea. Both fleas have

public health significance. Therefore, proper attention needs to be paid for the prevention of flea borne

diseases through the control of dogs and cats.

Keywords: Ctenocehalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis, morphology, prevalence, Dhaka City,

Bangladesh

DOI: 10.31857/S1234567806020066

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Fleas, particularly species of the genus Ctenocephalides, are common ectoparasites of

dogs and cats throughout the world (Mircean et al., 2010; Gracia et al., 2013; Hajipour et al.,

2015). Fleas are clinically significant parasites for human health since they may play

a role as parasites by themselves causing allergic dermatitis or other conditions due to their

feeding activities. But, which is more important, they also serve as vectors transmitting

important pathogens. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is a known vector for Bartonella

henselae, Bartonella clarridgeiae, and Rickettsia felis, which can cause cat scratch disease,

endocarditis, and cat flea typhus in humans, respectively (Dryden, Rust, 1994; Kenny

et al., 2003; Kramer, Mencke, 2001). Dog and cat fleas are known to be intermediate hosts of

Dipylidium caninum, which can be transmitted to pets and humans (Soulsby, 1982; Guzman,

1984). Domestic animals such as dogs, cats, or other pets, may play an important role as

bridging hosts for fleas of different wild animals, domestic animals, and humans, as they come

into contact with different animals due to their seeking behavior and therefore acquire the

fleas of different animals (Dobler, Pfeffer, 2011). Fleas are the common etiology of dermatitis,

being responsible for producing allergic dermatitis (Sousa, 2012). Fleas infestations can

cause considerable irritation to animals and humans, and can lead to severe disorders, such

as anaemia and dermatological problems, because repeated infestation of dogs and cats

may result in hypersensitivity to components of flea saliva, which, in its turn, can cause

flea allergic dermatitis (Dryden, Rust, 1994; Kunkle et al., 2003; Newbury, Moriello, 2006).

These cat and dog fleas are known as vector of pathogens causing plague, murine typhus, and

feline leukemia. Approximately 94 % of all flea species are reported to feed on mammals.

The dog flea, C. canis, is an important ectoparasite of both wild and domestic canids around

the world (Durden et al., 2005). It is similar in appearance to the ubiquitous cat flea, C. felis,

but is encountered less frequently and thus has not been studied thoroughly. At least

36 important zoonotic diseases are acquired from dogs worldwide, although the occurrence

of some important zoonotic diseases acquired from dogs have reported from Bangladesh but

the inland reports on this aspect are very limited.

In our country, no detailed research on the mentioned flea species was performed. In the

present work, we had examined fleas collected from dogs and cats in Dhaka city.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Site selection

Fleas were collected from several areas in Dhaka city, including as the Central Veterinary Hospital

(CVH) at Alauddin road, People for Animal Welfare (PAW) at Lalmatia, Care for Paws (CFP) at Bosila

and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU), Bangladesh. Both stray and pet dogs and cats were

considered as study animal for the collection of fleas.

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Restraining of animals

Pet dogs and cats were restrained with the help of the owners. On the other hand, stray dogs and

cats, were restrained with the help of the assistant by covering the mouth with mask. Some dogs and

cats, which were anaesthetized during neutering or spaying, were examined for the presence of fleas.

Sample collection and preservation

Dogs and cats of all age groups and sexes in Dhaka City were considered as study animals. Dogs

and cats were exhaustively examined for fleas through an inspection of the head, neck, body, sides,

tail, and ventral regions of each animal. Fleas were collected by the use of forceps, and hand picking.

Collected fleas were stored in collection vials with proper labeling, and using a record book for further

information. Captured fleas were transported to laboratory of Microbiology and Parasitology, Sher-e-

Bangla Agricultural University, Bangladesh. Collected fleas were preserved in 70% ethanol for their

preservation and identification based on morphological features to the species level.

Clearing: Fleas were cleared by dissolving in 10 % potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution at room

temperature for overnight to allow transmitted light to pass through them. After clearing with KOH,

specimens were returned to distilled water or alcohol before being passed through the alcohol series

for dehydration.

Staining: Hematoxylin dye was used to stain the specimens. Specimens were kept in Hematoxylin

for overnight. Hematoxylin was added to the specimens while they were in 70 % alcohol. The specimen

became darker and darker as time in the stain was increased. Some of the stain leached from the

specimen in later stages of the dehydration series, so over staining was done to produce proper darkness

of the specimen.

Dehydration and mounting: Water was removed by dehydration because water in the specimen

would cloud the slide and make it difficult to see the desired characteristics as well as to prevent

specimen from spoiling by bacteria. Dehydration was accomplished by passing the specimens through

a series of increasingly concentrated grades of ethanol for 30 minutes in each step.

After dehydration in 100 % ethanol, the specimen was soaked in xylene before mounting on slides.

The amount of time spent in each step depends on the thickness of the specimen. The dehydrated

specimen was observed under microscope just before mounting in Canada balsam medium to observe

whether it is cleaned. If clouding was visible, the specimen was returned to earlier stages in the

dehydration series. After mounting, slides were dried very slowly by allowing them for several days.

The specimens were handled with care during the mounting process. Fine forceps, needles and insect

pins were used to handle the specimens during the mounting process.

Microscopic examination for morphology study

All fleas were identified microscopically at the laboratory, according to the keys and description for

identification (Lewis, 1993; Menier, Beaucournu, 1998; Durden, Traub, 2002).

RESULTS

A total of 15 fleas from 5 infested dogs, and 15 fleas from 6 infested cats were objected to

morphological identification. Two species, C. canis and C. felis were identified. Morphological

differences between the revealed species are shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and in Table 1.

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A total of 57 dogs and 77 cats were examined for infestation by fleas belonging to the

genus Ctenocephalides from different veterinary clinics and animal welfare associations of

Dhaka City (Table 2). A total of 25 flea infested dogs and 25 flea infested cats were found

from 57 dogs and 77 cats examined, respectively. In this study, a higher infestation rate of flea

was recorded in dogs (43.86 %) than in cats (32.47 %) (Table 2).

Higher infestation rate of flea was recorded in dogs (50%) rather than cats (24 %) in the

Central Veterinary Hospital (CVH). The prevalence of flea was observed in dogs (42.86 %)

and cats (34.09 %) in the veterinary clinics of People for Animal Welfare (PAW) at Lalmatia

(Table 3).

DISCUSSION

In the present study, two species of the genus Ctenocephalides were found in both dogs

and cats.

The population of C. canis was observed on dogs and cats from all the geographical

localities of Dhaka City. The individuals presented typical characteristics of this species: head

strongly convex anteriorly in both sexes and not noticeably elongate; the length of the head

was not twice longer than wide. Genal ctenidium presenting the first spine was approximately

shorter than the second one. Three spines were observed in the metepisternite or LMA in all

the individuals. Hind tibia with seven to eight seta-bearing notches along the dorsal margin

and presence of two single, short and stout bristles located between the postmedial and apical

long bristles were found in hind tibia. The manubrium of the clasper was dilated towards

its apex in case of male individuals. Typical spermatheca with apical part of elongated

hilla was observed in the posterior end of females. These above mentioned morphological

characteristics were agreed with those cited by Lewis (1993), Menier, Beaucournu (1998),

Beaucournu, Launay (1990), and Durden, Traub (2002). However, the degree of dilation of

the apex and the degree of elongation of the apical part (hilla) of the spermatheca was the

most differential character between both species what was in agreement with Menier and

Beaucournu (1998) and Lewis (1993), respectively. The length observed between the first

and the second genal spines was the most specific biometrical parameter observed between

both species and it was in agreement to Durden and Traub (2002), the length and wide ratio

of the head was a specific parameter to differentiate C. felis and C. canis.

In this study, an overall high prevalence of fleas was recorded in both dogs (43.86 %)

and cats (32.47 %) in Dhaka City. This high prevalence suggests that these fleas are very

common, and present major problems with regard to the health, and performances of these

important animals in the study area. Higher prevalence of fleas was observed in dogs than

that in cats, which may be due to more efficient grooming behavior of cats (Eckstein, Hart,

2000). Higher prevalence of fleas in stray dogs and cats than pet dogs and cats in Dhaka

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Table 1. Differential morphological properties between C. felis and C. canis

Characteristics

C. felis

C. canis

Shape of the head

Length is generally greater than

Length is not twice of the height

twice of the height of head

of head (Fig. 1Ca)

(Fig. 1Ba)

Length of the 1^st and 2^nd

First two spines are approximately

First spine is half as long as

spine of genal comb

equal in length

second spine in length (Fig. 1Cb)

(Fig. 1B a)

Number of bristles on the

Two (Fig. 1D)

Three (Fig. 1E)

LMA or metepisternite

Number of notches on

Tibiae of all 6 legs have

tibiae

5 to 6 notches (Fig. 1F)

7 to 8 notches

Number of stout bristles

One stout bristle in the interval

Two stout bristles in the interval

on the dorsal margin of the

between post-median and apical

hind tibia

long bristles (Fig. 2A)

long bristles (Fig. 2B)

Metatibial formula of

2-2-2-2-1-3

2-2-2-2-2-1-1-3

chaetotaxy

Male: shape of the

The clasper of the manubrium

manubrium of the clasper

is not expanded apically (Fig. 2C)

is expanded apically (Fig. 2D)

Female: length of hilla

Spermatheca contains short hilla

Spermatheca contains

of spermethica

(Fig. 2E)

comparatively long hilla (Fig. 2F)

Table 2. Overall number of animals was examined for flea infestation

Animal

Animal infested, %

Dog (n=57)

25 (43.86)

Cat (n=77)

25 (32.47)

Total (134)

50 (37.31)

Table 3. Comparison of the overall number of examined animals according to collection site

Location

Animal

Animal infested, %

Central Veterinary Hospital (CVH)

Dog (n=18)

9 (50)

Cat (n=25)

6 (24)

People for Animal Welfare (PAW)

Dog (n=35)

15 (42.86)

Cat (n=44)

15 (34.09)

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU)

Dog (n=1)

Cat (n=6)

3 (50)

Care for Paws (CFP)

Dog (n=4)

2 (50)

Cat (n=1)

Total

(134)

50 (37.31)

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City, which confirms to the previous study (Hsu, Wu, 2001 ) where it was reported that

80 of stray cats and 60 of stray dogs were infested with C. felis in Taipei, Taiwan. Lower

prevalence of fleas was recorded in pet dogs and cats may be due to proper supportive care

and management by their owners.

The prevalence amongst animals, more female fleas was recorded on animals in this

study. The most probable reason for this is that female individuals usually have a longer

lifespan than the male individuals. Male individuals also spend more time off the host and are

therefore more prone to predation or starvation than female individuals (Durden et al., 2005).

CONCLUSIONS

Fleas are clinically important ectoparasites for animal and human health since they

may play a role as parasites by themselves causing allergic dermatitis or other conditions.

Sometimes they serve as vectors and transmitting important disease causing pathogens. The

information presented here improves our understanding of flea infestation in Bangladesh.

In order to avoid any unpleasant situations, adequate preparations of flea control should be

implemented in Dhaka city and other parts of Bangladesh.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This project was supported by Ministry of National Science and Technology, Bangladesh.

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest about this publication.

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МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ИДЕНТИФИКАЦИЯ И РАСПРОСТРАНЕННОСТЬ

СОБАЧЬЕЙ БЛОХИ CTENOCEPHALIDES CANIS (CURTIS, 1826)

И КОШАЧЬЕЙ БЛОХИ CTENOCEPHALIDES FELIS (BOUCHÉ, 1835)

В ДАККЕ, БАНГЛАДЕШ

Удай Кумар Моханта^a,*

^aОтдел микробиологии и паразитологии,

^bОтдел медицины и здравоохранения,

Сельскохозяйственный Университет Шер-е-Бангла,

Шер-е-Бангла Нагар, п/я 1207, Дакка, Бангладеш

*e-mail: uday_vet01@yahoo.com

Ключевые слова: Ctenocehalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis, морфология, распро-

странение, Дакка, Бангладеш

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РЕЗЮМЕ

Блохи Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché, 1835) и Ctenocephalides canis (Curtis, 1826) являются

наиболее важными паразитами собак и кошек по всему миру; сами блохи вредят хозяевам и,

кроме того, служат переносчиками заболеваний. В цели данной работы входила оценка распро-

странения блох у домашних и бродячих собак и кошек в городе Дакка.

Из 57 исследованных собак и 77 кошек, 25 собак и 25 кошек были инфицированы блохами.

Блохи чаще встречались на диких собаках (61.11 %) и кошках (79.17 %), по сравнению с до-

машними собаками (14.29 %) и кошками (11.32 %). Зараженность молодых собак была выше

(48.28 % ) в сравнении со взрослыми собаками (39.29 %). Среди кошек,

34.62 % молодых

и 31.37 % взрослых кошек были заражены блохами. Среди блох, собранных с собак, 9 (60 %)

были представлены C. canis и 6 (40 %), C. felis. В то же время, среди блох, собранных с кошек,

2 (13.33 %) были представлены C. canis и 13 (86.77 %) C. felis. Из 11 определенных блох C. canis,

обнаружилось 8 (72.73 %) самок и 3 (27.27 %) самца. Из 19 изученных кошачьих блох C. felis,

18 (94.74 %) были представлены самками и 1 (5.26 %) самцом. Оба вида блох важны с точки зре-

ния здравоохранения, поэтому следует уделить особое внимание предотвращению распростра-

нения болезней, передаваемых блохами, путем ограничения численности бродячих животных.

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