Abstract: Background: The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is the most common ectoparasite of dogs and cats, and can transmit a variety of pathogens including zoonotic Bartonella and Rickettsia species. The risk factors underlying transmission of these pathogens are incompletely elucidated.
Objective: Describe the flea-borne pathogens of fleas from owned cats and dogs and determine associations between flea pathogen carriage and pet and household characteristics.
Animals: 32 homes in west central Florida with flea infestations, including 40 cats and 8 dogs.
Methods: Fleas on each cat and dog were counted using a standardized procedure, then collected; fleas in the home were also counted using overnight intermittent light traps, then collected. A survey was used to gather demographic and household information as potential explanatory variables. Fleas were pooled by animal and tested using 16S-rRNA next generation sequencing. Associations between the presence of Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. in fleas with potential explanatory variables were assessed using mixed effects modeling.
Results: There were 272 fleas collected from 40 cats in 31 homes, and 98 fleas from 8 dogs in 7 homes. Pathogens in fleas and the proportion of cats and dogs with fleas infected with each pathogen will be presented. Associations between the presence of Bartonella and Rickettsia spp. and potential explanatory variables, including host demographics, home characteristics, and geographic location, will be shown.
Conclusions: This study evaluated flea-borne pathogens in fleas from owned pets in their homes, reflecting potential flea-borne disease exposures for pets and pet owners with limited access to veterinary care.
.jpg "Erin Lashnits, MS, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM) photo")
