Ectoparasites V: Fleas and Lice Flashcards by Anika Eidson

Are fleas insects or arachndis?

Insects

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What are fleas the best at in the animal kingdom?

Jumping

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What are characteristics of fleas?

Bilaterally flat, chitinized, wingless
Combs on some species
Blood feeders with host preferences

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What is the flea life cycle?

Complex metamorphosis
Eggs are laid on host but fall off into the environment
Hatching in environment takes 2-5 days
1 stage larvae feed on organic matter to become 2nd stage larvae
3rd stage larvae become pupa in a silk cocoon with debris on outside
Adults emerge after 1-2 weeks in environment; delayed emergence up to 4 months
Adult has several blood meals per day and lays 25-40 eggs/day

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How can you diagnose “pulicosis”?

History: evidence of fleas or pruritus
Exam: evidence of fleas, eggs, larvae; evidence of flea feces
May cause hypersensitivity reaction

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What is the species of the cat flea?

Ctenocephalides felis

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What is the species of the dog flea?

Ctenocephalides canis

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What is the species of the human flea?

Pulex irritans

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What is the species of the sticktight flea?

Echidnophaga gallinacea

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What is the species of the oriental rat flea?

Xenopsylla cheopis

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What is the host of Ctenocephalides felis?

Wide range of hosts, but prefers cats

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What is the worldwide distribution of Ctenocephalides felis?

Most common ectoparasite of dogs and cats in North America

Uncommon in arid areas

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What kind of disease can Ctenocephalides felis cause?

Direct and indirect

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How does Ctenocephalides felis infestation occur?

Adults emerge from pupae with mechanical CO2, temperature cues
Begin feeding immediately
Females begin egg-laying in a day
Larvae desiccate easily

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How much blood can a Ctenocephalides felis ingest per day?

13.6 μL

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What are the hosts of Ctenocephalides canis?

Narrow host range compared to C. felis

Mainly canids

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What are the hosts of Pulex irritans?

Mainly humans, swine, and dogs

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What is the distribution of Pulex irritans?

Worldwide, but patchy areas

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What are the unique characteristics of Pulex irritans?

Lack combs

Ocular bristle

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What are the hosts of Echidnophaga gallinacea?

Poultry (and other birds)*

Dogs, cats, and other species

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What is the distribution of Echidnophaga gallinacea?

Mainly in tropical areas

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What are the unique characteristics of Echidnophaga gallinacea?

Small size
Lack combs
Angled head

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Describe the direct disease process of Echidnophaga gallinacea?

Infest bare areas— ulcers— anemia, secondary infections

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What are the hosts of Xenopsylla cheopis?

Rats*
Humans
Dogs

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What is the distribution of Xenopsylla cheopis?

Tropic and subtropics

What are the unique characteristics of Xenopsylla cheopis?

Lack combs | Ocular bristly

What are flea-associated direct diseases?

Flea allergy dermatitis | Anemia

What are flea-associated indirect diseases?

Cestodes Nematodes Bacteria Viruses- myxoma viruses

What is flea bite hypersensitivity?

Allergic reaction to antigens in flea saliva

What is the most common cause of pruritus in dogs and cats?

Flea bite hypersensitivity

What are the clinical signs of pruritus in dogs?

Lesions often begin on rump, abdomen, inner thighs

What are the clinical signs of pruritus in cats?

Lesions often begin on head, neck, dorsum

Describe the cestode indirect disease Dipylidium caninum

Flea tapeworm | Transmitted primarily by Ctenocephalides felis

Describe nematode indirect disease Acanthocheilonema reconditum

Non-pathogenic Subcutaneous tissues of dogs Transmitted primarily by C. felis (IH)

Describe bacteria indirect disease Bartonella henselae

Cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis Cats are reservoir for B. henselae Transmission mainly by C. felis

Describe bacteria indirect disease Yersinia pestis

Plague | Transmitted by Xenopsylla cheopis

Describe bacteria indirect disease Rickettsia

Rickettsia typhi: murine typhus- humans, US | Rickettsia felis: cat flea rickettsiosis

What does Francisella tularensis cause?

Tularemia

Describe Myxoma virus (myxomatosis)

European rabbits show disease | Historical use in population control

What are Mallophaga lice?

Chweing/biting lice

What are Anoplura lice?

Sucking lice

What are the general louse characteristics?

Host specific Stout legs and claws Wingless Dorso-ventrally flattened

What is the louse life cycle?

Simple metamorphosis Adult lice are unable to survive more than 1-2 days off host Usually remain on same host Transmission by direct contact, phoresis

What is the difference between female lice and fleas in terms of eggs?

Lice lay several eggs per days whereas fleas lay dozens

What are characteristics of Anoplura?

Head narrower than thorax Blood feeders Placental mammals

What are characteristics of mallophaga?

Head broader than thorax Feed by biting/scraping/skin feathers Mammals and birds

What is the common louse genera for dogs?

Anoplura: Linognathus Mallophaga: Trichodectes

What is the common louse genera for cats?

Anoplura: None Mallophaga: Felicola

What is the common louse genera for horses?

Anoplura: Haematopinus Mallophaga: Damalinia

What is the common louse genera for pigs?

Anoplura: Haematopinus Mallophaga: None

What is the common louse genera for cows?

Anoplura: Haematopinus, Linognathus, Solenoptes Mallophaga: Damalinia

What is the common louse genera for sheep/goats?

Anoplura: Linognathus Mallophaga: Damalinia

What is the common louse genera for humans?

Anoplura: Phthirus, Pediculus Mallophaga: None

What dog breeds commonly get Linognathus?

Long ear breeds

Where does Linognathus typically appear in dogs? What does it cause?

Head, neck, beneath collars Primarily long ear breeds May cause anemia

When is Haematopinus must often seen in cattle?

During the summer

Describe Haematopinus in cattle

Largest louse Mature cattle Gulf Coast states

What is the most common species of lice in swine?

Haematopinus suis

Describe Haematopinus in horses

May get greasy skin, bald areas over most of body | Uncommon

Describe Phthirus

Mainly on humans Pubic area, chest hairs, beard, eyelshes Transmission via fomites Occasionally on pets

Describe Pediculus

``` Human body louse, "cootie" Prefers seams of clothing to hide, lay eggs Human head louse Scalp, ears, nape of neck Dog infestation are uncommon ```

Describe Solenoptes

Cattle Eggs cause hairs to bend Primarily seen in southern US, Australia

Describe Trichodectes

Canids Harmful in puppies, old/debilitated dogs Like to congregate around body, wounds Intense pruritus; sleeplessness; matted coat

Describe Felicola

Domestic cats Cats with underlying disease or aged Dull, ruffled coat, scaling, crusts, alopecia

Describe Damalinia

Cattle, sheep, goats, horses | Potentially damage wool

What kind of lice do birds have?

``` Chewing lice (Mallophaga) For example, Menacanthus ```

Describe Menacanthus

Chicken body louse Vent, breast, thigh Eat barbs and barbules Inflammation, localized scabs, blood clots

What is Menopon spp?

Shaft louse

What is the direct disease caused by lice?

Pediculosis

What are indirect diseases caused by life?

Cestodes (Dipylidium caninum) Viruses (swine pox) Human disease agents rickettsiae and Bartonella

What is pediculosis common in?

Immunosuppressed | Large animals

What is Dipylidium caninum?

Flea tapeworm

What is a major vector of swine pox?

Heatopinus suis

What are the anoplura (sucking) lice genera?

``` Linognathus Hematopinus Phthirus Pediculus Solenoptes ```

What are the mallophaga (chewing) lice genera?

``` Trichodectes Felicola Damalinia Menacanthus Menopon ```