Parasitology: Fleas and Lice

Question 1

What order do fleas belong to?

Answer 1

Siphonaptera

Question 2

What parasite is associated with Order Siphonaptera

Answer 2

fleas

Question 3

What order do lice belong to?

Answer 3

Phthiraptera

Question 4

What parasite is associated with Order Phthiraptera

Answer 4

lice

Question 5

What order do flies generally belong to?

Answer 5

Diptera

Question 6

What parasite is associated with Order Diptera

Answer 6

flies

Question 7

What order do “true bugs” belong to?

Answer 7

Hemiptera

Question 8

What parasite is associated with Order Hemiptera

Answer 8

true bugs, such as bed bugs or kissing bugs

Question 9

What order to tick and mites belong to?

Answer 9

Acari, of the Class Arachnida

Question 10

In general, what is the body structure of an insect?

Answer 10

3 parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen

Question 11

In general, how many legs do the adults and, if present, larval stages of insects have?

Answer 11

adults: 6
Larvae: 6

Question 12

In general, what are the life stages of an insect?

Answer 12

egg -> larvae (may go through instars) -> adult

Question 13

In general, what is the body structure of ticks and mites?

Answer 13

2 parts: an idiosoma and a gnathosoma

Question 14

In general, how many legs do the life stages of ticks and mites have?

Answer 14

adults: 8
Nymphs: 8
Larvae: 6

Question 15

In general, what are the life stages of ticks and mites?

Answer 15

egg -> larva -> nymph -> adult

Question 16

T/F: Both insects and Acarines contain important disease vectors

Answer 16

True

Question 17

T/F: The salivary glands of insects and Acarines often harbor pathogens

Answer 17

true

Question 18

Oxygen diffusion typically occurs through ____ in insects and acarines

Answer 18

spiracles

Question 19

T/F: spiracles are sometimes used in identification

Answer 19

true

Question 20

In insects, where do the legs attach?

Answer 20

at the thorax

Question 21

What is complete development/metamorphosis?

Answer 21

development in which the larva bears no resemblance to the adult

Question 22

What is incomplete development/metamorphosis?

Answer 22

larva looks like a small adult

Question 23

Describe the lifecycle of the flea.

Answer 23

egg -> larva -> pupa -> adult

Question 24

T/F: Fleas are laterally expanded.

Answer 24

False

Fleas are laterally compressed

Question 25

Geographic distribution of fleas

Answer 25

worldwide

Question 26

What is the scientific name of the cat flea?

Answer 26

Ctenocephalides felis

Question 27

do Fleas undergo complete or incomplete metamorphosis?

Answer 27

complete

Question 28

Do fleas have wings?

Answer 28

nope, they're just hella good jumpers

Question 29

T/F: Fleas are macroscopic and yellow

Answer 29

False Fleas are macroscopic and generally brown

Question 30

T/F: Ctenocephalides felis is the most common flea of the dog and cat

Answer 30

true

Question 31

Do immature flea stages prefer cool temperatures and low humidity?

Answer 31

no, they prefer warm temperatures and high humidity

Question 32

What are C. felis considered once on the host?

Answer 32

permanent ectoparasites

Question 33

Do eggs laid on the host fall off or stay on? How soon do they usually hatch?

Answer 33

fall off within a few days

Question 34

What do flea larvae look like?

Answer 34

slender, white, 2-5 mm in length, may have a dark appearance from blood in intestine

Question 35

How long are fleas in their larval stage?

Answer 35

about 1 week

Question 36

Are flea larvae generally mobile?

Answer 36

they have very limited movement

Question 37

What do flea larvae eat?

Answer 37

organic debris, but require flea feces

Question 38

T/F: the pupal stage of the flea is not killed by pesticides.

Answer 38

true

Question 39

T/F: the time spent in the pupal stage is dependent on the environment

Answer 39

true; if the environment is warm and humid, an adult can emerge in roughly 5 days. However, adults can stay in pupa for several months

Question 40

What is the total length of life in a flea under PERFECT conditions? What stages does the flea spend most of its life?

Answer 40

roughly 2 weeks; egg-> pupa

Question 41

Can fleas stages survive sustained cold weather?

Answer 41

no, they're killed within 10 days at 37 degrees F

Question 42

Where do fleas stay to survive the winter environments?

Answer 42

homes and on reservoir hosts

Question 43

How is a C. felis infestation diagnosed?

Answer 43

Through observation. - can see some flea dirt - clinical signs including pruritis

Question 44

T/F: it is easy to convince a client that fleas are present

Answer 44

bahahahaha | False. Fucking false.

Question 45

What are some clinically important aspects of flea infestation?

Answer 45

- it is a common cause of vet visits | - you often see hypersensitivity reactions to flea saliva antigens (range of pruritis and hair loss)

Question 46

Where are fleas typically distributed on the host?

Answer 46

tailhead, thighs, abdomen, neck

Question 47

What other infections can fleas be a vector for?

Answer 47

- Dipylidium caninum (tapeworm) - Bartonella henselae and other Bartonella spp. (cat scratch fever) - fleas can also cause anemia in young animals

Question 48

Integrated flea control for fleas on animals includes....

Answer 48

- flea control - adulticides - products affecting eggs and larvae administered to animals

Question 49

Environmental flea control includes....

Answer 49

- Vacuuming!!! - laundering pet bedding, etc - traps, sprays, foggers, etc. - desiccant compounds

Question 50

Can you expect to have a high level of flea control outdoors?

Answer 50

nope

Question 51

What are good hosts for C. felis?

Answer 51

- dogs, cats, ferrets, - not humans, because we don't sustain their life cycles - calf and goat infestation likely originated from barn cats

Question 52

T/F: Other flea species are species-specific.

Answer 52

true

Question 53

what is the flea species of poultry?

Answer 53

Echidnophaga gallinacea

Question 54

What is the flea species of humans?

Answer 54

Pulex spp. These can also be found on dogs and cats

Question 55

What are the characteristics of lice?

Answer 55

The following are true across hosts: - small - wingless - dorsventrally flattened - often white or gray, some are brown - incomplete metamorphosis

Question 56

What are the two types of lice?

Answer 56

- Anoplura | - Mallophaga

Question 57

Which type of lice is considered the sucking lice

Answer 57

Anoplura

Question 58

What type of lice is Anoplura considered?

Answer 58

the sucking lice

Question 59

Which type of lice is considered biting or chewing lice?

Answer 59

Mallophaga

Question 60

What type of lice is Mallphaga considered?

Answer 60

Biting or chewing lice

Question 61

T/F: Lice are very host specific

Answer 61

true

Question 62

What is the geographical distribution of lice?

Answer 62

worldwide on hosts

Question 63

Where are lice eggs attached on hosts?

Answer 63

feathers or hairs

Question 64

What is the minimum life cycle of a louse

Answer 64

3 weeks

Question 65

How are lice transmitted to other hosts?

Answer 65

Direct contact or fomites

Question 66

T/F: Lice can survive off of the host for long periods of time

Answer 66

false

Question 67

T/F: Lice will be worse in winter for outdoor animals.

Answer 67

True

Question 68

Stressed animals are more or less susceptible to lice infestation?

Answer 68

more susceptible

Question 69

How do you diagnose a lice infestation?

Answer 69

observation of lice and eggs at predilection sites | clinical signs include: pruritis, hair loss, and poor hair coat

Question 70

What are some signs of severe lice infestation?

Answer 70

- anemia | - debilitation

Question 71

Did the lice cause an animal's disease or did the animal's disease allow for the lice infestation?

Answer 71

animal's disease allowed for the lice infestation

Question 72

Where are lice clinically important?

Answer 72

- common in food animals, poultry, and wild birds

Question 73

How do you treat lice?

Answer 73

physical removal (self and social grooming, shearing) - treat to kill adults, then treat in two weeks to kill what came from the egg - clean potential fomites as much as possible

Question 74

Should you only treat an infected animal or should you treat all animals when infestation is present?

Answer 74

TREAT ALL ANIMALS

Question 75

What is the head and body louse of the humans?

Answer 75

Pediculus

Question 76

What is the pubic louse of humans?

Answer 76

Phthirus