Transmission of Flea-Borne Zoonotic Agents
Abstract
Flea-borne zoonoses such as plague (Yersinia pestis) and murine typhus (Rickettsia typhi) caused significant numbers of human cases in the past and remain a public health concern. Other flea-borne human pathogens have emerged recently (e.g., Bartonella henselae, Rickettsia felis), and their mechanisms of transmission and impact on human health are not fully understood. Our review focuses on the ecology and epidemiology of the flea-borne bacterial zoonoses mentioned above with an emphasis on recent advancements in our understanding of how these organisms are transmitted by fleas, maintained in zoonotic cycles, and transmitted to humans. Emphasis is given to plague because of the considerable number of studies generated during the first decade of the twenty-first century that arose, in part, because of renewed interest in potential agents of bioterrorism, including Y. pestis.
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Pulex irritans has been experimentally proved to be a vector of Rickettsia typhi, although it is considered unlikely to be a primary source of the infection.
“Pulex irritans has also been experimentally proved to be a vector of R. typhi, although considered unlikely to be a primary source of the infection [30].”
From Fleas infesting pets in the era of emerging extra-intestinal nematodes (2013) · cites this paper as [30]
Ctenocephalides canis and Pulex irritans may also act as vectors of Rickettsia felis, and both cats and dogs have been found harbouring this bacterium, although their epidemiological role is yet to be fully addressed.
“Ctenocephalides canis and P. irritans may also act as vectors of R. felis, and both cats and dogs have been found harbouring this bacterium, although their epidemiological role is yet to be fully addressed [30,37-39].”
From Fleas infesting pets in the era of emerging extra-intestinal nematodes (2013) · cites this paper as [30]
Fleas of pets are capable of harboring Bartonella spp. and it seems plausible that Ctenocephalides felis transmits Bartonella henselae actively.
“Fleas of pets are capable of harboring Bartonella spp. and it seems plausible that C. felis transmits B. henselae actively.”
From Fleas infesting pets in the era of emerging extra-intestinal nematodes (2013) · cites this paper as [30]
Human infection by flea-borne Bartonella spp. generally occurs via scratches of infected cats, while flea bites do not seem to play a key role in the epidemiology of human bartonellosis.
“The human infection by flea-borne Bartonella spp. generally occurs via scratches of infected cats, whilst flea bites do not seem to play a key role in the epidemiology of human bartonellosis.”
From Fleas infesting pets in the era of emerging extra-intestinal nematodes (2013) · cites this paper as [30]
Infection of cats by bites of infected fleas has been experimentally demonstrated, although it is not considered a primary route of transmission.
“Infection of cats by bites of infected fleas has been experimentally demonstrated, although not considered a primary route of transmission [30,44,45].”
From Fleas infesting pets in the era of emerging extra-intestinal nematodes (2013) · cites this paper as [30]
The scenario of rainfall favouring vegetative production, small-mammal populations, rat flea-infestation rates and soil moisture enhances the probability of contact between infectious fleas and susceptible hosts and, consequently, of epizootic cases of plague.
“This scenario enhances the probability of contact between infectious fleas and susceptible hosts and, consequently, of epizootic cases of plague [30,67].”
From Fleas infesting pets in the era of emerging extra-intestinal nematodes (2013) · cites this paper as [30]
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References 127 · Cited by 239
- Authors
- Eisen, R. J., & Gage, K. L.
- Affiliations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
- ORCID
- Eisen, Rebecca J.
- Venue
- Annual Review of Entomology
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Published
- 2012-01-07
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 61-82
- ISSN
- 0066-4170 (ISSN-L)
- 1545-4487
- OpenAlex
- W2124211357
- Cited by
- 239
- References
- 127
- Citations by year
- 2026: 17 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 1.18
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annual Review of Entomology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Parasitology › Bartonella species infections research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Keywords
- plague, Yersinia pestis, murine typhus, Rickettsia typhi, Bartonella henselae, Rickettsia felis, flea-borne transmission, bioterrorism agents
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Bartonella Infections, Siphonaptera, Humans, Insect Vectors, Plague, Rickettsia typhi, Tularemia, Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne, Yersinia pestis, Zoonoses, Rickettsia felis, Host-Pathogen Interactions
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