Xenopsylla buxtoni fleas as a dominant species harboring multiple infections of Wolbachia lineages in the ancient plague epicenters of Iran.

ABSTRACT: Fleas are permissive and euryxenous ectoparasites capable of transmitting numerous ancient and new pathogens among warm-blooded animals, including humans. Precise identification of flea species involved in disease transmission and understanding the highly specialized morphological characteristics associated with their ectoparasitic lifestyle is essential. Likewise, identifying endosymbionts such as Wolbachia-which have long-lasting and intimate relationships with their hosts-will enhance our knowledge of the epidemiology of flea-borne diseases and their control. Flea sampling was conducted in the western half of Iran, where the highest plague outbreaks have been reported over the past two centuries. A total of 1,439 fleas, comprising 623 males and 816 females, were detached from 223 hosts

SUBMITTER: Seidi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12904580 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature