Fleas and trypanosomes of peridomestic small mammals in sub-Saharan Mali.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fleas are obligate blood-feeding ectoparasites and vectors of several bacterial zoonotic pathogens as well as trypanosomes that parasitize rodents and other small mammals. During investigations of tick- and rodent-borne diseases in Mali, West Africa, we included fleas and rodent-borne trypanosomes, both of which are poorly known in this country, but are attracting greater public health interest.

Methods

Small mammals were captured in 20 Malian villages from December 2007 to October 2011. Fleas were collected and identified to species, and thin blood smears were prepared, stained and examined microscopically for trypanosomes.

Results

We captured 744 small mammals, 68 (9.1 %) of which yielded fleas. Two species of fleas, Xenopsylla cheopis and Xenopsylla nubi

SUBMITTER: Schwan TG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5057378 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature