Poor vector competence of the human flea, Pulex irritans, to transmit Yersinia pestis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The human flea, Pulex irritans, is widespread globally and has a long association with humans, one of its principal hosts. Its role in plague transmission is still under discussion, although its high prevalence in plague-endemic regions and the presence of infected fleas of this species during plague outbreaks has led to proposals that it has been a significant vector in human-to-human transmission in some historical and present-day epidemiologic situations. However, based on a limited number of studies, P. irritans is considered to be a poor vector and receives very little attention from public health policymakers. In this study we examined the vector competence of P. irritans collected from foxes and owls in the western United States, using a standard protocol and arti

SUBMITTER: Miarinjara A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8194109 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature