Ectoparasites of dogs in home environments on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica

Abstract

Reports on ectoparasites on dogs in Central America are scarce. The aim of this study was to identify flea, louse and tick species infesting dogs in home environments on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica, and determine their frequency and coexistence. Ectoparasites were collected from dogs in 83 rural homes at five study sites. Specimens were identified and separated according to species. Fleas were the most common ectoparasite (G = 22,217, DF = 8, p = 0.004). Ctenocephalides felis and Pulex simulans were found in 83% and 55% of the homes with ectoparasites, respectively. Trichodectes canis (13%), Heterodoxus spiniger (10%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (18%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (5%) and Amblyomma ovale (8%) were also present. More than one species was collected in most cases (66%), and the most common combination was C. felis and P. simulans (59% of homes with fleas). The high frequency of P. simulans emphasizes the need for adequate identification. This was the first study involving different ectoparasites of dogs in Costa Rica, as well as the first report of T. canis in this country. The relative frequency and coexistence of these ectoparasites in the home environment may have implications for animal and human health.Keywords: Domestic dogs, Pulex simulans, Ixodida, Siphonaptera, Phthiraptera, Costa Rica. ResumoRelatos de ectoparasitos em cães da América Central são escassos. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar espécies de pulgas, piolhos e carrapatos que infestam os cães no ambiente doméstico da vertente Caribe da Costa Rica, determinando sua frequência e coexistência. Foram coletados ectoparasitos de cães em 83 casas rurais de cinco sítios do estudo. Os indivíduos foram separados e identificados. Os ectoparasitos mais comuns foram as pulgas (G = 22.217, DF = 8, p = 0.004). Ctenocephalides felis e Pulex simulans foram observados em 83% e 55% das moradias com ectoparasitos, respectivamente. Da mesma forma também foram observados Trichodectes canis (13%), Heterodoxus spiniger (10%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (18%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (5%) e Amblyomma ovale (8%). Na maioria dos casos, mais de uma espécie foi achada (66%), sendo que a combinação mais comum foi C. felis e P. simulans (59% de moradias com pulgas). A frequência alta de P. simulans ressalta a necessidade de sua adequada identificação. Este é o primeiro estudo que envolve diferentes ectoparasitas de cães na Costa Rica, da mesma forma, é o primeiro relato de T. canis no país. A frequência relativa e coexistência destes ectoparasitos no ambiente domiciliar poderiam ter implicações na saúde animal e humana.

Detection of rickettsiae in fleas and ticks from areas of Costa Rica with history of spotted fever group rickettsioses

“…Studies have shown that DNA sequences of the gltA and other genes from both rickettsiae are very similar; hence they are probably the same species (Jiang et al, 2013;Oteo et al, 2014;Faccini-Martínez et al, 2016). At study sites, infection rate with this Rickettsia was much higher in pools of C. felis, but they were also detected in P. simulans, which commonly co-infest dogs in these areas (Troyo et al, 2012b). The lower infection rate in P. simulans, despite a large number of flea pools analyzed from the same vertebrate hosts, agrees with other studies that show absence of rickettsiae in Pulex fleas and may indicate alternative and less-frequent infection routes, such as co-feeding (Oteo et al, 2014;Brown et al, 2015).…”

“…The main collection sites have been described previously (Troyo et al, 2012b). Sites are located to the North and East (Caribbean) regions of Costa Rica and have reported cases of spotted fevers in the past (Campbell et al, 1978;Fuentes, 1979;Hun et al, 1991;Hun-Opfer, 2008).…”

First report of Babesia gibsoni in Central America and survey for vector-borne infections in dogs from Nicaragua

“…Although apparently uncommon, E. canis can infect people [30] and health workers in Central America should be aware of the high prevalence of ehrlichiosis in dogs and the possibility of infections in their patients, particularly those with a history of tick bites [8,9,31]. …”

Molecular Detection ofBartonellaSpecies in Fleas Collected from Dogs and Cats from Costa Rica

“…This region is characterized by continuous wet (annual rainfall of 2500 to 3000 mm) and warm (mean temperatures of 23-26°C) conditions without distinct seasonality. The collection sites and methods have been described elsewhere (Troyo et al 2012a). Briefly, permission from owners was obtained to search dogs and cats for ectoparasites, which were collected with the aid of combs and forceps.…”