Early-phase Transmission of Yersinia pestis by Cat Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and Their Potential Role as Vectors in a Plague-endemic Region of Uganda

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorEisen, Rebecca J.
dc.contributor.authorBorchert, Jeff N.
dc.contributor.authorHolmes, Jennifer L.
dc.contributor.authorAmatre, Gerald
dc.contributor.authorVan Wyk, Kristen
dc.contributor.authorEnscore, Russell E.
dc.contributor.authorBabi, Nackson
dc.contributor.authorAtiku, Linda A.
dc.contributor.authorWilder, Aryn P.
dc.contributor.authorVetter, Sara M.
dc.contributor.authorBearden, Scott W.
dc.contributor.authorMontenieri, John A.
dc.contributor.authorGage, Kenneth L.
dc.date.accessioned2021-12-16T07:29:47Z
dc.date.available2021-12-16T07:29:47Z
dc.date.issued2008
dc.description.abstractIn recent decades, the majority of human plague cases (caused by Yersinia pestis) have been reported from Africa. In northwest Uganda, which has had recent plague outbreaks, cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) have been reported as the most common fleas in the home environment, which is suspected to be a major exposure site for human plague in this country. In the past, C. felis has been viewed as only a nuisance-biting insect because limited laboratory studies suggested it is incapable of transmitting Y. pestis or is an inefficient vector. Our laboratory study shows that C. felis is a competent vector of plague bacteria, but that efficiency is low compared with another flea species collected in the same area: the oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis. On the other hand, despite its low vector efficiency, C. felis is the most common flea in human habitations in a plague-endemic region of Uganda (Arua and Nebbi Districts), and occasionally infests potential rodent reservoirs of Y. pestis such as the roof rat (Rattus rattus) or the Nile rat (Arvicanthisniloticus). Plague control programs in this region should remain focused on reducing rat flea populations, although our findings imply that cat fleas should not be ignored by these programs as they could play a significant role as secondary vectors.en_US
dc.identifier.citationEisen, R. J., Borchert, J. N., Holmes, J. L., Amatre, G., Van Wyk, K., Enscore, R. E., ... & Gage, K. L. (2008). Early-phase transmission of Yersinia pestis by cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and their potential role as vectors in a plague-endemic region of Uganda. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 78(6), 949-956. DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2008.78.949en_US
dc.identifier.uri10.4269/ajtmh.2008.78.949
dc.identifier.urihttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/xmlui/handle/123456789/694
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherThe American journal of tropical medicine and hygieneen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThe American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene;78(6)
dc.subjectEarly-phase Transmissionen_US
dc.subjectYersinia pestisen_US
dc.subjectCat Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis)en_US
dc.subjectVectorsen_US
dc.subjectPlague-Endemic Regionen_US
dc.subjectUgandaen_US
dc.titleEarly-phase Transmission of Yersinia pestis by Cat Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and Their Potential Role as Vectors in a Plague-endemic Region of Ugandaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
[The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene] Early-phase Transmission of Yersinia pestis by Cat Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and Their Potential Role as Vectors in a Plague-endemic Region of Uganda.pdf
Size:
210.36 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Medical and Health Sciences