Diversity and Relative Abundance of Medically Important Fleas in the Rural Areas of Kohgiloye-and-Boyerahmad, Iran

Background and Aim: Fleas are the most important ectoparasites of humans and domestic animals. Their bites are painful, usually accompanied with itching; in addition, they transmit diseases such as plague, tularemia, and endemic typhus. The aim of this study was to identify species of fleas in the rural areas and animal farms in Boyerahmad Materials and Methods: This study, conducted for 6 months, from April to September 2007, included 30 villages of the Boyerahmad District (30 ° 9'-31 ° 32 'N: 49 ° 57'- 50 ° 42'). To collect fleas, the common catch methods, such as fly paper, light trap, etc. were District, Kohgiloye-and-Boyerahmad Province, Iran.used. The samples collected were kept in 70%-ethanol, and then, after clarifying and dehydration, were identified in the laboratory using valid keys. Results: A total of 2435 fleas (54% males and 46% females) belonging to two families (Placida and Ceratophylidae), 4 genera and 7 species were collected. The most common species was Xenopsylla buxtoni (24.7%), followed by the dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis (21.4%), the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (18.5%), Xenopsylla astia (14.5%), Xenopsylla nuttalli (7.6%), Pulex irritans (7.2%), and N. fasciatus (6.1%). The fleas abundance (mean ± SE) in human and animal habitats was found to be 0.7±0.06 and 3.4± 0.2, respectively. Conclusion: On the whole, the flea species are quite diverse and abundant in the rural areas of Boyerahmad District in human and, particularly, animal habitats. This is a serious problem. Measures should be taken to control the fleas, particularly in rural areas.