Capacity of Xenopsylla gerbilli minax and X. conformis fleas to feed on man
Morozov, I.A.; Sagimbekov, U.A.
Meditsinskaia Parazitologiia i Parazitarnye Bolezni 50(3): 62-64
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-8326 PMID: 7254137 Document Number: 177368
The fleas Xenopsylla gerbilli minax Jordan and X. conformis (Wagn.) are common ectoparasites of gerbils in the Myunkum autonomous plague focus in the USSR, and the plague bacillus [Yersinia pestis] has been isolated from them more than once. In the absence of information in the literature on the ability of these fleas to attack man, the authors investigated the subject experimentally, using fleas from an insectary. The fleas were allowed a preliminary feed on a white mouse and then were starved for 10 days at 15-17 deg C and about 80% RH. At the end of this time they were kept for 24 h at 20-25 deg C, then placed in groups of 20 in a glass container that was held for 5 min against the lower side of a human forearm. They were then examined microscopically, and fresh blood was seen in the gut of 60-73% of them. It was found that females of X. conformis fed on man more actively than males, and 1.2 times more so than those of X. gerbilli minax. The high degree of biting activity of these fleas may facilitate transmission by them of the plague bacillus from rodents to man.