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Molecular Identification, Multigenic Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Ctenocephalides Canis Fleas from Humans and Domestic Animals in Iran

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Abstract

Background

Fleas belonging to the Pulicidae are prevalent ectoparasites infesting mammals and birds in Iran. This study focused on genetically identifying and characterizing Ctenocephalides canis collected both off-host and infesting humans and various domestic animals in the country.

Methods

A total of 918 adult flea samples were collected from 10 sites in western and northwestern Iran between April 2018 and May 2019. Out of these, 71 specimens were found off-host, while the remaining fleas were collected from humans (121), sheep (126), goats (184), and dogs (416). Morphological identification at the genus level was performed on all fleas, and ten selected specimens selected based on the sampling sites and hosts were subjected to molecular detection at the species level by using partial amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1 and 2, as well as the cytochrome oxidase I (COXI) markers.

Results

The morphological identification confirmed all fleas as Ctenocephalides spp. Alignment and phylogenetic analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial partial sequences confirmed the presence of C. canis. However, molecular divergence was observed among the ten isolates based on the ITS1 and ITS2 with diversity rates estimated at 0.15% and 3.36%, respectively. Notably, the analysis of the COXI marker revealed no molecular divergence among the partial sequences representing the ten studied isolates from C. canis.

Conclusions

This study explores the diversity of C. canis in the western and northwestern regions of Iran, providing insights into their molecular taxonomy and potential role as disease vectors in these areas.

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Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the members of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Urmia University Research Council for the approval and financial support of this research. The authors claim that they have no disputes of interest.

Funding

The study was funded by Urmia University, Iran.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, West Azerbaijan, Iran

    Shahin Seidi, Mousa Tavassoli & Farnaz Malekifard

  2. Laboratory of Microbiology, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia

    Mourad Ben Said

  3. Department of Basic Sciences, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia

    Mourad Ben Said

Authors
  1. Shahin Seidi
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  2. Mousa Tavassoli
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Contributions

SS conceptualized the study, supervised the project, and wrote the original draft. SS, MT and FMF conducted investigations, contributed to methodology, and performed formal analysis. MBS validated results, and edited and finalized the manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Mousa Tavassoli or Mourad Ben Said.

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Seidi, S., Tavassoli, M., Malekifard, F. et al. Molecular Identification, Multigenic Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Ctenocephalides Canis Fleas from Humans and Domestic Animals in Iran. Acta Parasit. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-024-00846-7

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