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Background:
Ixodid ticks (Acari: İxodidae) and fleas (Siphonaptera) are the major vectors of pathogens threatening animals and human healths. The aim of our study was to detect the infestation rates of East Hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor) with ticks and fleas in Van Province, eastern region of Turkey.
Methods:
We examined fleas and ticks infestat...
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Background: Parasites are ubiquitous in the biology of host components, and must therefore be sampled to analyze interspecific as well as other aspects of their natural history relationships, both hosts of parasites themselves. Objective: This study has focused on the ecology of ectoparasitic of Algerian hedgehog at the mountains of Edough, through...
Background
The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is known for high levels of ectoparasitism that not only represents a health risk for the animals themselves, but also for pet animals and humans as hedgehogs are frequently taken into human care. In the present study, patterns of ectoparasite infestation were assessed in hedgehogs taken into c...
There is a wide distribution of small mammals all over the world and they harbor a large number of ectoparasites. The objectives of this project were to determine the prevalence and intensity of ectoparasites of small mammals in the Razan plain region. From February 2010 to November 2013, small mammals were collected by live traps. Animals were ane...
Fleas infecting northern white-breasted hedgehogs, Erinaceus roumanicus (Barrett-Hamilton), collected from 2009-2011 in Budapest (Hungary) were studied. A total of 305 white-breasted hedgehogs were captured and 1,251 fleas were collected. The flea community comprised two species, the hedgehog flea Archaeopsylla erinacei (Bouche, 1835) and the dog f...
The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is known to host several ectoparasites and also tick-borne
pathogens, but there is scant information on its eastern relative, the Northern white-breasted hedgehog
(Erinaceus roumanicus). We have studied an urban population of E. roumanicus in a city park of central
Budapest, Hungary, for 2 years to invest...
Citations
... (i). Archaeopsylla erinacei (known as the hedgehog flea) is the most prevalent species infesting hedgehogs worldwide [21,22]. It is frequently reported in both wild and urban settings where hedgehogs are present. ...
Hedgehogs are small omnivorous mammals prevalent across Europe, Asia, and Africa. The expanding intrusion of humans into hedgehog habitats and rising popularity of keeping exotic animals like hedgehogs as pets have disrupted the delicate balance of the human–animal–environment interface. Despite their ecological importance, hedgehog-borne flea species have received limited research attention, with most studies focusing on their vectorial role, and except one report, nothing on the species composition and genetic diversity of hedgehog flea specimens. An inventory and phylogenetic investigation, conducted for the first time in Algeria as well as in North Africa, allowed for collecting 45 hedgehogs (15 males and 30 females) and 303 fleas, and analyzing them through morphological and molecular approaches. The hedgehog specimens were subjected to macro- and microscopic examinations based on diagnostic morphological criteria and morphometric measurements, resulting in their identification as Atelerix algirus. This study represents the first report of this species’ prevalence in Djelfa. The ecological and geographical diversity of the studied areas, from arid deserts to humid regions, highlights the adaptability and resilience of A. algirus to diverse habitats. Additionally, 271 and 32 flea specimens were morphologically identified as Archaeopsylla erinacei and Ctenocephalides felis, respectively. Molecular examination targeting ITS1-rDNA further confirmed the morphological identification of fleas species. Phylogenetic analysis of fleas’ ITS1-rDNA sequences revealed heterogeneity, with the specimens clustering into two distinct clades. The first clade comprised two populations of A. erinacei, while the second clade included C. felis specimens of this study, grouped with homologous sequences from various regions worldwide. No correlation between flea species and geographical locations was observed demonstrating the sympatric distribution of flea specimens in the studied regions. In addition, no hybrid or genetic combination notion was observed among the flea specimens processed in this study compared with those coming from other countries. These findings contribute to our understanding of the species composition and distribution of hedgehogs and their flea ectoparasites in Algeria and provide a baseline for future epidemiological and entomological research in the country.
... Hedgehogs play an important role in the transmission and maintenance of zoonotic pathogens as they serve as reservoirs and ectoparasite hosts to a range of diseases and arthropod vectors [10]. Tick species from the genera Hyalomma, Amblyomma, Haemaphysalis, Dermacentor, Ornithodoros, and Rhipicephalus have been recorded on hedgehogs [11,12]. Tick-infested hedgehogs are known to harbor Borrelia spp., Rickettsia felis, A. marginale, and A. phagocytophilum [12][13][14]. ...
Hedgehogs can act as reservoirs for the transmission of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) to domestic livestock, wild animals, and humans. Understanding host–tick dynamics is essential to evaluate the impact of TBPs. This study was conducted in Pakistan and aimed to determine the prevalence and species of TBPs in the blood and ticks of Indian long-eared hedgehogs captured from various environments. A total of 64 hedgehogs were captured to check for tick infestation. Tick species were identified morphologically and molecularly including ITS-2 region amplification by PCR and subsequent Sanger sequencing. Moreover, TBPs were identified in both ticks and the blood of hedgehogs through conventional PCR and sequencing, targeting the regions msp1b, 18S rRNA, and cytb for Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., and Theileria spp., respectively. Out of 64 hedgehogs, 16 (25%) were found to be infested with ticks. Morphological and molecular analysis identified all 109 collected ticks as Rhipicephalus turanicus. Only one hedgehog (6.2%) was infected with A. marginale. From the tick samples, 3.7% tested positive for Theileria lestoquardi, 2.8% for Anaplasma marginale, and another 2.8% for Babesia bigemina. This study provides critical insights into circulating TBPs in this region and what possible role hedgehogs might play in disease maintenance for Anaplasma marginale while identifying multiple pathogens that are of concern to human and animal health.
... During the literature review on the planning phase of this study, no study was found to investigate Salmonella and parasite prevalence in hedgehogs in Istanbul, Türkiye. To our knowledge on parasitological examination, only three studies were performed in other cities of Türkiye, one of them on the helminths and the other two were on ectoparasites of hedgehogs (Çırak et al. 2010;Girişgin et al. 2015;Goz et al. 2016). ...
Hedgehogs, which are kept as pets worldwide, are prohibited from being sold or kept as pets in Türkiye. The aim of the study was to investigate Salmonella and endo-parasite carriage in hedgehogs and to determine the antibacterial resistance profiles of isolated Salmonella agents. Free-range hedgehogs living in parks and gardens of Istanbul that were brought to veterinary clinics by animal lovers for check-up and treatment were used for sampling. Thirty faecal samples were taken from the animals. For bacteriological examinations, samples were seeded on selective media, and then the isolates were identified by conventional methods as Salmonella spp. Identification and antibiotic susceptibilities of the isolates were determined by the BD Phoenix Automated Microbiology System. All faecal samples were also investigated by PCR for Salmonella spp. specific gene regions. The aminoglycoside and quinolone resistance profiles of the strains were analysed by PCR. On parasitological examination, samples were analysed for parasites’ eggs, oocysts, and larvae. Two Salmonella isolates were determined as Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ( S. Typhimurium ), whose antigenic formula was 4,5,12:i:1,2. The isolates were phenotypically resistant to ciprofloxacin but did not harbour any of the genes examined. Out of 30 faecal samples, 19 (63.3%) were positive for one or more genera of parasites. The hedgehogs were infected with the species of Capillaria spp. (60%), Crenosoma spp. (13.3%), Eimeria spp. (10%) and Acanthocephala spp. (6.6%). This study is the first report of Salmonella carrier and internal parasite fauna of hedgehogs in Istanbul, Türkiye.
... The most common species of flea collected from hedgehogs is Archaeopsylla erinacei (Fig. 2) [4,16,18,21,32]. Other flea species have also been reported (Leptopsylla segnis, Ctenocephalides canis and Ctencephalides felis) [17,18,33,34]. ...
Hedgehogs are small synanthropic mammals that live in rural areas as well as in urban and suburban areas. They can be reservoirs of several microorganisms, including certain pathogenic agents that cause human and animal public health issues. Hedgehogs are often parasitized by blood-sucking arthropods, mainly hard ticks and fleas, which in turn can also carry various vector-born microorganisms of zoonotic importance. Many biotic factors, such as urbanization and agricultural mechanization, have resulted in the destruction of the hedgehog’s natural habitats, leading these animals to take refuge near human dwellings, seeking food and shelter in parks and gardens and exposing humans to zoonotic agents that can be transmitted either directly by them or indirectly by their ectoparasites. In this review, we focus on the microorganisms detected in arthropods sampled from hedgehogs worldwide. Several microorganisms have been reported in ticks collected from these animals, including various Borrelia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Rickettsia spp. species as well as Coxiella burnetii and Leptospira spp. As for fleas, C. burnetii, Rickettsia spp., Wolbachia spp., Mycobacterium spp. and various Bartonella species have been reported. The detection of these microorganisms in arthropods does not necessarily mean that they can be transmitted to humans and animals. While the vector capacity and competence of fleas and ticks for some of these microorganisms has been proven, in other cases the microorganisms may have simply been ingested with blood taken from an infected host. Further investigations are needed to clarify this issue. As hedgehogs are protected animals, handling them is highly regulated, making it difficult to conduct epidemiological studies on them. Their ectoparasites represent a very interesting source of information on microorganisms circulating in populations of these animals, especially vector-born ones.
Graphical abstract
... Hedgehogs have been found infested with species of different tick genera including Amblyomma spp., Dermacentor spp., Hyalomma spp., Haemaphysalis spp., Rhipicephalus spp., and Ornithodoros spp. [13,14]. Hedgehogs infested by ticks may carry various tick-borne pathogens including tick-borne encephalitis virus, Borrelia spp., Anaplasma marginale, and A. phagocytophilum and may serve as a reservoir for various other unknown infectious agents [14][15][16]. ...
... turanicus were found infesting wild boars. Rh. turanicus has been previously reported as infesting hedgehogs in Iran [14] and Turkey [13]. Accordingly, Rh. turanicus infestation in hedgehogs, as observed in this study, provides evidence that hedgehogs are not accidental hosts for this tick. ...
Rickettsia spp. associated with ticks infesting wild animals have been mostly neglected in several countries, including Pakistan. To address this knowledge gap, ticks were collected during 2017 to 2021 from wild animals including cats (Felis chaus), Indian hedgehogs (Paraechinus micropus), and wild boars (Sus scrofa). The collected ticks were morpho-molecularly identified and screened for the detection of Rickettsia spp. Morphologically identified ticks were categorized into four species of the genus Rhipicephalus: Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Rh. turanicus, Rh. sanguineus sensu lato (s.l), and Rh. microplus. Among 53 wild animals examined, 31 were infested by 531 ticks, an overall prevalence of 58.4%. Adult female ticks were predominant (242 out of 513 ticks collected, corresponding to 46%) in comparison with males (172, 32%), nymphs (80, 15%) and larvae (37, 7%). The most prevalent tick species was Rh. turanicus (266, 50%), followed by Rh. microplus (123, 23%), Rh. sanguineus (106, 20%), and Rh. haemaphysaloides (36, 7%). Among the screened wild animals, wild boars were the most highly infested, with 268 ticks being collected from these animals (50.4%), followed by cats (145, 27.3%) and hedgehogs (118, 22.3%). Tick species Rh. haemaphysaloides, Rh. turanicus, and Rh. sanguineus were found on wild boars, Rh. haemaphysaloides, and Rh. microplus on cats, and Rh. turanicus on hedgehogs. In a phylogenetic analysis, mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase 1 (cox1) sequences obtained from a subsample (120) of the collected ticks clustered with sequences from Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Myanmar, and Pakistan, while 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) sequences clustered with sequences reported from Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Romania, Serbia, and Taiwan. Among Rickettsia infected ticks (10/120, 8.3%), Rh. turanicus (7/10, 70%), and Rh. haemaphysaloides (3/10, 30%) were found infesting wild boars in the districts Mardan and Charsadda. The obtained rickettsial gltA gene sequences showed 99% and ompA gene sequences showed 100% identity with Rickettsia massiliae, and the phylogenetic tree shows ompA clustered with the same species reported from France, Greece, Spain, and USA. This study emphasizes the need for effective surveillance and control programs in the region to prevent health risks due to tick-borne pathogens, and that healthy infested wild animals may play a role in the spread of these parasites.
... They are all classified as Least Concern (LC) in the list of species threatened with extinction except P. aethiopicus which is classified as Data Deficient (DD) [1][2][3]. Hedgehogs are often parasitized by fleas, including Archaeopsylla erinacei, Ctenocephalides canis, C. felis and Leptopsylla segnis [2][3][4][5] and ticks, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., Haemaphysalis erinacei, Hae. parva, Ixodes hexagonus, I. ricinus and Hyalomma excavatum [2][3][4]6]. ...
... Hedgehogs are often parasitized by fleas, including Archaeopsylla erinacei, Ctenocephalides canis, C. felis and Leptopsylla segnis [2][3][4][5] and ticks, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l., Haemaphysalis erinacei, Hae. parva, Ixodes hexagonus, I. ricinus and Hyalomma excavatum [2][3][4]6]. In recent decades, the development of molecular tools has made it possible to identify microorganisms infecting hedgehogs and their ectoparasites [7]. ...
Hedgehogs are small mammals. They are potential reservoirs of various zoonotic agents. This study was conducted in Bouira, a north-central region of Algeria. A total of 21 Atelerix algirus corpses were picked up on roadsides and gardens. Hedgehog kidneys, spleens and ectoparasites were collected. Twelve hedgehogs were infested with ectoparasites, including Archaeopsylla erinacei, Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. and Haemaphysalis erinacei. Hedgehog organs and randomly selected arthropods were screened for microorganisms using molecular methods. Coxiella burnetii was detected in kidneys, spleens, A. erinacei, Hae. erinacei and Rh. sanguineus s.l. Leptospira interrogans was detected in kidneys. Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia massiliae were detected respectively in A. erinacei and in Rh. sanguineus s.l. DNA of an uncultivated Rickettsia spp. was found in Hae. erinacei. Wolbachia spp. DNA was detected in fleas. The DNA of potential new Bartonella and Ehrlichia species were found respectively in fleas and ticks. This study highlights the presence of DNA from a broad range of microorganisms in hedgehogs and their ectoparasites that may be responsible for zoonoses in Algeria.
... For example, hedgehogs thrive in urban, rural, and natural settings, therefore sharing the same environments with domestic animals as well as humans (Skuballa et al., 2007). Among infectious agents, vector-borne pathogens associated with hedgehogs are of major importance, since they are transmitted by ticks, fleas, and mites blood feeding on these animal species as well as on many other mammalian hosts, including humans (Goz et al., 2016). ...
... Hedgehogs captured in Iran were rarely infested by Ar. erinacei fleas whereas those from Italy presented a high flea infestation rate. This flea species is commonly found infesting hedgehogs (Goz et al., 2016;Zurita et al., 2018), and has been associated with zoonotic pathogens such as Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella henselae (Hornok et al., 2014). ...
Hedgehogs are synanthropic mammals, reservoirs of several vector-borne pathogens and hosts of ectoparasites. Arthropod-borne pathogens (i.e., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., and Anaplasmataceae) were molecularly investigated in ectoparasites collected on hedgehogs (n = 213) from Iran (161 Hemiechinus auritus, 5 Erinaceus concolor) and Italy (47 Erinaceus europaeus). In Iran, most animals examined (n = 153; 92.2%) were infested by ticks (Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma dromedarii), and 7 (4.2%) by fleas (Archeopsylla erinacei, Ctenocephalides felis). Of the hedgehogs infested by arthropods in Italy (i.e., 44.7%), 18 (38.3%) were infested by fleas (Ar. erinacei), 7 (14.9%) by ticks (Haemaphysalis erinacei, Rh. turanicus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato), and 6 (12.8%) by mites (Caparinia tripilis, Acarus nidicolous, Ornithonyssus spp.). Phoretic behavior of C. tripilis on Ar. erinacei was detected in two flea specimens from Italy. At the molecular analysis Rickettsia spp. was detected in 93.3% of the fleas of Italy. In Iran, Rickettsia spp. was detected in 8.0% out of 212 Rh. turanicus ticks, and in 85.7% of the Ar. erinacei fleas examined. The 16 S rRNA gene for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. was amplified in 4.2% of the 212 Rh. turanicus ticks. All sequences of Rickettsia spp. from fleas presented 100% nucleotide identity with Rickettsia asembonensis, whereas Rickettsia spp. from Rh. turanicus presented 99.84%–100% nucleotide identity with Rickettsia slovaca, except for one sequence, identical to Rickettsia massiliae. The sequences of the 16 S rRNA gene revealed 99.57%–100% nucleotide identity with Anaplasma spp., except for one, identical to Ehrlichia spp. A new phoretic association between C. tripilis mites and Ar. erinacei fleas has been herein reported, which could be an important route for the spreading of this mite through hedgehog populations. Additionally, spotted fever group rickettsiae were herein detected in ticks and fleas, and Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. in ticks, suggesting that hedgehogs play a role as reservoirs for these vector-borne pathogens.
... Two subspecies have been described: Archaeopsylla erinacei erinacei and Archaeopsylla erinacei maura. Archaeopsylla erinacei is able to infest other hedgehog species, such as northern (Bitam et al. 2006, Földvári et al. 2011, Khaldi et al. 2012, Goz et al. 2016, Dudek et al. 2017 Pomykal 1985, Beck et al. 2006, Bond et al. 2007. A prior study showed that A. erinacei was the most common and abundant flea found on foxes (V. ...
Fleas are ectoparasites of various animals, including Homo sapiens Linnaeus, 1758 (Primates: Hominidae). Among the species relevant to the human health field, either due to their dermatopathological potential or because of their role as vectors of microorganisms responsible for infectious diseases, such as plague or murine typhus, are the human flea, oriental rat flea, closely related cat and dog fleas, and chigoe flea. However, other species can accidentally infest humans. We have herein reported two unusual cases of humans infested and bitten by Archaeopsylla erinacei, the hedgehog flea. This species has been identified using stereomicroscopy, on the base of key characteristics. Furthermore, a brief literature review has revealed that hedgehog fleas could carry human-infectious agents, such as Rickettsia felis Bouyer et al. 2001 (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) or Bartonella henselae Regnery et al.1992 (Rhizobiales: Bartonellaceae). Using molecular biology, we thus tested nine A. erinacei specimens taken from these patients, for several bacteria species commonly associated with hematophagous arthropods, implicated in human pathology. However, all our samples were proven negative. The role of A. erinacei in human epidemiology has never been evaluated to date. This report sought to remind us that these fleas can be accidental parasites in humans. In addition, recent findings pertaining to bacteria of medical interest that are present in these insects should be brought to the fore, given that the question of their role as vectors in human infections remains unanswered and deserves further investigation.
... However, there has been reports on the diseases afflicting hedgehogs and the zoonotic or potentially zoonotic agents carried by them (Riley and Chomel, 2005), and their implication in the epizootiology of parasites of ruminants (Kaikabo et al., 2006). Hedgehogs have been reported to be infected with different ectoparasites as well as endoparasites (Beck, 2007;Youssefi et al., 2011;Goz et al., 2016). Ticks are blood sucking arthropods, which are ecto-parasites of domestic and wild animals. ...
... Hedgehogs are infested with several species of ticks (Pfaffle, 2011). One of the species that infest (Youssefi et al., 2011;Goz et al., 2016). It is wide-spread from Africa to Asia and Europe. ...
Studies on the incidence of parasites of the African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) and its associated
packed cell volume (PCV) changes were conducted in Maiduguri, North-eastern Nigeria. A total of
fifteen (15) Hedgehogs comprising of 7 males and 8 females were examined for ecto and endo-parasites
and their PCV evaluated for any association with infection. An incidence of 4(26.7%) was obtained for
endoparasites mainly of Capillaria ova, with 3(37.5%) for female and 1(14.3%) for male (p<0.05). Ticks
were the only ectoparasites obtained with an incidence of 6(40.0%) comprising of male hedgehogs with
2(28.6%) and females with 4(50.0%) (p<0.05). Rhipicephalus species was the only tick identified. The
mean ± SD PCV of hedgehogs indicated that of males as 31.36 ± 1.38 and females as 30.88 ± 3.09,
however no significant difference (p>0.05) was obtained but both values were lower than the normal
reference values.
... Some viral, bacterial and protozoal agents as well as helminthes resulting in leishmaniasis, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), plague, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, rat-bite fever, Omsk hemorrhagic fever, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, murine typhus, theileriosis and babesiosis can be transmitted by rodents to other animals orhumans when they are in close contact (Williams et al. 1997, Tsuji et al. 2001, Motevalli-Hagghi et al. 2002, Telmadarraiy et al. 2007, Kia et al. 2009, Tajedin et al. 2009, Eisen and Gage 2012, Nateghpour et al. 2013. Fleas (Siphonaptera) and Ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are the major vectors of important pathogens threatening human and animals (Goz et al. 2016). ...
... The difference between this study with our investigation may be due to the host and climate. The importance of ectoparasites has encouraged investigators to study on other animals like hedgehogs (Goz et al. 2016). In a most recent investigation carried out on 21 hedgehogs ectoparasites in east part of Turkey (northwest of Iran), R. turanicus and A. erinacei were detected, also, infestation rate for ticks and fleas was detected as 66.6% and 100%, respectively (Goz et al. 2016). ...
... The importance of ectoparasites has encouraged investigators to study on other animals like hedgehogs (Goz et al. 2016). In a most recent investigation carried out on 21 hedgehogs ectoparasites in east part of Turkey (northwest of Iran), R. turanicus and A. erinacei were detected, also, infestation rate for ticks and fleas was detected as 66.6% and 100%, respectively (Goz et al. 2016). We could not collect these ectoparasites on the caught rodents. ...
Background
Rodents play an important role as reservoir of some pathogens, and the host of some ectoparasites as well. These ectoparasites can transmit rodents’ pathogens to human or animals. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution and infestation load of ectoparasites on rodents in Meshkin-Shahr District, northwestern Iran.
Methods
Rodents were captured using baited live traps in spring 2014 from Meshkin-Shahr District and were transferred to the laboratory for identification to the species level. Their ectoparasites were collected, mounted and identified.
Results
Three rodent species including Meriones persicus (74%), Mus musculus (16.9%) and Cricetulus migratorius (9%) were identified. Among all rodents, 185 specimens (90.69%) were infested with a total of 521 ectoparasites. Overall, 10 arthropods species were collected, including fleas (97.6%), one mite (1.6%) and one louse species (0.6%) as follows: Xenopsylla nubica, X. astia, X. buxtoni, X. cheopis, Nosopsyllus fasciatus, N. iranus, Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenophthalmus rettigismiti, Ornithonyssus sp and one species of genus Polyplax. The most prevalent ectoparasites species was X. nubica (89%).
Conclusion
Nearly all rodent species were infested with Xenopsylla species. Monitoring of ectoparasites on infested rodents is very important for awareness and early warning towards control of arthropod-borne diseases.
