Tularemia: Attempted Transmission by Each of Two Species of Fleas: Xenopsylla cheopis (Roths.) and Diamanus montanus (Baker)

Abstract

Fleas of 2 spp. (Xenopsylla cheopis and Diamanus montanus) were fed on white mice which had a high degree of bacteremia of Pasteurella tularensis. 68-90% of the X. cheopis and 80-95% of the D. montanus became infected. Infection was determined by inoculation of the droppings into mice. After infection of the fleas was proven, the individual fleas were fed on normal white mice repeatedly during a period of 29-36 days, and did not transmit the infection. A lot of 25 similarly infected fleas was placed on normal guinea pigs and allowed to remain for 32 days. Though exposed to the bites and infectious droppings of the fleas, the animals did not contract the disease.