Abstract  Background: Human infestation to ectoparasites such as ticks, lice, cimex, fleas, mites and others agents may result in intensive allergic reaction with symptoms of itching, skin infection and severe irritation. In this case report, we present a case of dermatitis caused by cat flea. Case presentation: A three-member family referred to dermatology clinic in Babol due to dermal co...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Arthropod-borne pathogens are transmitted into a unique intradermal microenvironment that includes the saliva of their vectors. Immunomodulatory factors in the saliva can enhance infectivity; however, in some cases the immune response that develops to saliva from prior uninfected bites can inhibit infectivity. Most rodent reservoirs of Yersinia pestis experience fleabites regula...

Aim We searched for signs of the ‘bottom-up’ diversity effect in the association between fleas (Siphonaptera) and their small mammalian hosts (Rodentia, Insectivora and Lagomorpha). We asked (1) whether a strong dependence of flea species richness on host species richness is characteristic for both Palaeoarctic and Nearctic realms; (2) if yes, whether the ratio of host species per flea species ...

The strength of interspecific interactions varies over geographical scales, and can influence patterns of resource specialisation. Even with gene flow preventing local adaptation of a consumer to particular resources, we might expect that across its entire range, the consumer would show some specialisation for the resource types most likely to be encountered across the localities where it occur...

background: hymenolepis diminuta is a cestod of rodents and rarely infects humans. infection in humans is via ingestion of infected insects. this study was aimed to detect h. diminuta cysticercoids in red flour beetles, tribolium castaneum, and cockroaches originated from different regions of iran. methods: the red flour beetles and cockroaches were collected from local bakeries in five cities ...

It has been assumed that herbivores constitute a selective agent for the evolution of plant resistance. However, few studies have tested this hypothesis. In this study, we look at the annual weed Datura stramonium for evidence of current natural selection for resistance to herbivorous insects. Paternal half-sib families obtained through controlled crosses were exposed to herbivores under natura...