This is a descriptive cross-sectional study performed in Ayabaca Province (an endemic area for plague), Piura Department, Peru; aiming to expand knowledge with respect to flea species prevalent in the area. 10 152-flea specimens were collected in 46 sited from six districts in Ayabaca Province (Suyo, Sapillica, Montero, Paimas, Lagunas, and Ayabaca), between January to July 1999. Sampling was performed selecting at least five pieces of clothing and five guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), additionally to all rodents captured in the houses and in the surrounding wild areas. Eight flea species were identified (Pulex irritans, Tiamastus cavicola, Polygenis litargus, Xenopsylla cheopis, Ctenocephalides felis felis, Craneopsylla minerva minerva, Leptopsylla segnis, and Cediopsylla spilmanni). Of these species, P. irritans was reported in all sampled districts, followed by X. cheopis and P. litargus, which were found in five out of six districts.
Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en la provincia de Ayabaca (zona endémica de peste bubónica), departamento de Piura, Perú; con el objetivo de ampliar los conocimientos sobre las especies de pulgas presentes. Fueron colectados 10 152 especimenes de pulgas en 46 localidades pertenecientes a seis distritos de la provincia de Ayabaca (Suyo, Sapillica, Montero, Paimas, Lagunas y Ayabaca), entre los meses de enero a julio de 1999. El muestreo se realizó seleccionando para cada vivienda un mínimo de cinco ropas de cama y cinco cuyes (Cavia porcellus) además de la totalidad de los roedores capturados en las viviendas y en el área silvestre. Ocho especies de pulgas fueron identificadas (Pulex irritans, Tiamastus cavicola, Polygenis litargus, Xenopsylla cheopis, Ctenocephalides felis, Craneopsylla minerva, Leptopsylla segnis y Cediopsylla spillmanni) de éstas, P. irritans se reportó en todos los distritos muestreados, seguida de X. cheopis y P. litargus, encontradas en cinco de los seis distritos.