Comparative Analysis of Ecological and Faunistic Features of Fleas in the Absheron and Kobystan Meso-Foci of Plague

The aim of this study was to determine the comparative aspect of the diversity of flea species, their distribution and abundance based on the results of epizootiological survey conducted in the Absheron and Kobystan meso-foci of plague.

Materials and methods. The study material was flea samples obtained during epizootiological observation and examinations carried out by employees of the epidemiological group of the Centre for Control of Particularly Dangerous Infections in the spring (May-June) and autumn (September-October) seasons of 2020–2024 from the mesofoci of plague located on the territory of the Absheron Peninsula – Kobystan and Absheron ones, with a total area of 6,700 hectares and 11,300 hectares, respectively. The ecological and faunistic characterization of fleas was performed on the basis of a study of a data set reflecting their biological, ecological and taxonomic features. The flea abundance index in the studied areas was calculated. The testing of ectoparasite samples for the presence of Yersinia pestis was carried out using bacteriological and molecular-genetic (PCR) methods. A total of 3,797 samples from 21,421 rodent nests were examined.

Results and discussion. It has been established that the Kobystan and Absheron meso-foci of plague differ slightly from each other in flea fauna. Fleas of the genus Xenopsylla conformis are the dominant species in both studied foci, with variations in numbers by season and territory. Reliable differences were found for most species in terms of seasonal dynamics. Statistically significant most pronounced fluctuations were found for X. conformis (χ²=916.2, p<0.0001) and Mesopsylla apscheronica (χ²=207.4, p><0.0001). Annual and seasonal peaks of the index were identified, indicating periods of increased risk of transmission of plague pathogen. The established reliable differences in flea species confirm the need to take into account local and seasonal factors when planning preventive and sanitary measures in the studied meso-foci. Key words: plague, Absheron meso-focus, Kobystan meso-focus, abundance index, ecological and faunistic features> < 0.0001) and Mesopsylla apscheronica (χ²=207.4, p < 0.0001). Annual and seasonal peaks of the index were identified, indicating periods of increased risk of transmission of plague pathogen. The established reliable differences in flea species confirm the need to take into account local and seasonal factors when planning preventive and sanitary measures in the studied meso-foci.

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