Which parasite is transmitted by fleas?

Which parasite is transmitted by fleas?

• A. Fasciola hepatica
• B. Dipylidium caninum
• C. Otodectes cynotis
• D. Dirofilaria immitis

Answer: (B)

This question hinges on a parasite’s transmission route involving an intermediate host. Dipylidium caninum is a tapeworm of dogs and cats that relies on fleas to transfer to the definitive host. The life cycle involves the animal swallowing an infected flea during grooming; inside the flea, the parasite develops a cysticercoid stage. When the pet swallows the flea, the cysticercoid is released and matures into an adult tapeworm in the intestine. That makes fleas the key step in the transmission. The other parasites have different routes: Fasciola hepatica uses aquatic snails as an intermediate host and is acquired through ingestion of metacercariae on vegetation or contaminated water; Otodectes cynotis is an ear mite transmitted mainly by direct contact; Dirofilaria immitis is transmitted by mosquitoes.

This question hinges on a parasite’s transmission route involving an intermediate host. Dipylidium caninum is a tapeworm of dogs and cats that relies on fleas to transfer to the definitive host. The life cycle involves the animal swallowing an infected flea during grooming; inside the flea, the parasite develops a cysticercoid stage. When the pet swallows the flea, the cysticercoid is released and matures into an adult tapeworm in the intestine. That makes fleas the key step in the transmission.

The other parasites have different routes: Fasciola hepatica uses aquatic snails as an intermediate host and is acquired through ingestion of metacercariae on vegetation or contaminated water; Otodectes cynotis is an ear mite transmitted mainly by direct contact; Dirofilaria immitis is transmitted by mosquitoes.