Molecular Identification of the Fleas Ctenocephalides felis and Tapeworm Dipilydium caninum Isolated from Fleas in Companion Dogs and Cats around Hanoi, Vietnam

This study aims to molecularly identify Ctenocephalides species and detect Dipylidium caninum from fleas parasitizing dogs and cats in Vietnam.The study samples comprise twenty pooled flea samples collected from dogs and cats.Methodologically, DNA extracted from fleas was utilized for PCR amplification of a 1200bp region of the flea 18S rDNA gene and a 653bp fragment of D. caninum 28S rDNA gene.Subsequently, two flea-positive PCR products and two D. caninum-positive PCR products (one each from dog and cat) were selected for phylogenetic tree analysis.The results indicated that all 20 samples were positive in the first PCR, exhibiting a 1200bp band, which corresponds to the estimated size of the flea 18S rDNA gene.Furthermore, 4 of 20 samples in the second PCR displayed a band of approximately 653bp, which is consistent with the expected size of the D. caninum 28S rDNA gene.Phylogenetic analysis further revealed that the isolated fleas to be Ctenocephalides felis.The percentage identity between the two D. caninum isolates in this study was 94.1%, indicating that these two isolates belong to two distinct genotypes (D. caninum feline and canine genotype).This study represents the first report of D. caninum tapeworm detection from dog and cat fleas in Vietnam.Additionally, this research provides a cautionary note to dog and cat owners regarding the importance of flea elimination from their companion animals to prevent Dipylidium infection.