[Fleas (Siphonaptera): a new old infestant in urban environment. Analysis of the cases verified in the South Piedmont in the years 2005-2008].

: In the present study, ten cases of human and environmental infestation, observed between 2005 and 2008 in the Southern part of Piedmont, are reported. The infestation were caused by fleas and in particular by Ctenocephalides felis. The importance of human pulicasis transmitted by animals you have with (cats) and related risks to human health is inderlined. In the past pulicasis, mainly due to Pulex irritans, was related to poor hygienic conditions. On the contrary nowadays, pulicasis in urban habitats seems to be caused, on the basis of the observed cases, by particular fleas species of low host specificity and to linked to the available host species.