Endemic (murine) typhus, caused by Rickettsia typhi, is transmitted to humans by:
- A The trombiculid mite Leptotrombidium
- B The human body louse Pediculus humanus corporis
- C The rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis ✓
- D The soft tick Ornithodoros
Correct answer: C. The rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis
Explanation
Murine typhus cycles between rats and the rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis; humans are infected when infected flea faeces are rubbed into skin disrupted by scratching. The body louse transmits epidemic typhus caused by R. prowazekii, trombiculid mites transmit Orientia tsutsugamushi, and soft ticks transmit relapsing fever Borrelia. Flea-borne transmission also explains why murine typhus clusters near rodent-rich coastal and urban environments.
Reference: Ananthanarayan and Paniker's Textbook of Microbiology, 11th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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