02895nas a2200277 4500008004100000022002500041245012100066210006900187260001600256300001400272490000700286520199300293653001802286653002802304653001602332653002202348653003102370653002902401653001802430653001202448100002002460700002202480700002802502700002302530856006402553 2021 eng d a2231-0916, 0972-898800aCross-sectional seasonal prevalence and relative risk of ectoparasitic infestations of rodents in North Sinai, Egypt0 aCrosssectional seasonal prevalence and relative risk of ectopara cNov-27-2021 a2996-30060 v143 a

Background and Aim: Rodents are ubiquitous animals that host ectoparasites and transmit zoonotic diseases. We conducted a cross-sectional study on the seasonal variation, period prevalence (Pp), and relative risk of ectoparasitic infestations in rodents collected in North Sinai, Egypt, from September 2019 to August 2020.

Materials and Methods: We captured 380 rodents during the study period. Rodents were euthanized to perform species identification, and 2930 external parasites were collected and identified using light microscopic examination with systemic keys depending on morphological characters.

Results: Rattus norvegicus (brown rat), Rattus rattus frugivorus (white-bellied rat), Rattus rattus alexandrines (gray-bellied rat), and Mus musculus domesticus (house mouse) were captured at the highest frequencies during summer (n=186), followed by spring (n=84), fall (n=71), and winter (n=39), with a higher proportion of males captured in all seasons. Analysis of the infestation Pp revealed highly significant increases (p<0.01) in ectoparasites during the winter. Temperature, humidity, and dew point were significantly (p<0.01) correlated with the numbers of captured and infested rodents. Parasitological examinations showed the higher risks of flea (Echidnophaga gallinacea, Xenopsylla cheopis, and Leptopsylla segnis) and lice (Hoplopleura hirsuta, Hoplopleura ocanthopus, Hoplopleura oenomydis, and Polyplax spinulosa) infestations during winter and mite (Laelaps nuttalli, Dermanyssus gallinae, Ornithonyssus bacoti, and Myobia musculi) infestations during summer.

Conclusion: We conclude that ectoparasitic infestation prevalence and risk varies with predominating macroclimatic conditions. Strict preventive and biosecurity measures should be applied to combat rodent-related problems.

10aectoparasites10aMus musculus domesticus10aNorth Sinai10aperiod prevalence10aRattus rattus alexandrines10aRattus rattus frugivorus10arelative risk10arodents1 aFarid, Doaa, S.1 aSallam, Nahla, H.1 aEldein, Ahmed, M. Salah1 aSoliman, Essam, S. uhttp://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.14/November-2021/21.html03029nas a2200253 4500008004100000022001300041245008300054210006900137260001200206300001600218490000700234520223000241653001502471653001802486653001202504100002802516700002802544700003002572700003402602700001902636700002902655700002702684856006402711 2019 eng d a0972898800aEctoparasites of brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Grenada, West Indies0 aEctoparasites of brown rats iRattus norvegicusi in Grenada West  c09-2019 a1390 - 13940 v123 a

Background and Aim:

Arthropod ectoparasites (mites, lice, ticks, and fleas) on common house rats or brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are known to transmit zoonotic pathogens and diminish rat health. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published information regarding the prevalence of ectoparasites on R. norvegicus in Grenada. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and types of ectoparasites present on brown rats from Grenada.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred sixty-eight rats were collected live from the parishes of St. George and St. David, Grenada, from May to July 2017. Following euthanasia, external parasites were collected using fine combs, thumb forceps, and paper tape. Tape samples and free specimens were placed in containers with 70% ethanol. External parasites were evaluated using dissection microscopy.

Results:

Over 2000 ectoparasites were collected from 149 of the 168 trapped rats (88.7%). Ectoparasites identified included mesostigmatid mites (found on 84.6% of infested rats), fur mites in the families Atopomelidae and Listrophoridae (67.1%), Polyplax spp. lice (6.7%), fleas (3.4%), an unidentified larval tick (0.7%), and a mite in the family Myobiidae (0.7%). Infestation rates were higher in St. David Parish (86/89; 96.6%) than in St. George Parish (63/79; 79.7%) (p=0.001). When comparing sex and age, males had a marginal increase in infestation rate (83/89; 93.3%) compared to females (66/79; 83.5%) (p=0.054), and adults had an infestation rate of 90.7% (97/107) compared to juvenile rats who had a 66.7% (14/21) infestation rate.

Conclusion:

Brown rats in Grenada are heavily infested with ectoparasites, including known vectors of pathogens. Future studies will examine the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens in these arthropods.

 

10abrown rats10aectoparasites10aGrenada1 aThille, Katelyn, Noelle1 aRametta, Nia, Francesca1 aFitzpatrick, Daniel, Mark1 aSpringer, Camille, Coomansing1 aTiwari, Keshaw1 aPinckney, Rhonda, Denise1 aSharma, Ravindra, Nath uhttp://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.12/September-2019/6.html