ABSTRACT
The ectoparasite Polyplax spinulosa [Class: Insecta; Sub-Order: Anoplura; Familiy: Polyplacidae] was found to act as a biological vector of some pathogenic virus, bacteria and protozoa. The main objective of the present study was to identify the P. spinulosa parasitizing laboratory rats in two different animal houses [Science College-Salahaddin University and Medicine College-Hawler Medical University] and the effect of washing with different detergent agents on the mean intensity and numbers of the Polyplax spinulosa. In a study from the beginning of February to July 2010, thirty [30] adult Albino rats [15 rats from each Science and Medicine Colleges] randomly were collected from two selected animal houses of two universities in Erbil City. The fur was gently examined and scraped off using a fine brush; hair particles and ectoparasites that dropped off were transferred to a petridish, and examined using magnifying lenses and dissecting microscope before and after washing with two different agents. The ectoparasites collected in small vials were fixed in 70% ethanol. The overall prevalence with the P. spinulosa was 80%, the higher rate of infestation [100%] and mean intensity [13.33] was among rats of Science College, while the lower rate [60%] and mean intensity [4] was among rats of Medicine College. The present study showed that Cis-Cypermethrin has greater role than Cyprimidine in declining the rate of infestation with this ectoparasite. The overall prevalence with the P. Spinulosa was 80%, The higher rate of infestation was among rats of Science College. Cis-Cypermethrin has a role in declining the rate of infestation with this ectoparasite