Molecular survey of Babesia microti, a causative agent of human babesiosis, in rodents in Egypt

In Egypt, to date and to the best of our knowledge, two cases of human babesiosis have been reported; at the same time, very few surveys for detection of B. microti in rodents have been published. These studies were solely relied on microscopic examination of stained blood smears; hence, the molecular confirmative evidence for the presence of B. microti is not revealed. In addition, the epidemiology of human babesiosis, such as competent vectors and reservoirs is still unclear. The present study is a molecular survey of B. microti in wild Egyptian rodents. A total of 30 rodents [26 Rattus norvegicus and 4 Rattus rattus] were collected from different areas in Giza Governorate and tested for Babesia-specific DNA. Nested PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene marker was used to detect the agent in rodents blood. Positive amplification of 154-bp fragment was detected in 8 [30.8%] R. norvegicus and 1 [25%] R. rattus with a total prevalence rate of 30%. Unidentified Babesia was detected in 3 rodents [2 R. norvegicus and 1 R. rattus] when tested using standard PCR with genus-specific primers. These 3 rodents yielded negative for B. microti. Significant correlation [P<0.05] between positivity to B. microti and splenomegaly was found. The difference between the positive rates for B. microti in R. norvegicus and in R. rattus was also revealed to be significant [P<0.05]. This study is considered to be the first molecular survey of B. microti in Egyptian rodents. These findings confirm the presence of one of the causative agents of human babesiosis in the country with a relative high prevalence among the suspected reservoir host that warrants more risk for human infections

A Survey of Ectoparasite Infestations in Stray Dogs of Gwang-ju City, Republic of Korea

This study was designed to investigate the incidence of ectoparasite infestation among stray dogs in Gwang-ju City, Republic of Korea. A total of 103 stray dogs collected in the Animal Shelter of Gwang-ju City from November 2003 to August 2005 were investigated in this study. Ectoparasites of one or more genera were detected in 45.6% (47 / 103) of the dogs examined for dermatologic lesions and/or skin scrapings (from 3-5 affected areas). Otodectes cynotis was found to be the most frequent parasite (22.3%, 23 / 103), followed by Sarcoptes scabiei var canis (19.4%, 20 / 103), Ctenocephalides canis (6.8%, 7 / 103), Demodex canis (4.9%, 5 / 103), and Trichodectes canis (1.0%, 1 / 103). Monospecific infestation was found in 83.0% (39 / 47) of the affected dogs, whereas concurrent infestations with 2 or more ectoparasites per animal were found in 17.0% (8 / 47) of the affected dogs. Trichodectes canis is reported for the first time in the Republic of Korea. Dogs less than 1 yr old were more heavily infected than other age groups (66.7%), and small-sized dogs of less than 3 kg body weight were more heavily infected than larger dogs (41.7%).

A Survey of Ectoparasite Infestations in Stray Dogs of Gwang-ju City, Republic of Korea

This study was designed to investigate the incidence of ectoparasite infestation among stray dogs in Gwang-ju City, Republic of Korea. A total of 103 stray dogs collected in the Animal Shelter of Gwang-ju City from November 2003 to August 2005 were investigated in this study. Ectoparasites of one or more genera were detected in 45.6% (47 / 103) of the dogs examined for dermatologic lesions and/or skin scrapings (from 3-5 affected areas). Otodectes cynotis was found to be the most frequent parasite (22.3%, 23 / 103), followed by Sarcoptes scabiei var canis (19.4%, 20 / 103), Ctenocephalides canis (6.8%, 7 / 103), Demodex canis (4.9%, 5 / 103), and Trichodectes canis (1.0%, 1 / 103). Monospecific infestation was found in 83.0% (39 / 47) of the affected dogs, whereas concurrent infestations with 2 or more ectoparasites per animal were found in 17.0% (8 / 47) of the affected dogs. Trichodectes canis is reported for the first time in the Republic of Korea. Dogs less than 1 yr old were more heavily infected than other age groups (66.7%), and small-sized dogs of less than 3 kg body weight were more heavily infected than larger dogs (41.7%).

Toxicity assays applied to wastewater of 10[th] of Ramadan industrial city, Egypt

The toxic impact of wastewater of 10[th] of Ramadan industrial city [Egypt] on the receiving water body was investigated. Both algal and fish bioassay procedures were applied to the raw and treated wastewaters. In case of raw wastewater the EC50 [96 hours] for the green algae [Scenedesmus obliquus], the diatoms [Nitzschia linearis] and blue green algae [Oscillatoria limnetica] amounted to 29%, 36% and 41%, respectively. In case of Tilapia fish [Oreochromis niloticus]; the LC50 [96 hours] amounted to 13.9%. Treated wastewater did not show toxic effects on algal cultures or Nile Tilapia fish. Exposure of the fish to the raw wastewater induced an increase in the serum content of glucose, AST, ALT activities, creatinine and uric acid compared to the control