Studies on hydatid cysts of sheep slaughtered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Hydatid cysts is the infection of man and herbivorous animals by the larval cestode of the genus Echinococcus. Examination of randomly selected one hundred slaughtered sheep in Riyadh abattoir showed cysts in 27 of them [27%]. The highly infected organ was the liver, followed by the lung. Microscopical examination of randomly selected fifty cysts showed that 72% were fertile, 18% sterile and 10% calcified. No doubt, hydatidosis is a worldwide problem. Prevention of human and animal infection depends on eradication of infection in the definitive host, dogs

Trypanosoma vespertilionis [Battaglia, 1904] from the insectivorous bat [Pipistrellus kuhli] collected from Riyadh district, Saudi Arabia

Bats are the only mammals having the power of flight. Examination of 32 Pipistrellzus kuhli and 18 Rhinopoma hardwickei collected in Riyadh district revealed the presence on T. vespertilionis in eight [25%] P. Kuhli. The controversy of trypanosomes of bats particularly T. vespertililonis and T. cruzi that causes human Chagas' disease was discussed

Studies on the interrelation between rodent and their ectoparasitic acarines in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia

The ectoparasitic acarines of commensal and wild rodents collected from various areas in Riyadh Region were four species of mites [Laelaps nutalli, Ornythonyssus bacoti, Cheyletus eruditus and Articholaelaps glasgowi] and two species of ticks. [Immature stages] Rhipicephalus spp. and Hyalomma spp. In urban areas the highest infestation rate by mites was 49.9% on Rattus rattus followed by 18.5% on rattus norvegicus. The highest rat-mite index was 2,3 on R. rattus followed by 1.3 on R. norvegicus and 0.1 on Mus musculus .In semiarid areas, the highest rat-mite index was 2.1 on Gerbillus spp followed by 1.7 on Meriones spp., 1.6 on Jaculus jaculus and 0.9 on Acomys dimidiatus.The highest infestation rate by mites was on Meriones spp. Followed by Gerbillug spp. And then A. dimidiatus