potential role of Rattus rattus in enzoonotic cycle of Rift Valley Fever in Egypt. 2 - Application of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PcR] in blood samples of Rattus rattus

A reverse transcriptase -polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] was applied to detect Rift Valley Fever Virus [RVF-V] in blood samples of Rattus rattus [R. rattus] collected from 3 different governorates of Egypt, Alexandria, Behira and Minia governorates [one hundred each]. Out of 300 blood samples 29 [9.67%] were positive for RVF-Virus by RT-PCR with higher percent in Behira governorate rural areas [16%], followed by Minia governorate rural areas [13.85%] while the lowest percent was in Alexandria governorate urban areas [0.00%]. The overall percent in rural areas were [13.5%] while it was only [2.0%] in urban areas. Our Study suggests that, this R.rattus play an important role in the maintenance cycle of RVF-V in rural areas of Egypt