Rhipicephalus annulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) Control by Nigella sativa, Thyme and Spinosad Preparations.

BACKGROUND: Several compounds obtained from plants have potential insecticidal, growth deterrent or repellent characteristics. The control of hard ticks by non-chemical substances was targeted in this study. METHODS: The effect of 36 materials on in-vitro ticks was studied, including 2 absolute controls (water only or absolute ethyl alcohol only), 6 conventionally used spinosad preparations (aqueous solutions), 12 Nigella sativa (N. sativa) preparations (aqueous and alcoholic solutions), and 12 Thyme preparations (aqueous and alcoholic solutions). The engorged ticks were tested in-vitro for mortality and oviposition ability using the studied materials. RESULTS: The final mortality after 48 hours of application in N. sativa aqueous preparations began from 10.0% concentration, 1.0% to 100% by concentration preparations ≥10%. In addition, N. sativa alcoholic preparations began from 50.0% concentration, 2 % to 100% by concentration ≥5%. Meanwhile, Thyme aqueous and alcoholic preparations began from 70.0% concentration, 5% to 90% by concentration 10-20%. Additionally, spinosad aqueous preparations and both of control preparations (Water and Alcohol) resulted in no mortality. All differences were statistically significant. The oviposition was stopped in N. sativa (aqueous ≥10% and alcoholic ≥5%) and in spinosad (aqueous≥25%). The aqoues dilution of the used matters killed B. annulatus larvae beginning from the concentration 5%. CONCLUSION: Nigella sativa alcohol 20% was the best of studied preparations being the lowest concentration (20%) that could achieve the highest lethal (100%) effect in shortest time (12 hours). Moreover, Thyme oil and spinosad could not kill 100% of adult but did on larvae.

Molecular characterization of Echinococcus granulosus in Egyptian donkeys.

The present study was carried out during the period from August 2009 to July 2010. The purpose of this study was to identify the genotype of donkeys' echinococcosis in one of the Egyptian governorates. On post-mortem inspection taking place at the zoo of Beni-Suef, Egypt, a total number of 145 donkeys were examined for the presence of hydatid cysts. Ten of these donkeys were found to be infected by hydatid cysts; and location, number and fertility of cysts found were determined. The liver was the predominant site of infection. Molecular identification of these cystic echinococcosis isolates, based on PCR amplification and the sequence of both mitochondrial ND1 and CO1, revealed that they belonged to Echinococcus equinus (G4 genotype). An alignment of ND1 and CO1 partial nucleotide sequences with G4 partial nucleotide sequences revealed replacement of G at position 105 with A and replacement of A at position 276 with G respectively. It can be concluded that the donkeys involved in this study were harboring E. equinus. For the first time in Egypt, the present work allowed us to record the presence of the E. equinus with the molecular tools, and to report new information on the epidemiological status of this parasite in Egypt.

Attenuation Effect of UV on Haemonchus contortus Larvae in Experimentally Infected Goats.

BACKGROUND: Haemonchus contortus causes severe economic losses in small ruminants, so this study was conducted to study the UV effect on H. contortus larvae and its protective effect. METHODS: Sixteen male goats were divided into 5 groups, control infected, control uninfected and UV 30 minutes exposure; UV 60 minutes exposure and UV booster 60 minutes exposure. The UV groups were exposed to UV irradiation at wave length 254 nm for 30 and 60 minutes. The UV booster 60 min was administrated 2 doses of exposed larvae with an interval of one month. All groups except the control negative one were challenged for 42 days from the beginning. RESULTS: In UV booster 60 min had reduction in egg count per gram feces and worm burden (93% & 34 % respectively). The establishment rate and relative fertility declined in comparison with other groups. These parameters were similar in control infected, UV 30 min and UV 60 min groups. PCV value of UV booster 60 min group was similar to uninfected group. After two weeks from the booster dose of irradiated larvae, increased levels of antibody were found in goats of UV booster 60 min group. CONCLUSION: Two doses of UV 60 min exposure, with an interval of one month, gave reduction not only in egg per gram feces but in worm burden as well.