Studies on lice infesting goats in North Sinai.

In North Sinai, in a total of 304 goats, 218 (71.7%) were infested with 3 species of lice. These were Bovicola caprae (31.6%), Linognathus africanus (24.01%) and L. stenopsis (10.53%). Infestation with more than one species of lice was also seen. The highly infested season was winter (56.9%) and the least was spring (6.9%). The highly infested body site was hip (17.7%) and the least infested one was britch (6.6%). The economic loss of goats infested with lice was discussed.

Two types of scab mites infesting man and sheep in North Sinai.

Man and sheep were examined for scab mites infestations. Two types of mites were recovered, Sarcoptes scabiei and Psoroptes ovis. In sheep, 197 out of 939 (20.98%) were infested with S. scabiei (4.05%) and P. ovis (16.93%). The highly infested sheep were recorded in El Hassanah (28.22%) and the least infested ones were in Al Arish (15.85%). In man, 69 out of 790 (8.7%) were infested with S. scabiei (8.1%) and P. ovis (0.63%). The highly infested patients were recorded in El Hassanah (16.2%) followed by Rafah (11.7%), Bir Al-Abd (7.8%), and the least infested one was recorded in Al Arish (4.3%). In man, infestation was seen on one site in 15 patients (21.7%), on two sites in 32 patients (46.4%) and on more than two sites in 22 patients (31.9%). The highly infested site was the upper limbs followed by the lower limbs. Infestation on the face and ear, genital organs and abdomen were also encountered. Infestation on two sites was predominant on the upper and lower limbs followed by the lower limbs and genital organ. The results indicate that transmission of both scab mites, S. scabiei and P. ovis from sheep to man do occur. Infestation with scab mites was high in shepherds (79.7%) than in non shepherd patients (20.3%). However, man was more susceptible to S. scabiei than to P. ovis.

Study on the effect of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t. serotype H-14) and its toxins against Cephalopina titillator (Clark), the Egyptian camel myiasis producing dipterous fly.

Bacillus t. israelensis (B.t. serotype H-14) and its toxins have a marked lethal effect on both the eggs and the newly moulted 3rd stage larvae of Cephalopina titillator. The Bacillus was less effective than Bacillus and its toxins on both the eggs and larvae. On the other hand, the larvae were more affected by both Bacillus and Bacillus and its toxins than the eggs. Prolonged exposure time showed more lethal effect.

Laboratory evaluation of the insecticidal activity of camphor on the development of Oestrus ovis larvae.

The essential oil of E. globulus leaves or camphor against the maturation of Oestrus ovis larvae was evaluated at the laboratory conditions. Camphor at concentrations 1:0 and 1.1 showed 100% mortality rate. At concentrations of 1:2-1:6 the mortality rate ranged between 45-98%. On the other hand, 38 or 27.5% of the developed pupae emerged to adults but only 36.8% of them were fertile. Camphor is safely used in Medicine. So, it is recommended in controlling the zoonotic myiasis producer, O. ovis.

Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t. serotype H-14) against Lucilia sericata third stage larvae.

Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (B.t. H-14) was mixed with minced liver in different concentrations and given to newly moulted third stage larvae of Lucilia sericata. The LC50 was 9 ppm (0.76-1.5) and the slope function was 0.59. This bacterium which is safe and friendly proved to be effective against the myiasis producing L. sericata larvae.

Evaluation of the in-vitro pediculicidal action of four known insecticides and three medicinal plant extracts.

Human lice is an increasing community health problem worldwide. This is particularly true among school children who spend most of their daytime in crowded areas. Four commercially known insecticides and three medicinal plant extracts were studied to evaluate their pediculicidal activities in-vitro. The best result with insecticides was achieved with malathion (Lt5o 10.396 and slope function 1.183). The best result with medicinal plant extracts was achieved with neem oil (A. indica) (Lt5o 85.27 and slope function 1.480). Although, neem oil extract was less active than malathion, yet it is more safe for human usage.

Feather and nest mites of two common resident birds in two ecologically different Egyptian governorates.

The study of the role played by birds in the distribution of various bacterial, viral and parasitic infections is increasingly from year to year, taking into consideration the flying ability of birds and their migration for food and vital processes. Two of the common Egyptian resident birds, house sparrow (Passer d. niloticus) and laughing dove (Streptopelia s. aegyptiaca) were chosen to study their mite fauna. The overall mite index was 4.74 on the house sparrow and 7.22 on the laughing dove. As to mites, a total of 31 species belonging to 23 genera, 17 families and 3 suborders were collected. The common mites on both types of birds were 22 species. Three species only on house sparrow, and six species only on laughing dove. The house sparrow served host for 25 mite species and the laughing dove served host for 28 mite species. The infestation rates of mites on house sparrow ranged between 1.11% to 23.33% and 0.21% to 34.54% in Sharkia and Qalyobia governorates respectively. For laughing dove, the mite infestation rates ranged between 0.82% to 50% and 3.45% to 55.17% for both governorates respectively. Some of the collected mites have medical and/or veterinary importance. The whole results were discussed.

The efficacy of the volatile oils of three plants for controlling Lucilia sericata.

Myiasis is one of the most important parasitic diseases, which affects the human welfare. The volatile oils of three plants were tested against adult Lucilia sericata. The LC50 was 80 ppm by Anethum graveolens, 180 ppm by Conyza dioscoridis and 130 ppm by Mentha microphylla. The slope functions were 1.9, 1.79 and 2.2 respectively. The whole results were discussed.

Evaluation of ELISA kit hypodermosis in serodiagnosis of Przhevalskiana silenus in goats and Cephalopenia titillator in camels.

Myiasis is a problem of Medical and Veterinary importance worldwide. It affects human welfare both directly and indirectly. ELISA kit hypodermosis was evaluated in detecting antibodies against two oestrid larvae, Przhevalskiana silenus in goats and Cephalopina titillator in camels. Both animals were parasitologically proved to have oestrid myiasis infestation. Antibodies against P. silenus were detected in 38 out of 40 (95%) infested goats and negative results among the control group. With C. titillator, antibodies were detected in 39 out of 40 (97.5%) infested camels. But one of the control (10%) gave false seropositivity. ELISA kit hypodermosis diagnosed antibodies against P. silenus in goats and C. titillator in camels. Consequently, there are cross reactions between anti-hypoderma antibodies and antibodies against both Przhevalskiana and Cephalopina. ELISA is confirmed to be an easy and economic tool in diagnosing myiasis infestation when direct examination is not a simple mean and/or for epidemiological studies. The whole results were discussed. Focusing on the clinical pictures and pathogenesis of human myiasis was included to clarify the zoonotic importance of myiasis in Egypt.

Mites infesting two migratory birds, Coturnix c. coturnix (quail or Simmaan) and Sturnus v. vulgaris (starling or zarzuur) with reference to avian zoonosis.

Birds are a marvelous group of creatures. Their beautiful coloration, singing, dancing and their attractive ways of life offer great pleasure to birdwatcher. Egypt is one of the most important countries of migratory birds. Not less than 300 species of birds visit Egypt annually from allover the world. The mite fauna of two migratory birds was studied in North Sinai Governorate and Suez Canal Zone. Thirty-one species of mites were recovered from quail and 39 from starling. Both types of birds serve hosts for 26 species of mites. Besides, five species were only recovered from quail and 13 species from starling. These totaled 44 species belonging to 30 families of three suborders (Mesostigmata, Trombidiformes and Sarcoptidiformes). The mite index on quail ranged between 1.0 to 5.0 in North Sinai G. and 1.0 to 17.0 in Suez Canal Z. The mite index on starling ranged between 1.0 to 4.75 in North Sinai G. and 1.0 to 4.5 in Suez Canal Z. Sixteen of the recovered species of mites were not recorded before on the Egyptian resident birds (house sparrow and laughing dove). The medical and veterinary importance of avian zoonosis was discussed. It is hoped to stimulate the awareness to migratory birds as reservoir hosts for microorganisms and parasites from allover the world. Besides, there is an urgent need to protect the resident and the visiting birds.

The goat warble fly, Przhevalskiana silenus (Brauer) in north Sinai, Egypt.

During monthly visits to North Sinai, a total of 43 living goats out of 2040 (2.11%) were found infested with Przhevalskiana silenus (Brauer). This was mainly in Winter. Besides, nodule caused of P. silenus larvae were recovered from 32 out of 98 (32.65%) slaughtered goats in Al Arish abattoir mainly in Summer. The overall infestation rate among slaughtered goats was 11.68 percent. On the other hand, adult flies were collected by baited traps from Bir Al Abd and Al Hasanah in late Spring and early Summer. It is concluded that myiasis is a real economic problem which affects the livestock.

The effect of the volatile oils of Chenopodium ambrosioides and Thymus vulgaris against the larvae of Lucilia sericata (Meigen).

Nowadays, there are many problems with the use of chemical insecticides as resistance, environmental pollution, toxicity to man and animal... etc. All these required the investigation of a new line for controlling arthropod pests of medical and agricultural importance. The volatile oils of Chenopodium ambrosioides (American wormseed) and Thymus vulgaris (Tyme) proved to be effective against the third stage larvae of Lucilia sericata. The LC50 confidence limits were 70 ppm and 130 ppm for both volatile oils respectively. No doubt, the use of these plant volatile oils, which are widely distributed in the Egyptian flora, more cheap, more safe and without any pollution or hazard, is recommended.

Studies on myiasis producing flies collected by bait traps at Al Marg (Qalyobia Governorate), Egypt.

Myiasis is a real welfare problem. As a disease, it affects man and animals. In a study of myiasis producing flies in Al Marg District, sixteen species of dipterous flies were trapped. The predominant species was Musca domestica followed by Lueilia sericata and the least abundance was Wohlfahrtia magnifica. The overall abundance was in Summer followed by Spring and the least was in Winter. The most attractive bait was liver for members of family Calliphoridae and meat for members of family Muscidae and Family Sarcophagidae.

Myiasis caused by Cephalopina titillator (Clark) in slaughtered camels in Al Arish Abattoir, North Sinai governorate, Egypt.

The oestrid fly or the camel nasal botfly Cephalopina titillator (Clark) is an insect that causes health hazards in camels. No doubt, camels are very important livestock particularly in arid and semi-arid lands. In this paper, the monthly and seasonal prevalence of C. titillator larvae in slaughtered camels were studied. The rate of camel infestation was 25%. The highest prevalence month was October and the highest prevalence season was Autumn. The three larval instars were demonstrated in the infested camels. However, the 3rd instars were the predominant stage (60.59%), followed by the 2nd instars (30.58%) and then the 1st instars (8.83%). In general, some myiasis producers are zoonotic parasites. Nevertheless, the control of the adult C. titillator and its larval instars is a must for the sake of the animal and for the human welfare.

The larvicidal activity of solvent extracts of three medicinal plants against third instar larvae of Chrysomyia albiceps.

Four solvent extracts of each of Lemongrass (Symbopogon citratus), Santonica (Artemisia cinae) and Pomegranate (Punica granatum) were tested against the 3rd instar larvae of Chrysomyia albiceps. The pomegranate extracts showed the larvicidal activity with LC50 ranging between 25 ppm (acetone extract) and 280 ppm (chloroform extract). The Santonica showed larvicidal activity with LC50 ranging between 48 ppm (ethanol extract) and 380 ppm (acetone extract). The Lemongrass showed activity with LC50 ranging between 135 ppm (ethanol extract) and 570 ppm (chloroform extract). So, the most effective action in accordance to LC50 were the acetone extract of pomegranate, followed by ethanol extract of Santonica and lastly ethanol extract of Lemongrass. The slope functions of these three extracts were 4.6, 2.8 and 8.22 respectively. The shift to insect control by plant extracts pave the way to a somewhat healthy environment.

Studies of wound myiasis among sheep and goats in North Sinai Governorate, Egypt.

Myiasis of man and animals is a real welfare problem of world wide distribution particularly in animal raising countries. Studies of myiasis of sheep and goats in North Sinai resulted in the identification of 21 species of myiasis producing flies. The predominant species was Musca domestica followed by Lucilia sericata and the least abundant was M. albina. In general, sheep were more infested with wound myiasis than goats. The overall infestation rate was high in summer, followed by spring then autumn. The least rate of infestation was winter. As to the different areas examined, the high rate of infestation was in Bir Al-Abd, followed by Al Hasanah, Al Arish, Al Sheikh-Zowaid and lastly Rafah. The factors predisposing to wound myiasis in a descending order of importance in goats were open wound, shearing wound, caseous lymphadenitis, foot rot, faecal staining, ophthalmo or facial eczema, horn fracture, rumen fistula and lastly posterior paralysis. In sheep, the most important cause was caseous lymphadenitis followed by foot rot, then open wound and faecal staining, shearing wound, and ophthalmo or facial eczema otherwise more or less the same as in goats. It is concluded that myiasis among edible animals is a problem of veterinary and economic importance. The clinical features range between mild annoyance to severely disfiguring or fatal. No doubt, poor hygiene, presence of draining wounds, depressed level of farmers' consciousness and immobility presidose to different anatomic types of myiasis which may extend to man.

Oestrid head maggots in slaughtered sheep in Cairo abattoir.

Oestrosis or infestation of sheep, goats, ibex, argali and sometimes man with Oestrus ovis maggots is a real problem in sheep-farming areas allover the world. Parasitism in sheep may be benign, the majority of cases do not terminate fatally, but death may come within a week after appearance of aggravated symptoms. In man, ophthalmomyiasis (sometimes nasopharyngeal) may be benign to destruction of the eye ball or the entire eye in misdiagnosis. In the present study, examination of 1200 slaughtered sheep heads at Cairo abattoir, showed 104 (8.67%) infested with O. ovis maggots. Sheep were parasitized all the year round with more or less maximum number (12.5%) in September. The sex ratio of parasitized sheep (female to male) was 1:2.71. A total of 556 maggots were recovered allover the year with a peak in March (12.6%). The peak for the first instar larvae recovered was September (17.4%), for the second instar was March (15.7%) and for the third instar was June (11.6%). Older sheep were more infested (12.0%) with oestrosis than smaller ones (6.87%). The whole results were discussed.