SURVEILLANCE OF TRYPANOSOMA SPP OF RODENTS AND STUDIES IN THEIR TRANSMISSION PROBABILITY BY FLEAS IN SOME RURAL EGYPTIAN AREAS.

A new public health problem arises from animal trypanosomes that afflict human by a disease called atypical human trypanosomiasis. Although humans have an innate protection against most Trypanosoma species, nineteen cases of atypical human trypanosomiasis caused by the animal trypanosome as T. b. brucei, T. vivax, T. congolense, T. evansi and T. lewisi have been recorded. Some of theserecorded cases were transient, six required trypanocidal treatments however two patients died. Rodent trypanosome, T. lewisi is transmitted via ingestion of fleas or their feces containing the infective stage, the metacyclic trypomastigote. Because of the high densities of various species of rodents and their distribution all over the country especially in rural areas, the present work aimed to evaluate the trypanosomiasis among rodents collected from November to March 2016 and study transmission probability by their fleas in some rural areas in Abu Alnomros Center, Giza. The overall trypanosomiasis prevalence among the different rodent species was (21 rats) 24.7%. All the infected rats belonged to Rattus r. spp where the prevalence of infection with Trypanosoma lewisi among that species was very high 51.2% while none of rats belonged to Rattus norvegicus were infected. That may be attributed to the solid immunity gained by the R. norvegicus where most of the collected norvegicus were aged and weighed more than 200 grams. There was an inverse significant correlation between the densities of parasites and the weights of the losts. The rat which recorded the highest parasite density (60,000 parasites/microliter) was a female Rattus r. captured indoor (inside house). As to sex of Rattus rattus spp no significant difference was found between males and females in trypanosomiasis. Also there was no significant correlation between the densities of parasites and the number of white blood cells among Rattus rattus spp. All positive rats were collected indoors (from houses) and all the rats which were captured from outdoors (farms) were negative for T. lewisi. The difference between infections with trypanosomiasis among rats inhabited the houses and that found in farms was highly significant. Only two species of fleas were found on rats, Xenopsylla cheopis and Leptopsylla segnis. The oriental fleas, X cheopis, were found mainly on R. norvegicus where 57.5% of R. norvegicus were positive for X cheopis while only one rat was positive for L. segnis. On other hand the rat fleas, L. segnis, were found mainly on Rattus rattus spp where 39% of these rats were positive for L. segnis. The present work revealed a significant correlation between the infection with T. lewisi, and the presence of L. segnis on the rats however that correlation regarding X. cheopis was not significant.

The current status of fleas according to environmental changes in some Governorates in Egypt.

A preliminary survey of domestic rodent and their fleas was carried out in different environmental Governorates (Ismailia, Dakahlia, El-Fayoum, North Sinai and Matrouh), Egypt. Flea index (number of flea/rodent) and percentage frequency of different flea species were recorded in spring (2009- 2010). The main rodent species found were the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, the grey-bellied rat, Rattus rattus alexandrinus, the white- bellied rat, Rattus rattus frugivorus, the house mouse, Mus musculus and the spiny mouse Acomys cahirinus. The common flea species attacking rodents were: the oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, the mouse flea, Leptopsylla segnis, the dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis and the sticktight flea Echidnophaga gallinacea. The flea index at Ismailia and Matrouh Governorates showed the highest indices (8.93 & 7.68), while El-Fayoum and North Sinai Governorates showed the lowest ones (1.09 & 1.68). Dakhalia showed moderate flea index (4.52). The highest number of fleas was recorded on R. norvegicus lives in places that are easy to dig barrows, which are suitable medium for fleas breeding. The lowest number was recorded on Mus musculus and Acomys cahirinus. The oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis was the highest frequency distribution for all domestic rodent species, while, the stick-tight flea, Echidnophaga gallinacea was the lowest which recorded at Ismailia and Dakahlia only.

Susceptibility of bromadiolone anticoagulant rodenticide in two rodent species and its haematologic effect.

Susceptibility levels of the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus and the roof rat, Rattus rattus to bromadiolone anticoagulant rodenticide by bioassay and biochemical methods were studied. Animals were trapped from Giza and Qualyobia Governorates in which the anticoagulant rodenticides were used to control rodents for long periods. Complete mortality was obtained for both species and sexes within standard no-choice feeding test period (4 days) indicating bromadiolone susceptibility. Treatment of rats with LD50 showed high prothrombin times which also indicate the susceptibility of the tested animals. In treated rats, bromadiolone caused significant decrease in the total erythrocytic counts and increase in the total leucocytic counts. In survivors, RBCs, WBCs approximately reached the control levels at day 43 post treatment. Also, treatment decreased neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes but increased the lymphocytes in dead and survived animals more than in controls.

Rodent borne diseases and their fleas in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt.

A preliminary survey of domestic rodent borne diseases and their fleas was carried out in ten centers of Menofiya (Quesna, Shebeen El-Kom, Berka El-Saabe, El-Bagour, El-Shohada, Tala, Menoff, Searth El-Lian, Ashmon and El-Sadat) Governorate, Egypt. Rodent index (number of rodent / trap) and percentage frequency of different rodent species were recorded in spring (2009). The main species was Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, the grey-bellied rat, R. rattus alexandrinus, the white- bellied rat, R. rattus frugivorus and the house mouse, Mus musculus. Searth El-Lian center showed the highest existing rodent- index, while Quesna center showed the lowest existing rodent-index. The Norway rat, R. norvegicus showed higher frequency at Shebeen El-Kom, Berka El-Saabe, El-Baguur, Searth El-Lian and El-Sadat. R. rattus alexandrinus showed higher frequency at Tala center, while Rattus rattusfrugivorus showed higher frequency at El-Shohada, Menoff and Ashmon. M. masculus showed the lower frequency at all centers. The common flea species attacking rodents at all centers were: the oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, the mouse flea, Lyptopsylla segnis and the dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis. The flea index (number of flea/rodent) at Searth El-Lian was the highest, while Shebeen El- Kom showed the lowest index. The oriental rat flea, X. cheopis was the highest frequency distribution for all domestic rodent species studied while, the dog flea, C.s canis was the lowest. The adult rodents showed the higher frequency with fleas than juveniles.

Response of predominant rodent borne diseases to difethialone anticoagulant rodenticide under laboratory conditions.

Susceptibility level to difethialone 0.0025% anticoagulant rodenticide by bioassay method were studied (during 2009 & 2010) to the Norway rat Rattus norvegicus and the roof rat Rattus rattus trapped from Giza and Menoufia Governorates (G) where anticoagulant rodenticides were used to control rodents for long periods. Complete mortality was obtained for both species at two Governorates within 3 days no-choice feeding test period, indicated to be susceptible to difethialone. The bait consumption and corresponding active ingredient intake was more in R. rattus than R. norvegicus. The mean intake values for R. rattus were 3.1 & 2.29 mg/kg at Giza G and 2.63 & 2.65 mg/kg at Menoufia G for males and females and for R. norvegicus 1.93 & 2.29 mg/kg at Giza and 2.14 & 2.09 mg/kg at Menoufia for males and females, respectively. Within 2 days no-choice feeding test period, difethialone caused mortality ranged between 70-80% for both species. The higher intake values of active ingredient for died animals was recorded for R. rattus males at Giza G (2.23 mg/kg), while the lower value was recorded for R. norvegicus females of at Menoufia G (1.37 mg/kg). Within one-day no-choice feeding test period, difethialone caused mortality ranged between 60-70% for R. norvegicus and 50-60% to R. rattus. The higher intake values for died animals were recorded for R. rattus males at Giza G (1.45 mg/kg), while the lower value was recorded for R. norvegicus males at Giza (0.75 mg/kg).

Infestation rate of tick, mite and lice among rodent species in Menoufia governorate, Egypt.

A preliminary survey of domestic rodent species and their ectoparasites tick, mite and lice was carried out in ten centers of Menoufia (Quesna, Shebeen El-Kom, Berka El-Saabe, El-Bagour, El-Shohada, Tala, Menoff, Searth El-Lian, Ashmon and El-Sadat) Governorate. Frequency of rodent species and ectoparasites indices (tick, mite and lice) were recorded in spring (2009). The main species of rodent was Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, the grey-bellied rat, Rattus rattus alexandrinus, the white-bellied rat, Rattus rattus frugivorus and the house mouse, Mus musculus. The common tick species attacking rodents were: Rhipicephalus sp. and Hyalomma sp. The common mite species attacking rodents were: Dermanyssus sangineus, Orithonysus bacoti, Haemolaelaps glas-gowi, Laelaps nutalli, Radfordia sp. and Myobia sp. The only common lice species was Polyplax spinulosa. The fur mites Radfordia sp. and Myobia sp. were recorded at Quesna, Searth El-Lian and El-Sadat centers on R. norvegicus for the first time at Menoufia Governorate.

Rodents as reservoir host of intestinal helminthes in different Egyptian agroecosystems.

Hymenolepis diminuta were detected in rodents in all zones surveyed Governorates under studied (Suez, Menoufia, Giza, Damietta and Beni-Sewaf). The highest infestation recorded at Suez and Demiatta Governorates. On the other hand, rodents at Menoufia and Beni-Sewaf showed there is no convincing evidence that they infested with H. diminuta. The existence of one species of nematode namely, Streptopharagus kuntzi were recorded at Suez, Giza and Demiatta Governorates only. While Menoufia and Beni-Sewaf Governorates showed no convincing evidence that, they infested with nematode. Worms were recovered from Norway rats. Data indicated that Rattus norvegicus were the most vulnerable species at infection with H. diminuta and Streptopharagus kuntzi. Summer is highly infested with nematode in comparison with other seasonal study.

Studies on mosquito borne dieases in Egypt and Qatar.

Mosquitoes identification, distribution and densities in representative Egyptian Governorates and five Qatarain Municipalities (Al Rayyan, Doha, Al Daayan, Al Khor & Al Zahakira and Al Shamal) were studied. In Qatar the larvae were Culex pipiens complex, C. univettatus, C. pusillus, Aedes caspies, Anopheles multicolor and A. stephensi. C. pipiens and C. univettatus were mainly in Al Rayyan, Doha, and Al Khor & Al Zahakira. C. pusillus was in Doha and Al Daayan while A. caspies was in Al Daayan and Al Shamal. Anopheles multicolor and A. stephensi were mainly in Al Shamal with low density in Al Rayyan (only in Ain-Khalid locution). The Egyptian mosquitoes were C. pipiens, C. antennatus, C. thelerei, C. univittatus, C. perexiguus, C. poicilipes, C. pusillus, Aedes caspius, Ae. detritus, A. sergentii, A. pharoensis, A. multicolor, A. detali, A. algeriensis, A. tenebrosus, A. gambiae (formerly), A. superpictus, A. tarkhadi, A. hispaniola, A. rhodesiensis, A. stephensi, A. coustani and Culiseta longiareolata. As an example in Sharkia Governorate, larvae were C. pipiens (68.77%), Ae. caspius (15.75%), Culiseta sp. (=Theobaldia) and C. pusillus. In Greater Cairo, parts of Qualyoubia G., C. pipiens was the most dominant and the least was C. perexiguus. In parts of Giza G., C. pipiens was the most dominant and least was Cs. longiareolata. In Cairo G., C. pipiens was the most dominant and least was Ae. caspius. The overall in Greater Cairo was C. pipiens (61.74%), Cs. longiareolata (15.56%), Ae. caspius (15.3%), C. pusillus (4.0%) and C. perexiguus (3.16%).

Ectoparasites of commensal rodents in Talkha Center, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt.

The ecto-parasites infesting commensally rodents were collected from the different localities in Talkha Center (Dakahlia Governorate) from April 2006 to March 2007. The seasonal abundance of rodent number and rat index was 52 (0.58) in spring, 27 (0.3) in summer, 39 (0.22) in autumn and 17 (0.05) in winter. From 135 rodent species and rat index was Rattus norvegicus N=33 (0.24), R. r. frugivorous N=39 (0.29); R. r. alexandrinus N=48 (0.36) and Mus musculus N=15 (0.11). From 388 ecto-parasite infested rodent collected number and ecto index was fleas N= 114 (0.84 flea/rat), Lice N=93 (0.69 lice/rat), Mites N = 165 (1.2 mite/rat) and larva of ticks N=16 (0.12 tick/rat). No doubt, rodents and their ectoparasites played a serious role in spreading and transmission of zoonotic diseases to human and animal.

Effect of warfarin anticoagulant rodenticide on the blood cell counts of Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus.

The effect of the warfarin LD50 on the counts of the blood cells of Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus and roof rat, Rattus rattus from Giza and Qualyobia Governorates was investigated in the laboratory. Warfarin toxication caused significantly different blood cell counts in treated rats compared to control ones. Warfarin significantly decreased the total erythrocytic count and increased the total leucocytic count of treated rats. But, it caused significant de-crease in neutrophrils, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes, but significant increase in lymphocytes. The data also showed that in survived rats, WBC count equaled the normal level or slightly exceeded it at 33/43 days post treatment.

Susceptibility of Culex pipiens complex to some insecticides in Qatar.

Insecticides susceptibility tests were conducted on Culex pipiens larvae from both Doha and Al-Rayan. The insecticides used were chloropyrifos, propetamphos (Organophosphorous), cyphenothrin, cyfluthrin (Synthetic) and etofenprox. Larvae in Al-Rayan district were more susceptible to all insecticides than in Doha. The chlorophyrifos and cyfluthrin were the most effective larvicides, cyphenothrin was moderate and propetamphos and etofanprox were the least ones.