Investigation of blood parasites in livestock infested with argasid and ixodid ticks in Egypt.

Nineteen species and subspecies of ixodid and argasid ticks, Hyalomma dromedarii, H. impeltatum, H. anatolicum excavatum, H. a. anatolicum, H. truncatum, H. m. marginatum, H. m. rufipes, H. m. turanicum, Boophilus annulatus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. turanicus, R. guilhoni, R. camicasi, Amblyomma lipidum, A. marmoreum, A. vareigatum, Argas persicus, A. hermanii and A. arboreus were collected from different localities in five governorates, Giza, Sharkia, Ismailia, El Beheira and Sinai. Hyalomma species were found on camels (98.6%) and cows (1.4%). B. annulatus was found only on cows (100%), Rhipicephalus species on dogs (89.8%), camels (8.2%) and sheep (2.0%), Amblyomma species were found on imported camels (100%), and Argas species on chickens (70.6%), herons (18.8%) and pigeons (10.6%). Examination of camels, cows, sheep, and chickens infested with ticks showed Theileria annulata (rod and ovoid), Babesia bigemmina (ring), B. ovis (ovoid), and Babesiosoma gallinarum (dot-like), respectively. Haemoproteus columbae were found in pigeons. These parasites were determined by microscope imaged.

Bionomics of ticks collected from Sinai Peninsula: 2- abundance, attachment sites, and density estimators of ticks infesting Arabian camels.

Ten camels were examined monthly from January to December 1999, in Beer Lehfen North Sinai Gavernorate. A total of 5468 adult ticks of 6 species and subspecies of genus Hyalomma; H. dromedrii, H. ipmeltatum, H. a. excavatum, H. a. anatolicum, H. schulzei, and H. marginatum rufipes, in addition to 115 Hyalomma nymphs' species were collected. Of these, the first 4 types represented about 96.2% of the total collection. The infestation rate was higher during the period from March to November. The average monthly infestation rate was 22.78+/-3. The large number of the adult ticks were concentrated on tail, brisket, anus, and udder which totaled 68.2%. Attachment sites of males and females were not significantly correlated in most species. Nymphs were localized in few sites, whereas 91.6% of the total nymphs were attached to hump, neck, head (ear), and side. H. dromedarii, H. impeltatum, and H. a. excavatum were found on most of the body sites, tail, brisket, udder, and anus, totaling 79.9%. Males exceeded females in all sites, and were alone on neck and legs. Females were the only stage collected from udder. Both sex of H. a. anatolicum were collected from tail. H. schulzei and H. m. rufipes were concentrated in brisket, udder, anus, and tail.

Observations on the structure and histology of the female genital system of the cattle tick Boophilus annulatus (Say).

Female genital system of Boophilus annulatus was examined grossly on the day of drop-off from the host and grossly and microscopically on 4th day. It consists of an ovary, 2 oviducts, a common oviduct, a connecting tube, a seminal receptacle, a vagina divided into cervical and vestibular parts, 2 accessory glands and Gene's organ. The ovary oocytes undergo excessive growth during the 4 days after drop-off from the host. Oocytes accumulate eosinophilic material during growth and undergo histological changes similar to those seen in other ixodid ticks. Further ultrastructural studies are required to understand the vector capacity of this species in transmitting disease agents.

Haemoglobinometry as a method to determine the blood meal size of two argasid tick species.

A standardized clinical method for measuring haemoglobin has been applied to measure the quantity of blood ingested by Argas persicus and A. hermanni feeding on chicken and pigeons respectively. The blood fed ticks were added to a reagent which converts all haemoglobin to haemoglobincyanide (HiCN) which can be read spectrophotometrically. The validity of this method was established by comparing haemoglobin determination with the size of blood meals measured by weight. Linear relationships with high correlation coefficients were obtained for nymphs, males, and females of A. persicus and A. hermanni showing that both gravimetric (weighing) and HiCN methods gave similar estimates of ingested blood.

Outdoor resting and nectar feeding behaviour of some mosquito species in two villages in Egypt.

Mosquito resting on different host plants were collected from two localities in Egypt, Kafr Tohoria village, Qualubiya governorate and El Abtal village, Ismailia governorate. Collected mosquitoes were identified, classified to their feeding stage and tested for carbohydrate feeding. Results indicated that Cx. pipiens represented 96% and above of collected species in the two localities. The available plants and crops showed different attraction levels for resting female mosquitoes. Most of the collected females were empty. Mosquitoes may be attracted to certain plants due to the presence of some phagostimulant chemicals rather than the presence of the sugars.

Protozoal parasites in tick species infesting camels in Sinai Peninsula.

A faunistic survey of ticks infesting camels was carried out in 7 localities of Sinai; El-Arish, Beer El Abd, Nakhel, Ain Mousa, St. Catherine, Wadi Hadra, and Dahab. The protozoal organisms present in the gut and haemolymph of the collected tick species were investigated. Results revealed the presence of six species of tick infesting camels, Hyalomma dromedarii, H. impeltatum, H. an. excavatum, H. an. anatolicum, H. marginatum and H. schulzei. The first 3 species were most common, whereas the latter 3 species were found in certain limited localities. Babesia sp. and Theilera sp. were recorded in both tick guts and haemolymph in most species allover the studied areas. Trypanosoma sp. was recorded in the guts of ticks collected from Beer El Abd, Nakhel and Dahab. Anaplasma sp. was found in tick guts from Beer El Abd and Dahab, however the same organism was detected in the haemolymph of ticks collected in Nakhel and Dahab.

Rodents, their seasonal activity, ecto- and blood-parasites in Saint Catherine area, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt.

Rodents are on the top of animal reservoirs of zoonotic parasites. Five species of wild rodents were trapped on monthly base from Saint Catherine area. The highest trap index was 0.5 in May and the lowest was zero in December, January and February. The dominant rodents were Acomys c. dimidiatus followed by Dipodillus d. dasyurus and then A. r. russatus. Sporadic numbers of Sekeetamys c. calurus (3) and Eliomys. qu. melanurus (2) were collected. The ectoparasites in a descending order of abundance were mites (45.6%), lice (30.3%) and then fleas (24.1%). The most abundant ectoparasites among the three groups were Polyplax spinulosa (lice). Allodermanyssus sanguineus (mites), and Xenopsylla dipodilli (fleas). Leishmania amastigotes and Babesia microti were detected in Acomys. Also, one pregnant female A. c. dimidiatus was infected with a nematode parasite, Syphacia obvelata. The results were discussed on the light of the previous work.

Mites (acari) infesting commensal rats in Suez Canal zone, Egypt.

Mites are arthropods distinguished from ticks by usually being microscopical in size and have a hypostome unarmed with tooth-like anchoring processes. They are group in a number of suborders, each with super-families and families including many genera of medical and economic importance. In this paper, commensal rodents (Rattus norvegicus, R. r. alexandrinus and R. r. frugivorous) were surveyed in the Suez Canal Zone for their acari ectoparasites. Four species of mites were recovered. In a descending order of mite indices, they were Eulaelaps stabularis (4.83 on 6 rats), Laelaps nuttalli (3.11 on 27 rats), Ornithonyssus bacoti (1.66 on 9 rats) and Dermanyssus gallinae (0.66 on 24 rats). The overall mite indices in the three governorates were 3.66 in Suez, 2.82 in Ismailia and zero in Port Said. The medical and economic importance of the mites were discussed.

Morphological description of Androlaelaps lehfeni sp. nov (Laelapinae, Laelapidae) found in North Sinai, Egypt.

Androlaelaps lehfeni sp. nov. collected from Gerbillus pyramidum in Beer Lehfin, N. Sinai, Egypt. The female is described. Apilus dentilis on the fixed digit of chelicera. The tarsus of palp with two tined apotele. Tarsus of leg II with 3 spurs ventralcind stout setae. Genitoventral shield with one pair of ventral setae. The new species is compared with the related species in this genus.

Natural Leishmania infections in two stray dogs and two Gerbillus pyramidum in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt.

In Egypt, zoonotic cutaneaus leishmaniasis (ZCL) and infantile visceral leishmaniasis (I.VL.) have been documented. Recently, in Dakahlia Governorate, three cases of indigenously acquired leishmaniasis (two VL. and one ZCL) have been reported. This paper aimed to search for the animal reservoir (s) of these two types of zoonotic leishmaniasis. Commensal and wild rodents as well as stray dogs were collected from concerned areas. Their role as animal reservoirs were investigated parasitologically (dogs and rodents) and serologically (rodents). Seropositivities as measured by the indirect haemagglutination tests were detected in six Rattus norvegicus (up to 1/256), two Acomys c. cahirinus (up to 1/128) and four Gerbillus pyramidum (up to 1/1024). However, Leishmania parasites were demonstrated as amastigotes (smear) and promastigotes (culture) in only two G. pyramidum. On the other hand, amastigotes of Leishmania parasites were demonstrated in splenic smears of two stray dogs, one from Bilkas Center and one from Dikarnis Center. Cultures of the splenic materials of dogs were not successful. The results indicated high probability for the presence of at least one focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis and one focus of visceral leishmaniasis. It is concluded that visceral leishmaniasis must be in mind when dealing with fever of obscure origin with hypersplenism or other suggestive manifestations.

The helminthic parasites of rodents in Dakahlia Governorate, with reference to their Egyptian helminth fauna.

No doubt, rodents are among the most important reservoirs of zoonotic diseases. This paper aimed to survey the helminth fauna of the different species of rodents in Dakahlia Governorate. Eight species of rodents were encountered in the different centers examined. A total of fifteen species of helminthic parasites were found. They belong to four classes: Trematoda five species: H. heterophyes, H. pumilio, H. yokogawai, S. tridactyla and E. callawayensis, Cestoidea three species: H diminuta, H. nana and T. taeniaeformis, Nematoda six species: A. cantonensis, T. muris, C. hepatica, S. obvelata, S. muris, S. ratti, and Archiacanthocephala one species: M. moniliformis. The medical and/or veterinary importance of these parasites were discussed. It was concluded that rodents are the most serious source of zoonotic parasites.

Laelaps sinai sp. nov. (Laelapinae, Laelapidae), a parasite of Gerbillus pyramium in El Arish, North Sinai, Egypt.

Laelaps sinai sp. nov. collected from gerbils in El Arish, Northern Sinai Peninsula is studied. A detailed description of the female is given. Eight microscopic drawings of gnathosoma and idiostoma are shown. The taxonomic position of the species is discussed.

The fur mite Listrophorus arishi: sp. nov. (Listrophorinae, Listrophoridae) of jerboes in North Sinai, Egypt.

A total of 1119 specimens of Listrophoridus arishi sp. nov. collected from Gerbillus pyramidum were found in Beer Lahfin, North Sinai and described herein. Three microscopic drawings of the ventral and dorsal views of the female and the ventral of male are provided.

Studies on cutaneous leishmaniasis in El Hasana Center, North Sinai, Egypt.

The persistent of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) transmission mainly in Sinai and one or two foci in the Nile Valley and the outbreak of CL. in Nakhel Center form the rationale for including Leishmaniasis as one of the main health problems in Egypt. In this paper, it was aimed to spot-light survey humans for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in El Hasana Center, North Sinai. Also rodents were trapped from several towns and villages within the Center to document the relative importance of the different species of rodents as animal reservoirs at the local or national level. The results showed 18 parasitologically proven human cses of CL. (14 coming from the Nile Valley and 4 Bedouins). Eight species of rodents were trapped, natural infection was only demonstrated in two Meriones crassus in Ain El Gideirat and in one Gerbillus pyramidum in Abu Aweigila. The results were discussed on the light of the previous data obtained.

Rodents and their arthropod ectoparasites in South Sinai Governorate, Egypt.

From the scientific point of research, little attention has been paid to South Sinai Governorate. In this paper, it was aimed to study the rodent population and their arthropod ectoparasites in three selected areas; St. Catherine, Wadi Sahab and Wadi Feran. The highest rodent trap index was in St. Catherine, followed by Wadi Sahab and then Wadi Feran. Mus musculus was predominant mainly indoors in the three areas while Acomys C. dimidiatus was predominant mainly outdoors. Dipodillus dasyurus was found in St. Catherine and Wadi Sahab, Eliomys quercinus in St. Catherine and Wadi Feran and Meriones sacramenti in Wadi Feran. The commonest arthropod ectoparasites in a descending order were Xenopsylla cheopis, X. ramesis, Ctenocephalides canis, Rhipicephalus sp., Hyalomma sp., Ornithonyssus bacoti (on M. musculus), Haemogamasus pontiger, Hirstionyssus isabellinus (on A.c. dimidiatus and Meriones sacramenti). The medical and veterinary importance of the results were discussed.

Susceptibility of three tick Hyalomma spp. from North Sinai Governorate to certain pesticide groups.

Three species of Hyalomma tick, (H. anatolicum, H. dromedarii and H. impeltatum) were collected from camels in North Sinai. The susceptibility of adult females and males of each species to four different groups of insecticides (BHC, Fenitrothion, Permethrin and Baygon) were determined. The results of Lc50 values showed that BHC was the most effective compound against adult males and females of H. impeltatum, whereas the superior efficiency against H. anatolicum and H. dromedarii occurred by Baygon and Permethrin respectively on both males and females. Also the results indicated that the adult males of all tested species of ticks were more susceptible to all the tested insecticides than the adult females.

Leishmania major in Meriones sacramenti Thomas 1922 in Nakhel, North Sinai, Egypt.

Leishmania major is a protozoal parasite of desert and savanna rodents, the vectors being mainly Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus) papatasi and very closely related species. Man in an incidental host, in whom usually it causes zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. In this paper, spot light survey was carried out in Nakhel to identify the role of animal reservoir(s) where a sudden outbreak occurred in Nakhel center. The trapped rodents were M. musculus, Meriones Sacramenti and Gerbillus pyramidum. Three isolates were obtained from the ear and/or spleen of 3 M. sacramenti. Isoenzyme characterization of the isolates using five enzymes showed the isolates to be identical with the L. Major reference strain. The results were discussed on the light of the work previously done in Sinai Peninsula.

Distribution and host-relationship of ticks (Ixodoidea) infesting domestic animals and rodents in Sinai Peninsula.

Geographical distribution of ticks infesting farm animals in Sinai Peninsula revealed the presence of 12 tick species namely Hyalomma dromedarii, H. impeltatum, H. an anatolicum, H. an. excavatum, H. marginatum rufipes, H. m. turanicum, H. schulzei, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. turanicus, Boophilus annulatus, Ornithodors erraticus and Argas persicus. The distribution map of those species is given. The areas of Sinai could be arranged as regards the number of tick species in the following descending order, Beer Lehfin & St. Cathrine (9 spp.), Kosaimah & Nuweibah (8 spp.), Arish & Godirate (7 spp.), Firan (6 spp.) Beer El-Abd, Zowaid, Rafah, Quntara, Wadi Hadra & El Tur (5 spp.), Abu Redis, and Hammam Pharon (4 spp.).

The seasonal abundance of Gerbillus pyramidum and their flea ectoparasites in Al Arish, North Sinai Governorate, Egypt.

The seasonal abundance and the flea ectoparasites of Gerbillus pyramidum were studied. The results showed that the jerboa was more common in Summer (jerboa index 0.43) and least common in Winter (jerboa index 0.35). The overall male to female ratio was 4.2:1. The flea ectoparasites were more common in Autumn (flea index 10.5) and least common in Summer (flea index 6.8). The overall flea index was 8.75 and the majority of fleas (90.9%) was collected on male jerboa. The collected fleas in a descending order of abundance and flea index were: Xenopsylla cheopis (3.1), X. ramesis (2.7), Stenoponia tripectinata (1.4), Nosopsylla sinaiensis (0.9), Hopkinsipsylla occulta (0.6), and Pulex irritans. (0.01).

The role of rodents as reservoirs for some diseases in new reclaimed areas in north Sinai.

In a trial to determine the role of Sinai rodents as reservoirs to rickettsial diseases, the IFA technique was used to detect the presence of R. typhi and spotted fever group in blood of some commensal and wild rodent species collected in Sinai during the last five years (1985-1989). Out of 277 Rattus spp. collected in El Arish (47.3%) were positive to R. typhi and only (5.9%) of 35 Mus musculus were positive to R. typhi. As for Gerbillus spp. only (1.5%) of 206 animals were positive for R. typhi. The positive cases of spotted fever group were (34.6%) in Rattus spp. and (18.8%) in Gerbillus spp.