Molecular identification and morphological variations of Amblyomma lepidum imported to Egypt, with notes about its potential distribution under climate change.

The tick Amblyomma lepidum is an ectoparasite of veterinary importance due to its role in transmitting livestock diseases in Africa, including heartwater. This study was conducted in 2023 to monitor Amblyomma spp. infestation in dromedary camels imported from Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan to Egypt. This study inspected 200 camels at the Giza governorate's camel market that had been imported from Somalia, 200 from Ethiopia, and 200 from Sudan for tick infestation. Specimens were identified using morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of the 12S and 16S rRNA genes. Clusters were calculated using an unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) dendrogram to group the specimens according to their morphometric characteristics. The morphometric analysis compared the body shape of ticks collected from different countries by analyzing dorsal features. Principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical variate analysis (CVA) were performed to obtain body shape variation among specimens from different countries. Results indicated that camels were infested by 57 males Amblyomma lepidum, and no female specimens were observed; among these specimens, one may have a morphological abnormality. The results suggest that A. lepidum specimens collected from camels imported to Egypt from African countries exhibit locally adapted morphology with variations among specimens, particularly variations in body size. This adaptation suggests minimal potential for genetic divergence. Ecological niche modeling was used to predict the areas in Africa with suitable climates for A. lepidum. The study confirmed that East African countries might have the most favorable climatic conditions for A. lepidum to thrive. Interestingly, the amount of rain during the wettest quarter (Bio16) had the strongest influence on the tick's potential distribution, with suitability decreasing sharply as rainfall increased. Future predictions indicate that the climatic habitat suitability for A. lepidum will decrease under changing climate conditions. However, historical, current, and future predictions indicate no suitable climatic habitats for A. lepidum in Egypt. These findings demand continuous surveillance of A. lepidum in camel populations and the development of targeted strategies to manage tick infestations and prevent the spread of heartwater disease.

Insecticidal efficacy and safety of Phoxim and influence on hematological, biochemical, and antioxidant profiles in German Shepherd dogs.

Background: Dogs' health and welfare enhancement can be achieved using some prophylactics and immunization go with strict hygienic and optimum biosecurity measures. Aim: Exploration of the insecticidal action of Phoxim® for combating Rhipicephalus sanguineus infestation in dogs and its prophylactic influences on the blood indices, biochemistry, antioxidant enzymes, and cortisol hormone in healthy and infested dogs. Methods: Twenty German Shepherd male dogs at 1 year old and 44.0 kg were divided randomly into four groups of five dogs in four separate Kennels with optimum biosecurity measures. The 1st group (G1) was artificially infested with R. sanguineus and treated with Phoxim®, the 2nd (G2) was non-infested and treated with Phoxim®, the 3rd (G3) was infested with R. sanguineus and not treated (positive control), and the 4th (G4) was accounted as negative control (non-infested and non-treated). A total of 160 (80 whole blood and 80 sera) samples were collected. Results: Parasitological examination revealed prominent characteristic features of R. sanguineus such as a distinct anal groove, the basis capitulum is hexagonal and lateral, the palpi are short, the second segment of the palpi as long as wide and not produced laterally, and the spiracular plate is comma-shaped and consists of stigma, peritreme, and tail. The results conveyed highly significant (p < 0.01) enhancement in erythrocytes, leukocytes, hematohiston, hematocrit, hemoglobin centering, granulocytes, alanine aminotransferase, random blood sugars, triglycerides, and total cholesterol, and highly significant (p < 0.01) declines of all measured antioxidant enzymes in treated non-infested dogs. Conclusion: Phoxim® proved efficient insecticidal activity with optimum safety and can be brought into play in the prophylactic biosecurity measures installed to eradicate external parasitism in dogs.

Morphological and molecular studies on tick species in Ismailia Governorate in Egypt and Al Gabal Al Akhdar in Libya.

Background: Ticks are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites of vertebrates that have an impact on both domestic and wild animals, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Aim: The objective of this study is to compare the prevalence and the tick species in both Al Gabal Al Akhder regions in northeastern Libya and Ismailia, Egypt. Methods: Tick specimens collected from predilection sites on the hosts were identified by morphological (light microscopy) and molecular methods. Results: In Ismailia, Egypt, 23.9% of the 230 (examined cattle and buffaloes) were infested with one species of hard ticks, Rhipicephalus annulatus. In the Libyan province of Al Gabal Al Akhdar, the prevalence of tick infestation in cattle, sheep, and goats, was 47% and 59%, respectively. R. annulatus is the identified tick species for cattle, Hyalomma marginatum, and Rhipicephalus bursa, are the identified tick species of the infested sheep and goats. Conclusion: The 16S rDNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of sample species from Egypt and Libya proved instrumental in overcoming the difficulties associated with morphological identification techniques.

Cross-sectional seasonal prevalence and relative risk of ectoparasitic infestations of rodents in North Sinai, Egypt.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Rodents are ubiquitous animals that host ectoparasites and transmit zoonotic diseases. We conducted a cross-sectional study on the seasonal variation, period prevalence (Pp), and relative risk of ectoparasitic infestations in rodents collected in North Sinai, Egypt, from September 2019 to August 2020. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We captured 380 rodents during the study period. Rodents were euthanized to perform species identification, and 2930 external parasites were collected and identified using light microscopic examination with systemic keys depending on morphological characters. RESULTS: Rattus norvegicus (brown rat), Rattus rattus frugivorus (white-bellied rat), Rattus rattus alexandrines (gray-bellied rat), and Mus musculus domesticus (house mouse) were captured at the highest frequencies during summer (n=186), followed by spring (n=84), fall (n=71), and winter (n=39), with a higher proportion of males captured in all seasons. Analysis of the infestation Pp revealed highly significant increases (p<0.01) in ectoparasites during the winter. Temperature, humidity, and dew point were significantly (p<0.01) correlated with the numbers of captured and infested rodents. Parasitological examinations showed the higher risks of flea (Echidnophaga gallinacea, Xenopsylla cheopis, and Leptopsylla segnis) and lice (Hoplopleura hirsuta, Hoplopleura ocanthopus, Hoplopleura oenomydis, and Polyplax spinulosa) infestations during winter and mite (Laelaps nuttalli, Dermanyssus gallinae, Ornithonyssus bacoti, and Myobia musculi) infestations during summer. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ectoparasitic infestation prevalence and risk varies with predominating macroclimatic conditions. Strict preventive and biosecurity measures should be applied to combat rodent-related problems.

Prevalence of Eimeria species among sheep and goats in Suez Governorate, Egypt.

Coccidiosis is a disease of high economic importance caused by Eimeria species that show ubiquitous distribution among several species including small ruminants. The prevalence of Eimeria infection in sheep and goats in Geneffe village, Suez Governorate, Egypt was determined during the period from March 2015 to February 2016. Total of 277 animals (142 sheep and 135 goats) were clinically examined and fecal samples were collected and tested both microscopically and by PCR. Sera samples of sheep and goats under 1 year were collected for biochemical analysis. Results revealed that (60%) of goats and (57.70%) of sheep were suffering from subclinical coccidiosis. Adult female goats were significantly (P < 0.05) more infected (82.2%) than adult male goats (40%). Eimeria infection was significantly prevalent in summer (75%) and autumn (74.2%) in sheep than winter (38.2%) and spring (43.2%), while goats did not show significant seasonal variations of infection. The Eimeria species were identified as E. crandallis, E. granulosa, E. ovina, E. parva, E. faurei, E. ovinoidalis, E intricate, E. pallida, E. arloingi, and E. ahasta in sheep, and E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. hirci, E. caprina, E. christenseni, E. jolchijevi, E. apsheronica and E. arloingi in goats. Although animals were subclinically infected with coccidia, some significant biochemical changes were observed in serum samples of sheep and goats. The molecular detection of Eimeria oocysts did not yield any positive results but after sporulation, Eimeria oocysts were detected at zone 100 bp. Our results showed a moderate prevalence of Eimeria infection among adult and yearling sheep and goats in Geneffe village. Suez governorate, Egypt.Hence, good control and prevention programs are necessary.

Effectiveness of poultry litter amendments on bacterial survival and Eimeria oocyst sporulation.

AIM: Broilers' optimum performance in response to their genetic potential depends on litter environment which is ideal for bacterial survival and coccidian oocyst sporulation. An in vitro evaluation was conducted for the effectiveness of superphosphate, meta-bisulfide, and charcoal litter amendments in minimizing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium survival, Eimeria oocyst count, and sporulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three groups of 16 litter trays were prepared and inoculated with E. coli O157:H7, S. Typhimurium, and Eimeria non-sporulated oocyst. A set of four trays in each group was designed for each one of the chemical amendments. A total of 720 litter samples were collected and examined for bacterial counts, Eimeria oocyst count, and sporulation during the experimental period (35 days). RESULTS: Litter moisture and pH revealed a highly significant (p<0.001) reduction in all treated litter trays compared to control. Total bacterial count (TBC), total Enterobacteriaceae count, and S. Typhimurium count showed a highly significant (p<0.001) reduction in meta-bisulfide-treated trays compared to other amendments and positive control. Meanwhile, Eimeria oocyst count and sporulation revealed a highly significant (p<0.001) reduction in superphosphate, meta-bisulfide, and charcoal-treated trays, respectively. Temperature revealed a highly significant (p<0.001) weak positive correlation with pH of all inoculated trays, a highly significant (p<0.001) weak negative correlation with moisture percentage of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium inoculated trays, and a highly significant (p<0.001) weak negative correlation with TBC. Meanwhile, relative humidity revealed significant (p≤0.005) weak positive correlation with moisture percentage of E. coli O157:H7 inoculated trays. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that regular usage with periodical reapplication of litter amendments as meta-bisulfide or superphosphate in poultry farms is one of the indispensable managemental and preventive measures for minimizing bacterial survival and inhibiting Eimeria oocyst maturation and sporulation.

Molecular survey and characterization of Trypanosoma evansi in naturally infected camels with suspicion of a Trypanozoon infection in horses by molecular detection in Egypt.

In Egypt, although the Trypanosoma evansi has been reported frequently among domestic animals, there is no published data on T. evansi in horses. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and characterization of T. evansi in three governorates by examining blood samples from 40 local camels, 35 imported camels, 25 horses and 10 donkeys by PCR targeting the sequences of TBR and RoTat 1.2VSG. The overall prevalence of T. evansi was 54.5% and 21.8% by TBR PCR and RoTat 1.2VSG PCR, respectively. The TBR PCR detected T. evansi in 60% and 71.4%, respectively, of local and imported camels and in 10% and 40% of donkeys and horses, respectively. For RoTat 1.2VSG PCR, T. evansi was detected in 32.5% and 31.4 of local and imported camels, respectively. All horses and donkeys were negative by RoTat 1.2VSG PCR. TBR PCR was superior to RoTat 1.2VSG PCR in T. evansi infection detection. Statistically significant differences in the prevalence of the infection were observed on the basis of body condition and location. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, based on RoTat 1.2VSG, confirmed the presence of T. evansi, which was closely related to Egyptian and Indian isolates. In conclusion, TBR PCR is the best assay to monitor T. evansi infections in camels, horses, and donkeys. The presence of T. evansi in horses and donkeys possibly play a role in the transport of the infection to camels. This is the first report of T. evansi infection in horses in Egypt using TBR PCR.