HighlightsSubclinical infection with Eimeria spp. was detected in sheep (57.7%) and goats (60%).Infected sheep serum levels of protein and sodium showed a significant decrease.Extracted DNA from sporulated oocysts was successfully amplified at 100 bp band using PCR.

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.

Background: Ticks are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites of vertebrates. Since many tick identification studies are based on the analysis of 16S rDNA, 12S rDNA and ITS-1, 2 rDNA genes, we aimed to compare the performance of these molecular markers of common use for the identification of ticks, under a diagnostic laboratory environment. Methods: Overall, 192 tick specimens were collected through the state of Texas from January 2014 to August 2015 and the species was determined by both morphology and molecular amplification using the 16S rDNA, 12S rDNA, ITS1 and ITS2. Results: The species collected were identified by molecular techniques as Dermacentor albipictus, D. variabilis, Am­blyomma americanum, Ixodes scapularis, A. cajennense, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Carios capensis. ITS1 and ITS2 were not able to prove consistent amplification and therefore have been considered as potential markers for tick iden­tification. Conclusion: The use of mitochondrial genes in tick identification showed to provide more consistent results in the diagnostic environment.

Background: External parasites contribute to extensive harmful impacts on their hosts which is why control and eradication of external parasites have been included in all biosecurity plans of dog houses. Aim: To evaluate the in-vitro and in-vivo effectiveness of chemicals like Doramectin injectable and Fipronil 50 mg/ml drops and herbal mixes eco-friendly insecticides like phenylpyrazole–garlic–camphor mix spray for combating the external parasitism in dogs and their influence on the hematological, biochemical, and cortisol (CORT) profiles. Method: The in-vitro effectiveness of the insecticides was conducted by using a total of 216 developmental stage Rhipicephalus sanguineus (72 adults, 72 larvae, and 72 eggs) designed into three replicates of petri dishes (3 plates × 8 units × 3 stages/replicate); each replicate was exposed to 1 ml insecticide. The number of surviving ticks was recorded after 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours. Sixteen Rottweiler male dogs aged 1 year and 45.5 kg were divided into four groups. Three groups (G1, G2, and G3) were experimentally infested with R. sanguineus ticks 3–4 weeks post-dog arrival and kept under observation from zero-time of experimental infestation for 1–2 weeks. The three experimentally infested dog groups were treated with Doramectin injectable, Fipronil 50 mg/ml drops, and phenylpyrazole–garlic–camphor mix spray, respectively, and the fourth group was designed as a negative control. A total of 144 samples, including 48 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid blood, 48 whole blood, and 48 sera samples, were collected. Results: The in-vitro efficacy revealed highly significant ( p < 0.01) 100% killing efficacy that was achieved after 8 hours in Doramectin and Fipronil 50 mg/ml and 24 hours in phenylpyrazole–garlic–camphor mix. The in-vivo trials revealed highly significant ( p < 0.01) improvements of red blood cells, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations, platelets, total and differential leukocytic counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rates in the second hour, total protein, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, urea, glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and CORT levels in the 2-week (P 1 ) and 4-week posttreatment (P 2 ) samples in Dormectin, Fipronil 50 mg/ml, and phenylpyrazole–garlic–camphor mix-treated dogs with more pronounced recovery in phenylpyrazole–garlic–camphor mix spray-treated dogs. Conclusion: The insecticides were able to provide a high level of protection against experimental infestation with concern to the different modes of application. Phenylpyrazole–garlic–camphor mix spray (eco-friendly) achieved higher insecticidal act...

R odents have an important role in the maintenance and transmission of vector-borne zoonoses (Tomassone et al., 2018), they are considered the largest mammals order with wide species diversity; they can be found in all terrestrial environments which support life (Vaughan, et al., 2000). Rodents presented one of the health problems worldwide (Pakdad et al., 2012). They have huge negative impacts on the natural environment causing great economic losses to the livestock and human in direct and indirect ways (Harpera and Bunbury, 2015). Rodents can induce damage to properties like homes, apartments, hotels, office complexes, retail, and warehouse facilities, as well as, public utility operations (Abdel-Azeem, 2008). In urban environments, rodent species such as Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are prevalent and pose a threat to public health by serving as a vector and/or reservoir host with their ectoparasites for various pathogens that can be transmitted to humans and livestock (Chagas et al., 2017). Ectoparasites that infest rodents include various species of fleas, lice (Insecta), ticks, and mites (Acari); they can serve as vectors of several diseases including bubonic plague, murine typhus, and tularemia (Mohd Zain et al., 2015). From the public health perspective, rodents considered a key role in the transmission of many zoonotic diseas-research Article Abstract | Rodents have a huge impact on the natural environment. Rat and mice are considered a natural host for a large number of ectoparasites. The present study aimed to determine the geographical distribution and ectoparasites infestation rates of commensal rats and mice collected from the North Sinai governorate-Egypt. The survey was conducted during the period from December 2016 to November 2017 in three different locations namely Bir el-`Abd city, Rabaa, and Qatia villages located in the North Sinai governorate. The ectoparasites were isolated from four species of rodents including Rattus norvegicus (Brown rats), Rattus rattus frugivorus (Black rats), Rattus rattus alexandrinus, and Mus musculus (House mouse). The survey recovered and identified three species of fleas including Echidnophaga gallinacea, Xenopsylla cheopis, and Leptopsylla segnis, four species of lice including Hoplopleura hirsute, Hoplopleura ocanthopus, Hoplopleura oenomydis, Polyplax spinulosai, and five species of mites including Laelaps nuttalli, Dermanyssus gallinae, Ornithonyssus bacoti, Myobia musculi, Allodermanyssus sanguine. The distribution of the ectoparasites was identified according to several factors including rodent species, sex, location, and seasonal effects and the zoonotic role of some of the identified rodent ectoparasites was discussed.

T he human-animal bond has been strengthened with dogs and cats with their role as companions to relieve depression, lower stressful conditions, and provides powerful health benefits. On the other hand, this close contact with dogs and cats might contribute to an increased risk of contracting some infectious and zoonotic

Parasites are responsible for significant harmful effects on hosts which may end with death in addition to the economic losses (Borgsteede, 1996). Food-borne parasitic infestation has been recognized as an important public health problem. For instance, in Egypt, freshwater fishes are considered an important source of parasitic infestation to humans and fish-eating mammals especially with the pollution problem of the rivers and lakes (Mohamed, 1996). One of the emerging infectious diseases is fish-borne zoonotic trematodes. Fish-borne zoonotic trematodes are divided into two groups, the small liver ARTICLE INFO

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