Implementación de barreras físicas para el control de roedores en residencias familiares periféricas a centros de abastecimiento de alimentos / Implementation of physical barriers to control rodents in peripheral family residences to food supply centers

Las especies Rattus norvegicus y R. rattus son originarias de Asia y hasta la fecha están presentes en todo el globo junto a los humanos. Estos roedores han introducido microorganismos patógenos como p.ej. Yersinia pestis, Bartonella y hantavirus en muchas áreas geográficas nuevas. Además, las ratas han adquirido nuevos macroparásitos fuera de sus áreas de distribución nativas y actúan como transmisores eficientes de patógenos entre la vida silvestre, animales domésticos, vectores y humanos. Por otro lado, los roedores dañan y contaminan mucha más comida de la que consumen. Cuando roen, dañan las instalaciones de embalaje y almacenamiento utilizadas para almacenar y transportar la comida. Los roedores contaminan los alimentos principalmente a través de sus excrementos, pelo y orina. Especies de ratas comensales como R. rattus y R. norvegicus producen alrededor de 40 excrementos al día cada uno. Si uno solo de estos excremementos se encuentra en su camino hacia los alimentos destinados a humanos existe la posibilidad de que los alimentos serán rechazados por inadecuados y su valor se reducirá significativamente. La finalidad de este trabajo, es disponer de barreras físicas con el fin de controlar la permanencia de roedores en residencias familiares periféricas alrededor de conglomerados de abastecimiento de alimentos en la ciudad de Huancayo, Perú. Los resultados mostrados en esta investigación, diagnosticaron una alta infestación de roedores en área circuncidantes del mercado de la ciudad de Huanuco de acuerdo a las zonas urbanizadas. El 100% de las residencias que se acogieron a los métodos de barrera física para el control de roedores, mostró un mayor impacto en algunas zonificadas que en otras. Este impacto se asoció significativamente con la implementación de barreras físicas(AU)

Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus are native to Asia and to date are present all over the globe alongside humans. These rodents have introduced pathogenic microorganisms such as Yersinia pestis, Bartonella and hantaviruses into many new geographical areas. In addition, rats have acquired new macroparasites outside their native ranges and act as efficient transmitters of pathogens between wildlife, domestic animals, vectors, and humans. On the other hand, rodents damage and contaminate much more food than they consume. When they gnaw, they damage packaging and storage facilities used to store and transport food. Rodents contaminate food mainly through their droppings, hair, and urine. Commensal rat species such as R. rattus and R. norvegicus each produce around 40 droppings per day. If even one of these droppings finds its way into food intended for humans, there is a chance that the food will be rejected as unsuitable and its value will be significantly reduced. The purpose of this work is to have physical barriers in order to control the permanence of rodents in peripheral family residences around food supply conglomerates in the city of Huancayo, Peru. The results shown in this investigation, diagnosed a high infestation of rodents in the area surrounding the market of the city of Huanuco according to the urbanized areas. 100% of the residences that used physical barrier methods to control rodents showed a greater impact in some zoned areas than in others. This impact was significantly associated with the implementation of physical barriers(AU)

Distribution of commensal rodents insome shops of three districts in Malakand region, Pakistan / Distribuição de roedores comensais em algumas lojas de três distritos na região de Malakand, Paquistão

Using wire mesh live traps distribution pattern of the Rattus rattus and Mus musculus in different shops of three districts of Malakand region, Pakistan were recorded from September 2014 to October 2015. Over all 103 rodents (Rattus rattus 86 and Mus musculus 17) were caught during in 0.04 trap success (2448 trap nights). Regression of daily captures on cumulative captures revealed an estimate of 103 rodents from all the sampled structures with an average of 3.55 rodents per shop. R. rattus; 83.4% of captures were numerically dominant in almost all types of shops sampled, and were significantly different than Mus musculus; 16.5% of captures. Both species were found together in some shops while they were mostly trapped from the separate shops. Male rodents outnumbered the females.

Usando o padrão de distribuição de armadilhas vivas de malha de arame do Rattus rattus e Mus musculus em diferentes lojas de três distritos da região de Malakand, o Paquistão foi registrado de setembro de 2014 a outubro de 2015. No total, 103 roedores (Rattus rattus 86 e Mus musculus 17) foram pegos durante em 0,04 armadilha de sucesso (2448 noites de armadilha). A regressão das capturas diárias em capturas cumulativas revelou uma estimativa de 103 roedores de todas as estruturas amostradas, com uma média de 3,55 roedores por loja. R. rattus; 83,4% das capturas foram numericamente dominantes em quase todos os tipos de lojas da amostra e foram significativamente diferentes do Mus musculus; 16,5% das capturas. Ambas as espécies foram encontradas juntas em algumas lojas, enquanto estavam na maior parte presas em lojas separadas. Os roedores machos eram mais numerosos do que as fêmeas.

Perfil das reclamações registradas acerca de roedores do Distrito Federal, Brasil / Profile of registered complaints about rodents of the Federal District, Brazil

Os animais sinantrópicos, dentre eles os roedores, contituem problema de saúde pública em áreas urbanizadas. Foi realizado levantamento das reclamações sobre roedores feitas para o setor de animais sinantrópicos da Diretoria de Vigilância Ambiental doDistrito Federal no intervalo entre 2014 e 2016. As solicitações atingiram o número de 10.232, sendo 4.429 em 2014, 4.368 e 1.429 nos respectivos anos subsequentes. A queda expressiva é decorrente da ausência de telefone no Órgão, se tratando da forma de comunicação mais utilizada para execução das solicitações. Quando relacionados a população das Regiões Administrativas com a quantidade de reclamações, houve relação, mas o mesmo não ocorreu com renda per capita e grau de escolaridade. 6.902 ocorrências foram em residências, justificadas pela população ansiando por desratização gratuita. Houve 11.901 casos confirmados de leptospirose no Brasil nos anos estudados. Destes, 82 ocorreram no DF. Mesmo que maiores os valores utilizados em programas de controle de roedores quando comparados a despesas com zoonoses transmitidas por esses animais, sendo custos diretos médicos, diretos não médicos, indiretos não mensuráveis, o bem-estar da sociedade deve ser destacado.

Synanthropic animals, including rodents, contain the public health problem in urbanized areas. A survey of rodent complaints made to the synanthropic animal sector of the Federal District Environmental Surveillance Directorate was carried out between 2014 and 2016. The occurrences reached 10,232, with 4,429 in 2014, 4,368 and 1,429 in subsequent years. The significant drop is due to the absence of a telephone in the Agency, being the most used form of communication for executing executions. When related to the population of the Administrative Regions with the number of complaints, there was a relationship, but the same did not occur with per capita income and education level. 6,902 occurrences were in homes, justified by the population yearning for free rat removal. There were 11,901 confirmed cases of leptospirosis in Brazil in the years studied. Of these, 82 occurred in the DF. Even though the values used in rodent control programs are higher when compared to expenses with zoonoses transmitted by these animals, being direct medical costs, non-medical direct costs, non-measurable indirect costs, society's well-being must be highlighted.

Perfil das reclamações registradas acerca de roedores do Distrito Federal, Brasil / Profile of registered complaints about rodents of the Federal District, Brazil

Os animais sinantrópicos, dentre eles os roedores, contituem problema de saúde pública em áreas urbanizadas. Foi realizado levantamento das reclamações sobre roedores feitas para o setor de animais sinantrópicos da Diretoria de Vigilância Ambiental doDistrito Federal no intervalo entre 2014 e 2016. As solicitações atingiram o número de 10.232, sendo 4.429 em 2014, 4.368 e 1.429 nos respectivos anos subsequentes. A queda expressiva é decorrente da ausência de telefone no Órgão, se tratando da forma de comunicação mais utilizada para execução das solicitações. Quando relacionados a população das Regiões Administrativas com a quantidade de reclamações, houve relação, mas o mesmo não ocorreu com renda per capita e grau de escolaridade. 6.902 ocorrências foram em residências, justificadas pela população ansiando por desratização gratuita. Houve 11.901 casos confirmados de leptospirose no Brasil nos anos estudados. Destes, 82 ocorreram no DF. Mesmo que maiores os valores utilizados em programas de controle de roedores quando comparados a despesas com zoonoses transmitidas por esses animais, sendo custos diretos médicos, diretos não médicos, indiretos não mensuráveis, o bem-estar da sociedade deve ser destacado.

Synanthropic animals, including rodents, contain the public health problem in urbanized areas. A survey of rodent complaints made to the synanthropic animal sector of the Federal District Environmental Surveillance Directorate was carried out between 2014 and 2016. The occurrences reached 10,232, with 4,429 in 2014, 4,368 and 1,429 in subsequent years. The significant drop is due to the absence of a telephone in the Agency, being the most used form of communication for executing executions. When related to the population of the Administrative Regions with the number of complaints, there was a relationship, but the same did not occur with per capita income and education level. 6,902 occurrences were in homes, justified by the population yearning for free rat removal. There were 11,901 confirmed cases of leptospirosis in Brazil in the years studied. Of these, 82 occurred in the DF. Even though the values used in rodent control programs are higher when compared to expenses with zoonoses transmitted by these animals, being direct medical costs, non-medical direct costs, non-measurable indirect costs, society’s well-being must be highlighted.

Rodent control programmes can integrate Echinococcus multilocularis surveillance by facilitating parasite genotyping: the case of Arvicola terrestris voles screening in France.

The tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis is the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis, the most serious parasitic disease for humans in Europe. In Europe, the E. multilocularis lifecycle is based on a prey-predator relationship between the red fox and small rodents. Over the last three decades, the surveillance of E. multilocularis infection in red foxes has led to the description of a wider distribution pattern across Europe. France constitutes the current European western border, but only the north-eastern half of the country is considered endemic. The red fox is the host mainly targeted in E. multilocularis surveillance programmes, but surveys targeting small rodents may be useful for obtaining molecular data, especially when the time-consuming trapping is already carried out in dedicated pest-control programmes. Here, we screened for parasitic lesions in the livers of 1238 Arvicola terrestris voles originating from the historical, but neglected focal area located in central France (Auvergne region) and from Hautes-Alpes, a recently identified endemic department in south-eastern France. This screening identified six voles infected with E. multilocularis in Hautes-Alpes and none in Puy-de-Dôme (Auvergne region) after molecular confirmation. The absence of infected rodents from Puy-de-Dôme can be mainly explained by the generally low prevalence reported in intermediate hosts. The infected Hautes-Alpes samples come all from the same trapping site situated at around 5 km from one of the three fox faecal samples with E. multilocularis DNA collected 15 years prior, thereby confirming the existence and persistence of the E. multilocularis lifecycle in the area. All the rodent E. multilocularis samples from Hautes-Alpes showed the same EmsB microsatellite marker profile. This profile has previously been described in Europe only in the Jura department (central eastern France), located at least 180 km further north. Successive migrations of infected foxes from the historical focal area, including from Jura, to Hautes-Alpes may explain the detection of the parasite in A. terrestris in Hautes-Alpes. Existing trapping efforts in areas where farmers trap A. terrestris for surveillance and pest control can be an effective complement to sampling foxes or fox faeces to obtain E. multilocularis molecular profiles.

Effect of Plumeriarubra(Apocynaceae) leaf extracts, a repellent of rice-field rats (Rattusargentiventer), on its metabolism and daily activity / Efecto del extracto foliar de Plumeria rubra (Apocynaceae), repelente de la rata (Rattus argentiventer), en su metabolismo y actividad diaria

Introduction: Rice-field rats are one of the most important pests because it can give large losses in all planting seasons including the storehouse. Synthetic rodenticide is the most commonly used of chemical technique for controlling rice-field rats. The application of these materials indirectly causes negative impacts; one of them is for the environment. As an alternative for controlling rice-field rats, natural materials can be used as a repellent. Objective: To examine the effects of methanol extract of Plumeriarubra leaves on metabolism, daily activity patterns, and its potency as a repellent of the rice-field rat. Methods: The experiments were conducted at the Laboratory of Pests, UniversitasPadjadjaran involves choice test (T-maze arena), and the Laboratory of Rats, Indonesian Center for Rice Research involves no-choice test (metabolic cage) from February until May 2019. The observations including food (g), water consumption (ml), feces production (g), urine production (ml), body weight (g), and its changes (%), also the daily activities (time spent for locomotion, foraging, and resting).The treatment was done with three replications for twelve mature male and twelve mature non-pregnant females. Data experiments analysis followed by a T-test. Results: Rice-field rats on the T-Maze arena avoided consuming food and beverage that close to methanol extract of Plumeriarubra leaves treatment. The treatment of methanol extract of Plumeria leaves in metabolic cage caused metabolic disorder of rice-field rat, which was significantly indicated by the decrease of the average consumption of food by 2.28 g and excretion of feces by 0.34 g, and also the increase of average consumption of beverage by 3.89 ml, excretion of urine by 3.15 ml, and body weight by 6.67 g. The treatment also caused daily activity patterns disorder of rice-field rats, which was significantly indicated by the increase of the average percentage of time for movement activities (locomotion) by 7.64 % and the decrease of time for eating and drinking activities (foraging) by 16.46 %. Conclusion: Methanol extract of Plumeria leaves affects a repellent for the rice-field rat.

Introducción: Las ratas arroceras son una de las plagas más importantes porque pueden producir grandes pérdidas en todas las temporadas de siembra, incluso en el almacenaje. La técnica química más utilizada para controlar las ratas de los arrozales es el raticida sintético. Sin embargo, la aplicación de estos químicos provoca indirectamente impactos negativos, por ejemplo, en el ambiente. Una alternativa para controlar la rata arrocera es la utilización de compuestos naturales como repelentes. Objetivo: Examinar los efectos del extracto metanólico de hojas de Plumeria rubra sobre el metabolismo, los patrones de actividad diaria en las ratas arroceras y su potencial como repelente. Métodos: Los experimentos se llevaron a cabo en Laboratory of Pests, UniversitasPadjadjaran usando la prueba T-maze arena, y en Laboratory of Rats, Indonesian Center for Rice Research usando la prueba metaboliccage, desde febrero hasta mayo 2019. Las observaciones incluyeron consumo de alimentos (g), consumo de agua (ml), producción de heces (g), producción de orina (ml), peso corporal (g) y cambios (%), además actividades diarias (tiempo dedicado a la locomoción, búsqueda de alimento, y reposo). El tratamiento se realizó con tres repeticiones para 12 machos maduros y 12 hembras maduras no gestantes. Los análisis de experimentos de datos se realizaron con la prueba T. Resultados: Las ratas arroceras en la T-maze arena evitaron consumir alimentos y bebidas cercanos al extracto de metanol de hojas de Plumeria rubra. El tratamiento del extracto metanólico de hojas de Plumeria rubra en la prueba metaboliccage provocó un trastorno metabólico en estas ratas, lo cual se demostró significativamente en la disminución del consumo promedio de alimento en 2.28 g y la excreción de heces en 0.34 g, además en el aumento del consumo promedio de bebida en 3.89 ml, excreción de orina en 3.15 ml y peso corporal en 6.67 g. El tratamiento también provocó un trastorno en los patrones de actividad diaria de las ratas, lo cual fue demostrado por el aumento significativo en el porcentaje promedio de tiempo para actividades de movimiento (locomoción) en un 7.64 % y la disminución del tiempo para comer y beber (búsqueda de alimento) en un 16.46 %. Conclusión: El extracto metanólico de hojas de Plumeria rubra tiene un efecto repelente en las ratas arroceras.

An assessment of vegetation management practices and burrow fumigation with aluminum phosphide as tools for managing voles within perennial crop fields in California, USA.

Voles (Cricetidae) cause extensive damage to a variety of crops throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere. The removal of vegetation from crop fields at the end of the growing season, combined with a subsequent burrow fumigant application of aluminum phosphide, has the potential to substantially curtail vole activity but has not been thoroughly examined. We set up a study to test the impact of these management tools in perennial globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) fields in Monterey County, CA, during 2010 and 2011, to determine their potential utility as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program for managing California voles (Microtus californicus). We used both chewing indices and mortality estimates derived via radiotelemetry to assess the efficacy of aboveground vegetation removal and aluminum phosphide applications on vole abundance. We determined the impact of plowing artichoke fields on vole activity as well. Both removal of vegetation and applications of aluminum phosphide substantially reduced vole presence within treated fields. Plowing also reduced vole abundance to the point of little residual activity following treatment. These management practices appear to be effective at eliminating voles from crop fields. Combining these tools with management practices designed to slow down reinvasion by neighboring vole populations (e.g., barriers, repellents, traps) has the potential to substantially reduce farmer reliance on rodenticides for vole management, although rodenticides will still be needed to curtail populations that reestablish within crop fields. Such an IPM approach should substantially benefit both farmers and agro-ecosystems.

Effects of different odours on the reproductive success of Mus musculus as an alternative method of control.

BACKGROUND: The house mouse (Mus musculus) is a cosmopolitan rodent that has become adapted to living in close association with humans and is considered a serious pest because it poses a risk to human health, and causes economic losses due to food and crop consumption and damage to buildings. Its control in livestock farms is achieved mainly through the application of anticoagulant rodenticides, but the effect of these compounds is limited due to the presence of resistant individuals and aversive behaviours. A potential alternative method is the use of chemical signals to reduce rodent reproductive success. In this study, we assessed the effects of odours from an unfamiliar male, 17ß-oestradiol, overcrowding, cat urine and 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT) on the reproductive success of laboratory Mus musculus females. RESULTS: According to the generalized linear mixed models, cat urine odour increased the proportion of abortions per female, unfamiliar male odour decreased the mean number of offspring born per female, and TMT had an overall negative effect on mean offspring production at birth and at weaning. The other odours had no significant effects on reproductive success. CONCLUSIONS: TMT seems to be the best candidate for population control because it caused a decrease in the mean number of offspring born and the mean number of live offspring at weaning. TMT also has the advantage of being available in commercial forms. To be useful for rodent management in field conditions, these results should be confirmed using wild house mice females. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Papel de los roedores en la transmisión de Leptospira spp. en granjas porcinas / The role of rodents in the transmission of Leptospira spp. in swine farms

RESUMEN Diferentes especies de roedores son potenciales transmisores de múltiples agentes zoonóticos como Leptospira spp., espiroqueta causante de la Leptospirosis, que es una enfermedad infecciosa que tiene un impacto negativo en la porcicultura debido a que genera grandes pérdidas productivas, reproductivas y económicas. En las granjas porcinas, las especies de roedores más comunes son el ratón doméstico (Mus musculus), la rata parda (Rattus norvegicus) y la rata negra (Rattus rattus), que actúan como huéspedes de mantenimiento de diferentes serovares de Leptospira spp., contaminando con orina el ambiente, los alimentos y el agua, poniendo en riesgo la salud humana y animal. Por esta razón, el objetivo de este artículo es describir el papel de los roedores en la transmisión de Leptospira en granjas porcinas. Para esto, se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en diferentes bases de datos como Science Direct, Scopus, Redalyc, PubMed y SciELO. Los resultados de la revisión de literatura, demuestran que son escasos los estudios que reportan la importancia de los roedores en la transmisión de Leptospira en granjas porcinas. La presentación de la enfermedad depende en gran parte de la presencia, el contacto y el control de roedores en las granjas, aunque también se deben tener en cuenta factores ambientales, de supervivencia del agente y las medidas de higiene, entre otros.(AU)

ABSTRACT Different species of rodents are potential transmitters of multiple zoonotic agents such as Leptospira spp., a spirochete that causes leptospirosis. This is an infectious disease that has a negative impact on pig production because it generates large productive, reproductive and economic losses. In swine farms, the most common rodent species are house mice (Mus musculus), brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) and black rats (Rattus rattus), which act as maintenance hosts for different serovars of Leptospira, contaminating the environment, food and water through urine, and putting human and animal health at risk. For this reason, the objective of this article is to describe the role of rodents in the transmission of Leptospira in swine farms. For this purpose, a bibliographic search was carried out in different databases such as Science Direct, Scopus, Redalyc, PubMed and SciELO. The results of the literature review show that there are few studies that report the importance of rodents in the transmission of Leptospira in swine farms. The onset of the disease depends to a large extent on the presence, contact and control of rodents in farms, although environmental factors, agent survival and hygiene, among others, must also be considered.(AU)

[Pest control in your garden - a case series of severe hand injuries caused by privately used explosives and shot traps]. / Schädlingsbekämpfung im eigenen Garten - Fallserie schwerer Handverletzungen durch Spreng- und Schussfallen in privatem Gebrauch.

Booby traps and gun-like devices for vole control can lead to complex trauma requiring emergency medical care. We present a case series of patients who suffered severe hand and facial trauma through detonation of booby traps and paraphernalia (n = 9, Ø 60 years of age). All patients were admitted to the emergency department of Hannover Medical School for primary care. Between 2011 and 2015 we treated six patients with hand trauma due to gun-like devices, two patients with hand trauma due to booby traps, and one patient with injury to the face including eyes due to a gas cartridge explosion. All hand trauma patients (n = 8) showed injuries of the soft tissue. Six of these patients also presented fractures or lesions of capsular or tendon structures. Therapies included debridement as well as skin grafts or flaps for tissue defect coverage. We informed the Department for Commercial Safety (Gewerbeaufsicht Hannover) in 2014 because we believe that these traps pose a serious safety hazard.

Zoonosis associated to Rattus rattus and the impacts of the public actions to control the species / Zoonoses associadas à Rattus rattus e os impactos das ações públicas de controle sobre a espécie

The occurrence of the black rat, Rattus rattus , in major Brazilian cities has increased in the recent years. To evaluate if the efforts of public rodent control have been reaching the species in the city of São Paulo, a survey was conducted in flooding areas using live trapping before and after implementation of the control program. Captures were carried out from 2009 to 2011, and animals were evaluated for their risk of zoonosis transmission. The number of R. rattus captured after control did not differ from the number of animals captured before the control program in the Spring/Summer season, but, in the Autumn/Winter season, effective control was observed. Low infestations of Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera) and Echinolaelaps echidninus (Acarina) were observed, and antibodies against Leptospira spp. were detected in just 1 of 65 serum samples. Ten out of 18 serum samples were sororeactive for Vaccinia virus, suggesting contact between R. rattus and the pathogen Calodium hepaticum (= Capillaria hepaticum ) (Nematoda) was found in the liver of 73.4% of captured R. rattus. In conclusion, R. rattus may not be effectively controlled by the rodent Control Program in the city of São Paulo, and represents a threat to human health, justifying permanent environmental management and educational programs.(AU)

A ocorrência do rato de telhado, Rattus rattus , nas grandes cidades brasileiras aumentou nos últimos anos. A fim de investigar se os esforços do controle público de roedores têm atingido essa espécie, foi conduzido um levantamento em áreas com risco de inundação na cidade de São Paulo, com armadilhas para captura viva dos roedores, antes e depois do controle público. O estudo foi realizado entre 2009 e 2011, e os animais capturados foram estudados para identificar seu risco como transmissores de zoonoses. O número de R. rattus capturados após o controle não diferiu entre o número de animais capturados antes do programa de controle, no período de primavera/verão, mas, no período de outono/inverno, foi observada efetividade do controle. Foram registradas infestações baixas de Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera) e Echinolaelaps echidninus (Acarina). Anticorpos contra Leptospira spp. foram detectados em apenas 1 das 65 amostras de soro. Dez entre 18 amostras de soro foram sororeativas para o vírus Vaccinia , sugerindo o contato entre R. rattus e o patógeno Calodium hepaticum (Nematoda) foi encontrado no fígado de 73,4% dos R. rattus capturados. Concluiu-se que R. rattus pode não ser controlado pelas ações propostas pelo Programa de Controle de Roedores na cidade de São Paulo e representa uma ameaça para a saúde humana, justificando permanentes programas de gestão ambiental e programas educacionais.(AU)

Resistance testing and the effectiveness of difenacoum against Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in a tyrosine139cysteine focus of anticoagulant resistance, Westphalia, Germany.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulant resistance in Norway rats at foci in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom is genetically characterised by the same single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and consequent amino acid exchange from tyrosine to cysteine at location 139 of the vkorc1 gene (i.e. tyrosine139cysteine or Y139C). The purpose of this study was to assess the degree of resistance among rats at two infested farm sites in the Y139C focus in Westphalia, Germany, using blood clotting response (BCR) tests, and to determine the practical efficacy of applications of a commercial 50 ppm difenacoum bait (Neokil™) against them. RESULTS: BCR tests showed that the difenacoum resistance factor (RF) among the Y139C rats was about 2.5. DNA analysis for the Y139C mutation revealed that it was present among rats at the two sites with a prevalence of 75 and 93%. Applications of difenacoum bait at the two sites achieved 86.8 and 59.9% control. The different outcomes did not appear to be due to differences either in the degree and prevalence of resistance or in the quantities of poisoned bait consumed. CONCLUSION: The study showed that, although the RF for difenacoum among rats carrying the Y139C SNP was apparently low, an acceptable level of control of resistant Norway rat infestations was not achieved using difenacoum. Continued use of anticoagulants against rats that are resistant to them will exacerbate resistance problems in terms of both increased severity and prevalence. These conclusions are likely to apply elsewhere in Europe where the Y139C SNP occurs.

Coumatetralyl resistance of Rattus tanezumi infesting oil palm plantations in Indonesia.

Rodent control is an important issue in human health and agriculture. Oil palm plantations are rapidly expanding in Indonesia and this is having a major economic and ecological impact. Rodent control in oil palm plantations is based principally on the use of anti-vitamin K (AVK), the main anticoagulant used being coumatetralyl, a first-generation AVK. We conducted a comparative study in two well established oil palm plantations in Indonesia: (1) one without chemical control in Riau and (2) another with intensive coumatetralyl use on Bangka Island. Rat species were identified by the molecular barcoding method. Susceptibility to coumatetralyl was then assessed within the two populations and we screened for mutations in vkorc1, which encodes the molecular target of AVK. Different species were found in the two areas: Rattus tiomanicus in Riau, and a mix of R. tanezumi and a close relative one in Bangka. The rats in Riau were much more susceptible to coumatetralyl than those in Bangka. This study is the first to demonstrate physiological tolerance to AVK in these species. vkorc1 displayed low levels of polymorphism, and no SNP was associated with the high-tolerance phenotypes of R. tanezumi clade, even those exposed to very high concentrations (32 × the effective dose of 0.36 mg kg(-1)). The biochemical basis of this tolerance remains unknown, but may involve the vkorc1 promoter and/or cytochrome P450 metabolism. We discuss our results and the selective role of anticoagulant use in the occurrence of phenotypic tolerance.

Brodifacoum is effective against Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) in a tyrosine139cysteine focus of anticoagulant resistance in Westphalia, Germany.

BACKGROUND: The tyrosine to cysteine amino acid substitution at location 139 of the vkorc1 protein (i.e. tyrosine139cysteine or Y139C) is the most widespread anticoagulant resistance mutation in Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus Berk.) in Europe. Field trials were conducted to determine the incidence of the Y139C mutation at two rat-infested farms in Westphalia, Germany, and to estimate the practical efficacy against them of applications, using a pulsed baiting treatment regime, of a proprietary bait (Klerat™) containing 0.005% brodifacoum. RESULTS: DNA analysis for the Y139C mutation showed that resistant rats were prevalent at the two farms, with an incidence of 80.0 and 78.6% respectively. Applications of brodifacoum bait achieved results of 99.2 and 100.0% control at the two farms, when measured by census baiting, although the treatment was somewhat prolonged at one site, possibly owing to the abundance of attractive alternative food. CONCLUSION: The study showed that 0.005% brodifacoum bait is fully effective against Norway rats possessing the Y139C mutation at the Münsterland focus and is likely to be so elsewhere in Europe where this mutation is found. The pulsed baiting regime reduced to relatively low levels the quantity of bait required to control these two substantial resistant Norway rat infestations. Previous studies had shown much larger quantities of bromadiolone and difenacoum baits used in largely ineffective treatments against Y139C resistant rats in the Münsterland. These results should be considered when making decisions about the use of anticoagulants against resistant Norway rats and their potential environmental impacts.

The acceptability of rat trap use over pesticides for rodent control in two poor urban communities in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Rodent infestations are a public health problem in poor urban communities. The use of illegal street pesticides to control rodent infestations with resulting poisonings is an additional public health concern receiving limited attention in many developing countries, including South Africa. METHODS: Participants in a household intervention in two poor urban areas of Cape Town, South Africa, received two high quality rat traps. Reported in this article are the results of a follow-up survey conducted six months after distribution to assess community perceived acceptability of using rat traps instead of toxic pesticides (N = 175). RESULTS: Of the 175 respondents that were followed up, 88% used the traps and only 35% continued using pesticides after the intervention. The analysis identified perceived effectiveness of the traps (prevalence odds ratio 18.00, 95% confidence interval 4.62 to 70.14), being male (prevalence odds ratio 8.86, 95% confidence interval 1.73 to 45.19), and the willingness to buy traps from an informal market (prevalence odds ratio 17.75, 95% confidence interval 4.22 to 74.57) as significantly associated with the acceptance of trap use. CONCLUSIONS: Rat traps, when introduced to poor urban communities, are acceptable as an alternative to toxic pesticides for rodent control. Sustainability of trap use, however, needs to be researched, especially cost and cost-benefit.

Reestruturação das ações de controle de roedores no município do Jaboatão dos Guararapes-PE / Restructuring of control of rodents in the city of Jaboatão Guararapes-PE

A vigilância Ambiental está cada vez mais inserida nas ações de saúde pelo controle dos animais, pelas intervenções no ambiente e principalmente pelo incremento nas ações educativas, envolvendo e conscientizando a população de seu importante papel para a modificação do ambiente e eficácia das ações da vigilância. Nesse contexto, temos como um grande desafio estabelecer o controle de roedores eficaz, visto que, a presença destes em áreas urbanas e rurais geram agravos econômicos e sanitários de grande relevância ao homem. Os roedores participam da cadeia epidemiológica de pelo menos trinta doenças transmitidas ao homem, sendo a leptospirose uma das mais importantes. No município do Jaboatão dos Guararapes em 2011, tivemos 28 casos de leptospirose confirmados com 05 óbitos e até o mês de agosto de 2012, tivemos 07 casos confirmados com 03 óbitos. O presente estudo visa elaborar um plano de intervenção para a reestruturação das ações de controle de roedores no município do Jaboatão dos Guararapes, utilizando-se não somente a pratica da aplicação de raticidas, como também a utilização de abordagens educativas e a integração com setores de limpeza urbana, infra-estrutura e obras, visando à diminuição da incidência de leptospirose e propiciando um ambiente mais saudável aos munícipes.