Detection of microorganisms in the saliva and midgut smears of different tick species [Acari: ixodoidea] in Egypt

Investigation of 1789 field-collected adult ticks in Egypt for the presence of microorganisms revealed the following: the protozoan, Babesia bigemina, B. canis; Theileria annulata, and the rickettesia Aegyptianella pullorum [Carpano] were found in the saliva and the mid-guts smears of eight ixodid and two argasid tick species. The infected percent was higher in cattle and dog ticks than it was in fowl ticks; it was also higher in salivary glands [S] than in the midguts [M]. Identification of protozoa using microscopic image analysis, showed that: Hyalomma spp. [Koch] were infected with T. annulata', the genera Boophilus [Curtice] and Rhipicephalus Koch were infected with B. bigemina, and B. canis respectively; Argas spp. [Latreille] were infected with A. pullorum. The bacterial disease agents: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and Yersinia were detected in [S] and [M] of eight ixodids and one argasid tick species; Bacillus was only found in H. anatolicum excavatum, [Koch]. Escherichia coli was isolated only from A. persicus [Oken] midguts

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

In this work, 19 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 sanguineous, R. turanicus, R. guilhoni, R. camicasi, Amblyomma lepidium, A. marmoreum, A. variegatum, Argus persicus, A. hermanni and A. Arboreus were collected from different localities in five governorates [Giza, Sharqia, Ismailia, El-Behaira and Sinai]. Hyalomma species were found on camels and cows. B. Annulatus was found only on cows, Rhipicephalus species on dogs, camels and sheep. Amblyomma species were found on imported camels and Argus species on chickens, herons and pigeons. Examination of camels, cows, sheep and chickens infested with ticks showed Theileria annulata, Babesia bigemina, B. Ovis and Babesiosoma gallinarum, respectively. Hemoproteus columbae were found in pigeons

Studies on chicken acquired resistance to argas [persicargas] persicus latereille [acari: argasidae] due to repeated infestation

Spring chickens were used for feeding Argus persicus [females] daily over one week during both winter and summer seasons. Acquired resistance to ticks was monitored by the failure of ticks to replenish a blood meal from chickens bitten repeatedly by the infesting ticks during winter and summer seasons, measurements of anti-tick activity in the chicken sera and detection of changes in their serum proteins. Chickens were bled after the 4th feeding, during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks post-feeding. The titer of anti-tick antibody was determined in the chicken sera by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] technique. The change in sera protein bands after Argas persicus female repeated feeding was studied by the use of 10% SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results showed that the non- feeding percentage in A. persicus was significant in both winter and summer seasons. The highest concentration of antibodies against A. persicus was detected after the fourth feeding and the lowest titer was reported in sera collected after the fourth week in both seasons. Infested chicken serum proteins electrophoresis showed different patterns of separation from the non-infested chickens. The protein bands of the non-infested chicken sera had 5 and 10 bands in the winter and summer seasons; but in infested chicken sera, it ranged between 12-17 and 14-18 bands in winter and summer seasons, respectively

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 gnathostoma and idiosoma are shown. The taxonomic position of the species is discussed

fur mite listophorus arishi: sp nov [listrophrinae, 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 view of male are provided

Effects of certain acaricides on the mortality rates of argas [persicargas] persicus [Ixodoidea: argasidae]

The obtained results show that Argas [P.] persicus ticks are more susceptible to organophosphate acaricides, Diazinon and Malathion than the organochlorine, Neguvon. Susceptibility of adults to Diazinon was higher than Malathion. The nymphs were affected similarly, while larval stage showed the highest susceptibility to these acaricides. All stages of A. persicus ticks showed high resistance to Neguvon. The survival periods of treated ticks were 1 to 7 days, and 1 to 10 days when treated by Diazinon or Malathion, and Neguvon respectively. It is concluded that usage of organophosphate acaricides is more economic to control the fowl ticks, and that control should be at intervals no longer than one week

Parthenogenesis and effect of lack of mating on development and fecundity in hyalomma [H] anatolicum excavatum Koch, 1844

The results suggest that parthenogenesis has no role in development of H. anatolicum excavatum populations in nature. In the absence of males, feeding period is prolonged, females do not fully engorge, are smaller in size, and lay fewer eggs with a greatly reduced viability. However, hatching of a few unfertilized eggs must be considered in performing hybridization experiments

Overwintering of hyaloma [H] anatolicum Koch [1844] subspecies, anatolicum and excavatum [ixodoidea, ixodidae] in Egypt

Fed females of Hyalomma a. anatolicum [a], and H. anatolicum excavatum [x] sheltered indoors under natural conditions undergo oogenesis delay. The data indicate that fed females tolerate winter conditions under indoor or outdoor conditions, eggs cannot survive winter conditions, while unfed larvae may survive until onset of favourable conditions