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

J Egypt Soc Parasitol. 1998 Dec;28(3):815-26.

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Vectors*
  • Egypt
  • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / prevention & control
  • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / transmission*
  • Rodent Diseases / prevention & control
  • Rodent Diseases / transmission*
  • Rodentia / classification
  • Rodentia / parasitology
  • Rodentia / physiology*
  • Seasons
  • Zoonoses*