BACKGROUND: Canine infestation of ectoparasites is of medical and veterinary importance worldwide and in Iran due to transmission of pathogen agents. OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed to determine prevalence and species diversity of ectoparasites in dogs of Gilanegharb suburb of Kermanshah province, Iran. METHODS: A total of 138 dogs (93 sheepdogs and 45 watchdogs) were randomly selected and examined from March 2012 to May 2013. The body surface was investigated for ixodid ticks and removed along with the mouthparts. The mites were also removed directly from the skin and/or using skin scraping and then digested. Fleas and lice were collected from body surface of examined dogs and identified. RESULTS: The results indicated that 65 sheepdogs (47.11%) and 43 watchdogs (31.16%) were infested with ectoparasites. There was a significant difference between prevalence and sex in dogs aged less than one-year-old (p≤0.05). The maximum and minimum ixodid ticks infestations were respectively for Rhipicephalus sanguineus (35.36%) and H. marginatum marginatum (3.06%). Tick indices (number of tick per each animal) were 2.13 with the highest body distribution in ear (24.82%) of R. sanguineus (p≤0.05). The frequency of ixodid tick infestation was significantly higher in spring (33.82%) than other seasons. Thirty five dogs (25.14%) out of all examined dogs were infested with Sarcoptes scabiei (15.33%), Demodex canis (9.81%), Ctenocephaloides canis (6.52%), Pulex irritans (3.62%), and Trichodectes canis (4.35%). CONCLUSIONS: From the results of the current study, it was concluded that there was species diversity in dogs’ ectoparasites fauna which can be transmitted to humans and served as the carrier for spreading the infective agents in the region.

In most countries, poultry are reared by traditional farmers d ue tothe relative minimum capital needed to start off, availability of feed and the fast period of the birds to grow. This research was conducted on turkeys which aims to study the abundance and prevalence of ectoparasites from three localities around Kedah, Malaysia. Atotal of 20 turkeys (eight males and twelve females) were examined for ectoparasites infestation and endoparasites infection.Six species of ectoparasites: five lice and a mite have been discovered. The most prevalent ectoparasite was Menopon gallinae with occurrence of 45%. Other external parasites recorded includeLipeurus caponis and Megninia cubitalis with occurrence of 40%, Menacanthus pallidulus (35%), Goniocotes gallinae (30%) and Chelopistes meleagridis (20%). There was a significant difference between the ectoparasite abundance in Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar and Alor Belat Barat [ANOVA, F(2,17)=6.33, p=0.009]. These lice commonly found in the fluff of the feathers, especially at the neck,abdomen, and wings. Lipeurus caponis was found to have the highest infestation in all male and female turkeys and Menacanthus pallidulus was noted as the less common ectoparasite infesting both the male andfemale turkeys. Endoparasite infection was recorded in two species of parasite eggs of nematodes and protozoa. Oocyst of Eimeria spp. recorded the highest faecal egg count with 7300 epg compared to Capillaria spp. with only 1200 epg. Scavenging and pecking behaviour of turkeys in barn area with unsuitable farm housing environmentwere the major contributing factors to the infestation of ectoparasites as well as endoparasites infection.

An investigation into ectoparasites of sheep and goats was carried out in Duhok province North West region of Iraq, during six months of a year, from January to June 2010. One thousand and two hundred forty eight (1248) sheep and 954 goats in 110 flocks from 80 villages were examined. Among them overall animals (66.89%) were infested with one or more species of ectoparasites. Of 720 (57.7%) and of 753 (78.9%) sheep and goats, respectively were infested. Five different types of ectoparasites, ticks (46.7%, 34.9%), lice (3.8%, 33.8%), mites (7.1%, 0.1%), fleas (2.8%, 7.75%) and ked (1.2%, 4.5%) were identified sheep and goats, respectively. Five species of hard ticks (Ixodidae) were identified in both sheep and goats, namely Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicun (48.37%, 13.5%), H. marginatum (18.01%, 8.1%), Rhipicephalus sanguineous (21.09%, 39.93%), R. turanicus (16.8%, 49.54%) and Haemaphysalis ssp. (2.5%, 0.9%). Two species of lice were infested each one of animal these namely, Damalinia Ovis (75%) and Linognathus stenopsis (33.3%) on sheep, and D. caprae (80.74%) and L.stenopsis (19.2%) on goats. Sheep were highly infested with two species of mites, Sarcoptes scabiei (25.84%) and Psoroptes Ovis (74.15%) than the goats, which one goat was found (0.1%) infested with S. scabiei. Three species of fleas were found infested both sheep and goats. Out of 106 collected fleas (47.2%, 43.4%, 9.4%) were Ctenocephalides felis felis, Pulex irritans and Xenopsylla cheopis, respectively. However, the only one species of Ked Melophagus ovinus were infested (1.2%) of sheep and (4.5%) of goats.

The study was conducted from September 2018 to April 2019, A total of 350chicken samples were examined from different areas of the Basrah province for thediagnosis of ectoparasites and 154 chickens were infected with ectoparasites. Fourspecies of lice were isolated, which were Menacanthus cornutus, Menacanthusstramineus, Menacanthus pallidulus, Menapon gallinae and one species of mitewhich was Dermanyssus gallinae. The experimental study was carried out toeliminate the ectoparasites where 24 chickens were purchased and placed in the fieldof the faculty of agriculture. The chickens were divided into 3 groups. First group wasthe control group and the second group was infected with ectoparasites and the thirdgroup was infected with ectoparasites which was sprayed with garlic extract at aconcentration of 10%. Ten days later, the blood parameters were measured for thethree groups where the blood parameters of the group treated with garlic extract wereclose to the blood parameters of the control groupand show significant different(P<0.05).INTRODUCTION

The current study was carried out to demonstrate the ability of chicken liceMenacanthus stramineus to transmit Toxoplasma gondii by using PCR technique. Theblood was collected from the jugular vein of 85 chickens infested with ectoparasitesto investigate the existence of Toxoplasma gondii by latex agglutination test. Theresults showed that 42 (49.41%) of chicken were infected with lice, lice samples ofMenacanthus stramineus were collected from chickens infected with T.gondii forPCR investigation to confirm the presence of T.gondii in lice tissues and the resultswere revealed the presence of T. gondii B1 genein 18(42.85 %) samples.

Stray dogs are carriers of several zoonotic diseases such as leishmaniasis and canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) as a result of poor nutrition, low hygienic conditions and lack of veterinary care. Thus, the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) conducted a survey to determine the parasite pathogens such as blood protozoans, gastrointestinal parasites and ectoparasites in stray dogs with the collaboration of the Kuala Lumpur City Council Pest Control Unit. Skin, organ, faecal and blood samples were analysed and results indicate that Babesia canis, Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis and microfilaria of Dirofilaria immittis are the common parasites species found in the blood and organ samples in 2014. The faecal floatation technique showed the presence ofhelminth ova such as Trichuris, Ancylostoma and Toxocara species. All skin samples were positive for Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. As strays are closely linked to human habitats such as market and housing areas, it is vital that stray population control is strategically implemented to safeguard these common zoonotic infections from spreading to humans.

A survey of 95 wild rats which were captured from various locations was conducted to determine the diversity and distribution of ectoparasites and endoparasites infesting wild rat population around the city of Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. The rodents captured were Rat tus norvegicus and post mortem was carried out immediately after capture, with skin and organs examined for parasite infection. Ectoparasites recovered were blood sucking louse (Polyplax spinulosa) and mites (Myocoptes musculinus). Endoparasites recovered were nematodes (Aspiculuris tetraptera, Trichuris sp., and two strongyles, one of which is Strongyloides sp.) And three intestinal protozoan parasites (Blastocystis sp., Trichomonas sp., and a coccidia). Low diversity of ecto- and endoparasites were observed infecting wild rat population caught in Ipoh as compared to Kuala Lumpur.

Ectoparasites can severely impact wildlife species, both through their feeding behaviour and by facilitating secondary infestations or bacterial infections. Here, we report on two cases of periorbital damage caused by ixodid tick infestations in cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), including a rare record of traumatic myiasis in wildlife. Both cheetahs were recently reintroduced to the Marromeu-Coutada Complex in Central Mozambique and had sustained relatively severe injuries. This ostensibly yielded them immunocompromised and thus more vulnerable to tick infestations, particularly when exposed to novel species. These incidents occurred during the peak hot-wet season in which adult tick abundance is likely highest. These cases provide novel insights into the risks of tick infestations for reintroduced cheetahs and the importance of intensive post-release monitoring to allow for timeous veterinary intervention. Contribution: This study falls within the scope of the journal. Ixodid ticks are of veterinary importance for wildlife and domestic animals across Africa because of the associated direct damage and potential spread of tick-borne pathogens. This study investigates two cases of tick infestations in cheetahs recently reintroduced into a tropical environment. The identified risk factors appear to be exposure to novel ectoparasites, injuries, and the hot-wet season. This highlights the need to consider ectoparasite risk when planning wildlife translocations.

The aim of this case presentation is to report ectoparasites detected in one red fox. The adaptation of red foxes to urban environments and their increasing number result in an increased risk of transmission of some ectoparasites and pathogens originating from ectoparasites to humans and domestic animals. In this study, one red fox (Vulpes vulpes) which was after a traffic accident was examined for ectoparasites in the Clinic of Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Veterinary. A total 14 flies, 13 ticks and 4 fleas were collected from the red fox. As a result of the microscopic examinations of ectoparasites, Hippobosca longipennis (9 ♀, 5 ♂), Rhipicephalus turanicus (8 ♀, 5 ♂), Ctenocephalides felis (1 ♀) and Pulex irritans (2 ♀, 1 ♂) were identified. With this study, Hippobosca longipennis was recorded from foxes for the first time in Turkey.

Sarcoptic mange is a pruritic, contagious, ectoparasitic skin disease that affects mammals, including the domestic dog. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime (NexGard Spectra) and afoxolaner alone (NexGard) as treatments for sarcoptic mange in naturally infested dogs. A total of 142 dogs naturally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei was evaluated. The dogs were diagnosed by microscopic examinations of skin scrapings. The dogs were divided into 2 groups: 96 dogs were treated with a combined dosage of 2.50 to 5.36 mg/kg body weight (BW) of afoxolaner and 0.50 to 1.07 mg/kg BW of milbemycin oxime and 46 dogs were treated with 2.50 mg/kg BW of afoxolaner alone. The presence or absence of pruritus and lesions were evaluated using an analogous scale on days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 56 after receiving the treatment. Data obtained were analyzed by Student's t-test (P ≤ 0.05). The single oral treatment of afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime resulted in a significant reduction in pruritus of 87.4% at 28 d after treatment (P ≤ 0.05). Resolution of the lesions after treatment was variable, with a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) observed within the first 14 d, although this parameter continued to improve until the end of the study on day 28, when a decrease of 96% was observed. By the end of the study, a single dose of either the afoxolaner alone or the afoxolaner combined with milbemycin oxime was effective in significantly reducing the signs associated with sarcoptic mange during a 56-day evaluation period.