Ectoparasites can transmit pathogens, including bacteria such as Ehrlichia sp., which trigger infectious diseases in domestic animals. Little is known about the epidemiology of feline ehrlichiosis, although several studies have focused on elucidating the pathogenesis and transmission of this disease. This paper presents the first mutual infection by Ehrlichia sp. between a domestic cat and a Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.) tick removed from the animal. The cat and tick were tested by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect the dsb gene, and the analyzed sequences revealed samples 100% identical to E. canis. Based on this report, we discussed the importance of cats as E. canis reservoirs s and their position in the cycle of transmission between dogs and cats in Brazil.

Ear mite (Otodectes cynotis)is a very common cause of otitis externaand it is one of the clinically importantdiseases of cats and dogs. A study on earmite infestation was carried out on straycats around the vicinity of Kota Bharutown. This study was done to establish theincidence of positive infections by directsmear of skin scrapings from cats. A total of34 skin scraping and ear swab samples weretaken from stray cats around Kota Bharu,Kelantan. The study was conducted in fourlocations around the Kota Bharu district,namely; Pasar Pasir Tumbuh, Pasar MedanBuluh Kubu, Kampung Kraftangan andRural Transformation Centre in Tunjung.A total of 7 samples from RTC Tunjungarea were positive for these mites, observedunder the microscope. This area also hasa wet market where the stray cats live andas the environment is damp and dirty, it isthe perfect environment for the spread ofthe mites. This information is vital for thecontrol of stray animal populations whichindirectly affect human health.

A study was carried out to detect and identify the presence of coccidia oocysts in the faeces of village chicken from the district of Pasir Putih, Kelantan, West Malaysia. A total of 135 fecal samples were collected from 15 areas in the Pasir PutihDistrict. The faecal samples were examined by direct smear method (qualitative study). A pinch of the faeces was put onto the glassslide with 1-2 drops of normal saline and cover slip, which was then observed under the compound microscope to detect thecoccidia oocysts. The presence of coccidia oocyst was then identified by its size and shape. Results showed that ten out of 135 samples were positive for coccidia oocysts, and classified as Eimeria maxima and Eimeria mitis, both of which are from two locations at Kampung Chap Banir, Pasir Putih, Kelantan. The remaining 125 samples were observed to be negative. This may suggest that the chickens reared in the backyard (extensive)are less susceptible to the coccidia infection due to their environment with lower stocking density (mostly free ranging chicken), and no damp/wet litter as bedding which canfacilitate sporulation of the coccicia oocyst thereby spreading the infection. Further studies need to be done to elucididate other factors which may affect coccidial infections in free range chicken such as the availability of medications in feed or genetic hardiness and tolerance to field infections. The localvillage chicken industry is an up and coming facet of the poultry industry and needs concerted efforts to boost it.

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.

This report describes atypical chronic trypanosomosis in a three year male Spitz dog. Fever, lethargy and anorexia were the early presenting signs without any hemato-biochemical abnormality. Peripheral blood smear examination was non-diagnostic on three consecutive times. Trypanosma evansi was confirmed in the Leishman stained thin blood smears (moderate parasetemia) on fourth parasitological examination. Biochemical profile showed a remarkable elevation in total serum bilirubin (6.7 mg%) and activities of alanine amino transferase (ALT) (950 IU/L) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) (1050 IU/L) after a month. Anemia, leucopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia suggestive of bone marrow depression appeared by about 73 days of presentation of case. A rapid complete clinical recovery occurred within a week after treatment with quinapiramine sulphate and chloride combination @ 3.5mg/kg bwt. Hemoglobin, leucocyte and thrombocyte count improved within six days, however, liver enzyme activity normalized slowly over three months.

A study was conducted inthe Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex,College of Veterinary Animal Sciences,Mannuthy to evaluate the efficacy ofclindamycin as potential monotherapytreatment plan for Babesia gibsoni infectionin dogs during the period from January2013 to March 2014. Dogs of variousbreeds and age groups belonging to bothsexes diagnosed of having Babesia gibsoniinfection by blood smear examination andconfirmed by PCR were selected for thestudy. These animals were treated withclindamycin @ 11mg/kg bw IV q24hr for10 days and supported with haematinics.All animals showed clinical cure withimprovement in appetite and physicalactivity, increase in haematologicalparameters including platelet count andimprovement in serum chemistry values.

A total of 2803 bloodsamples from ruminant livestock werereceived for diagnosis for parasiticinfections from 2011 to 2015. Theruminant samples were from small holderand commercial farms from the states ofNegeri Sembilan, Melaka, Selangor andthe Federal Territory. The results indicatethe presence of theileriosis, anaplasmosis,babesiosis and trypanosomiasis in theseanimals. The most common parasiteidentified annually is theileriosis in cattle.This information is vital for disease controlstrategies as most blood protozoa causemorbidity and is transmitted by vectorssuch as ticks.

A study was conducted to identify the current status of Fasciolaand Paramphistomum infections in small ruminants in Terengganu. A total of 267 faecal samples from small ruminants were collected and subjected to sedimentation technique. Serum samples were diagnosed for detection of IgG antibody for Fasciola infection using sELISA method. Results showed that there were 4% of the goats positive with Paramphistomum eggs whereas Fasciola egg was not observed in any of the faecal samples. However, it was found that 89% of the serum samples from goats were positive with IgG antibody for Fasciola infection. Small ruminants in Terengganu were not infected with severe Fasciola and Paramphistomum infections yet the results obtained from this study will update the current status of the infections. This information will help the farmers and the Department of Veterinary Services to plan on management to maintain the animals’ health.

Most studies on Simulum damnosum in Nigeria has focused mainly on the problem of onchocerciasis from the ecological standpoint. However, this study is aimed at viewing it from the human angle, with focus placed on the ignorance of the rural dwellers about the influences of their environment on the increasing incidences of onchocerciasis in their population. The premise is that, as the government and the scientists are working towards finding a lasting solution to the epidemic, the rural dwellers need to wake up to the realities of their own destiny. They need to come out and collaborate with other good efforts to form a strong united force that will rid their society of this menace. A study on the level of ignorance was carried out. It is assumed that their ignorance has kept the villagers relatively inactive and passive about freeing themselves. A descriptive method was used for this research and about 450 villagers were randomly selected and verbally interviewed. A questionnaire was designed and used as the instrument of the research. The research was carried out in two different villages of Asejire and Asepari. Findings were encouraging. Some of the villagers did not know about the existence of the disease even when some of their close relatives showed the symptoms. This high level of ignorance shows that it will be difficult to attain any cooperation from them in any attempt to make their environment unfavourable for the vector.

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.