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.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are obligatory hematophagous ectoparasites of a variety of vertebrate hosts and play an important role in the transmission and ecology of infectious pathogens causing diseases in humans and animals worldwide. Sixty-eight species of ticks exist in Brazil, and at least 23 are found parasitizing wild birds. This number is increasing with the advent of new studies highlighting the underestimated role of birds in the life cycle of these arthropods. In South America, many of these ticks are involved in epidemiology of the life-threatening spotted fever diseases caused by bacteria from the genus Rickettsia (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae). The aim of this paper is to present up-to-date knowledge about the bird-tick fauna of Brazil and their association with rickettsioses. The available literature concerning ticks on birds and tick-borne diseases related to these ticks in Brazil has been revised. It could be concluded that birds play a primary role in life cycles of various tick species, especially during immature stages (larvae and nymphs). The best known is a bird-tick fauna from the Atlantic Forest and from Brazilian savannah called Cerrado in southern and central Brazil, respectively. On the other hand, the knowledge about bird tick parasitism from other Brazilian biomes such as the Amazon, Caatinga, Pantanal and Pampas regions is very scarce and requires further study. Moreover, no studies about the role of birds as mobile hosts for spreading ticks to new areas exist, nor has their role in the natural life cycle of Rickettsia been thoroughly examined.

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.

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.

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.

Besides the yield loss of the pigeons those are infested with ectoparasites they are also susceptible against the other infections because of weakened immunity. Thus it has been evaluated the situation of ectoparasites of domestic pigeons and determined the prevalance in Antakya region. Materials and Totally 100 domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) which are fed for hobby in Antakya region were examined with respect of ectoparasites. The prevalance of ectoparasites of domestic pigeons has been determined and identified according to the literature.The prevalance of ectoparasites of domestic pigeons was determined as 52% and three different ectoparasites were detected. Columbicola columbae was the dominant species with a percentage of 45%, Argas reflexus and Pseudolynchia canariensis were also dedected with a percentage of 5% and 2%, respectively. Despite the higher percentage of infestation in female pigeons (54,5%) when compared with males (48,9%) and adults (56,9%) when compared with juveniles (42,9%) no significant difference was found statistically (p>0.05). But louse infestation of adult pigeons (58,3%) was significantly higher than the juvenile pigeons (28,5%) statistically (p<0.05).The yield and perfomance loss in domestic pigeons should not be ruled out. Therefore hygien of shelters and ventilation is crucially important. Ectoparasiter situation should be monitorized and gotten under controlled.

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.

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.

Wild rats are known as a major reservoir and intermediate host for several pathogenic microbial species. Thus, theVeterinary Research Institute (VRI) conducted a survey to determine the presence of parasitic pathogens in local rats, such as blood protozoans, gastrointestinal parasites, as well as ectoparasites such as mites and lice. The study was conducted with the collaboration of Kuala Lumpur City Council Pest Control Unit, whereby a total of 105 wild rats were trapped at two urban areas of Kuala Lumpur; namely PasarPudu and Chow Kit. Autopsy was done on the rats to acquire the skin, organ and blood samples..The skin scrapping was performed on skin samples to identify the common species of mites and lice, while the floatationtechnique was conducted on faecal samples to identify helminth eggs. Results showed thatspecies of Tritrichomonas, Strongyloides, Nippostrongylus, Blastocystis, Rodentolepis, Coccidia, Trichuris, Capillaria and Ascarid were found in the faeces while Trypanosoma sp.was found in the blood samples taken from the animals. Taeniataeniformis was obtained from liver samples while theectoparasites found on skin were identified as Radfordia,Polyplax,Linognathus and Hoploplurasp. Control and eradication of rodent pests is crucial in combating emerging and re-emerging diseases which may be zoonotic as rodents are reservoirs to various pathogens.

A study was conducted on 240 scavenging chickens randomly obtained from various districts from the state of Penang, Peninsular Malaysia. The chickens were closely examined for visible ectoparasites in the laboratory. The ectoparasites were collected using a blunt forceps and stored in universal bottles containing 70% ethanol. Ten species of ectoparasites were noted which consisted of five species of lice, two species of mites, two species of ticks and one species of chigger. The lice identifi ed were Menopon gallinae, Menacanthus pallidulus, Lipeurus caponis, Goniocotes gallinae and Goniodes dissimilis. These lice occurred in the fl uff of the feathers of the body especially the neck, back, abdomen and wings. The mites were Megninia sp. and Pterolichus sp. Examinations of the ears and combs revealed Haemaphysalis sp., the hard tick. Meanwhile, Ornithonyssus sp., the soft tick was found on feathers, whereas chigger, Leptotrombidium sp. was found attached to the skins. The study also revealed that M. gallinae was the most common ectoparasite with 76.7% occurrence, followed by Pterolichus sp. (69.6%), L. caponis (63.3%), M. pallidulus (41.7%), Leptotrombidium sp. (17.5%), G. gallinae (9.5%), Haemaphysalis sp. (6.7%), Megninia sp. (3.8%) and Ornithonyssus sp. (3.8%). The least common ectoparasite was G. dissimilis occurring in 2.1% of the chickens.