Ectoparasitic infestations of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Urmia city, Iran: First report
Journal Title: Veterinary Research Forum - Year 2013, Vol 4, Issue 3
Abstract
Hedgehogs are small, nocturnal mammals that become popular in the world and have significant role in transmission of zoonotic agents. Some of the agents are transmitted by ticks and fleas such as rickettsial agents. For these reason, a survey on ectoparasites in European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) carried out between April 2006 and December 2007 from different parts of Urmia city, west Azerbaijan, Iran. After being euthanized external surface of body of animals was precisely considered for ectoparasites, and arthropods were collected and stored in 70% ethanol solution. Out of 34 hedgehogs 23 hedgehogs (67.70%) were infested with ticks (Rhipicephalus turanicus). Fleas of the species Archaeopsylla erinacei were found on 19 hedgehogs of 34 hedgehogs (55.90%). There was no significant differences between sex of ticks (p > 0.05) but found in fleas (p < 0.05). The prevalence of infestation in sexes and the body condition of hedgehogs (small, medium and large) with ticks and fleas did not show significant differences (p > 0.05). Highest occurrence of infestation in both tick and flea was in June. Among three seasons of hedgehog collection significant differences was observed (p < 0.05). The result of our survey revealed that infestation rate in hedgehog was high. According to zoonotic importance of this ectoparasite and ability to transmission of some pathogens, more studies are needed to investigate hedgehog parasites in different parts of Iran.
Authors and Affiliations
Tahmineh Gorgani-Firouzjaee, Behzad Pour-Reza, Soraya Naem, Mousa Tavassoli
Luteal activity of Abadeh ecotype does in summer and winter and the effect of kisspeptin-10 on luteinizing hormone secretion in the anestrus does
The aims of the present study were to evaluate luteal activity in Abadeh ecotype goat during summer and winter and also the effect of a single dose kisspeptin-10 injection on the secretion of luteinizing hormone (L...
Detection of tetracycline resistance genes in bacteria isolated from fish farms using polymerase chain reaction
Five common tetracycline resistance genes tet(A), tet(B), tet(M), tet(O) and tet(S) were studied by polymerase chain reaction in 100 bacteria isolated from Iranian fish farms. In the antibiogram test most of the bacteria...
Designing and evaluation of Dot-ELISA for diagnosis of Fasciola infection in cattle
Fasciolosis is a disease caused by liver fluck of the genus of Fasciola. Diagnosis of fasciolosis has been challenging for a long period due to low sensitivity of the coprological diagnostic method. In this study, an in-...
Molecular detection of infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease viruses in broiler chickens with respiratory signs using Duplex RT-PCR
Infectious bronchitis (IB) and Newcastle disease (ND) are highly contagious and the most economically important diseases of the poultry affecting respiratory tract and causing economic losses in poultry industry througho...
Serum concentrations of thyroid hormones, cholesterol and triglyceride, and their correlations together in clinically healthy camels (Camelus dromedarius): Effects of season, sex and age
To evaluate the effects of season, sex and age on serum concentrations of thyroid hormones, cholesterol and triglyceride, and their correlations together in dromedarian camels, these parameters were measured in 180 clini...