Epidemiological Study on Brown Dog Tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus at Sadat District, Egypt

Abstract:

This work aimed to study the epidemiological status of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks in dogs at Sadat district, Mid-Delta, Egypt.  During the period elapsed in-between September- 2015 and August- 2016, a total of 380 dogs (190 stray dogs, 130 animal guard dogs and 60 household dogs) were examined for the presence of hard ticks. Results showed that; 89.4% (340/380) dogs were infected with one species of hard tick “R. sanguineus “. The most affected group was animal guard dogs (56.1%), followed by stray dogs (34.2%) and lastly, household dogs (10%). There was no significant variation between the dog breeds, or sex of dogs and the percent of infection (p>0.01), but an obvious significant difference was found between age and infection rate and site on the body and infection rate (p<0.01), the highest percent was in young ages less than 6 months, and external ear. Seasonal dynamics of R. sanguineus infection revealed that; it was more prevalent during summer 45% (63/140), than in spring 34% (55/162), in autumn 13% (5/43) and lowest prevalence was detected in winter 8% (3/35). The current study highlights the high prevalence of Rhipicephalus sanguineus infecting dogs in Egypt. Also, provide basic line information on such infection that might help to design a control program for this important canine hard tick. Further investigations on dog ectoparasites in Egypt are required.

Keywords: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Tick, Dog, Epidemiology, Egypt.

To cite this article:  Abdel Aziz, A.R., Abou Laila, M.R., Bazh, E.K.A., Sultan, K., 2017. Epidemiological Study on Brown Dog Tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus at Sadat District, Egypt. PSM Vet. Res., 2(1): 1-5.