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.