Ali Ibrahim Ali Al-Ezzy Et Al (2015) Biotechnology International 8 (1): 1-10
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Ali Ibrahim Ali Al-Ezzy et al (2015) Biotechnology International 8 (1): 1-10 ©Biotechnology Society www.bti.org.in ISSN 0974-1453 Research Article CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF MANGE INFESTATION IN SHEEP IN KHALIS CITY -DIYALA PROVINCE IN IRAQ Ali Ibrahim Ali Al-Ezzy1*, Ghassan H. Jameel2, Tareq Rifaaht Minnat3, Amjad A. Ahmed4, Barek T.Khudhair4 1*Department of pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Diyala University, Iraq. 2Department of Microbiology College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Diyala, Iraq. 3Department of Internal and Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Diyala University, Iraq. 4Department of Biology College of education of pure sciences, Diyala University, Iraq. Corresponding Author*: [email protected] ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of mange infestation in sheep be- side the effects of age, gender and time in different regions of Khalis city\Diyala Province in Iraq. Complete clinical investigation for all animals was applied. Direct microscopic examination of the skin scraping was applied. Microscopically examination of the skin scraping revealed that 133 out of 2600 sheep were infested with mites with an overall per- centage of infestation 7.942%. The prevalence of the infestation was highest in winter time, February reach (7.46%) and lowest in December (2.71%). In this study, three gene- ra of mites that parasitized sheep were recorded: Psoroptes ovis, Chorioptes ovis and Sar- coptes scabiei. The prevalence of the infestation was highest in sheep more than 6 months old (12.59%) and, lowest in sheep with age (2-3) years old (1.096%). The prevalence of mange mites in female was (5.311%) versus (2.63%) in males. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the rate of the infection according to sex of animals and the time of disease prevalence while significant differences (p<0.05) in the rate of the infection ac- cording to age of animals was observed. Infestation with Psoroptes ovis, Chorioptes ovis and Sarcoptes scabiei was not affected by gender and season. Small aged 6-12 months were more susceptible to infestation. Key words: mange mites, sheep, age, gender, Iraq. 1 Ali Ibrahim Ali Al-Ezzy et al (2015) Biotechnology International 8 (1): 1-10 INTRODUCTION reaction of the host's skin, which reacts pro- The most important parasitic mite spe- ducing exudations and skin thickening and cies of sheep are Psoroptes ovis that causes hardening (lichenification) with formation of psoroptic mange, also called sheep scab, papules scale and crusts (excoriations), Sarcoptes scabiei var. ovis that causes Sar- mostly with wool loss (Purwanta et al., coptic mange, also called scabies, Chori- 2014). The mites feed on the exudates and optes ovis that causes chorioptic mange, also secretions produced by the affected skin. called leg mite, foot scab, and the last is Large scabs may develop that spread to cov- Psorergates ovis, responsible for psorergatic er the entire body in 2 to 3 months if left un- mange, also called itch mite, especially in treated. Mites concentrate at the edge of the Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, North growing scabs (Bates, 2012). As all mite and south America (Tolossa, 2014). In most species, Psoroptes mites spend their whole cases mange causes no clinical symptoms life on the same host (AL-Kardi and Khud- and has little or no economic impact on hair, 2013). Transmission within a herd is sheep flocks. Some sheep mite species have mostly by physical contact. been eradicated in certain regions, Mites do not actively jump or crawl e.g. Psoroptes ovis in Australia, Canada from one host to another one, but are pas- New Zealand and the USA, Psorergates sively transmitted when animals come in ovis and Chorioptes ovis in the USA. close contact (AL-Kardi and Khudhair, Sheep mites are not vectors of other 2013). Nevertheless, psoroptic mites and pathogens, i.e. they do not transmit microbi- eggs can survive 2 to 3 weeks off the host al diseases as many other livestock parasites (e.g. in tags of fallen wool, on fence posts, do. Infestations with mites are technically etc.) by suitable conditions (maximum of 12 called acariosis or acariasis, both on animals weeks by cold weather). This means that and humans (Plant and Lewis, 2011). sheep can pick mites or eggs from their en- Adult Psoroptes mites are ~0.75 mm long, vironment, especially from those objects that i.e. they are usually only recognizable under affected sheep use for rubbing, e.g. fence the microscope (Bornstein and de-Verdier, posts. But there are no external vectors that 2010). As for all mites, development goes transmit the mites, e.g. insects, worms, rats, through various larval and nymphal stages. mites, birds, etc., as it happens with many A female mite lays 1 to 3 eggs a day, a total other parasites. Sheep scab is a serious and of about 50 to 100 eggs in her lifetime. very harmful sheep disease (Bates, 2012). Adult life lasts for about 50 days. The short- Lesions often affect the back, the flanks and est life-cycle duration from eggs to eggs of the shoulders. Infestations remain often un- the next generation is about 10 to 14 days noticed until wool loss becomes evident, (Bates, 2012). Psoroptes mites do not dig which mostly means that the whole flock is tunnels in the skin. In the past it was thought probably already infested. Affected animals that they pierce the skin of their hosts. To- suffer from intense itching (pruritus) and day it is believed that they do not pierce the react vigorously scratching, biting and rub- skin, but that the mite feces cause an allergic bing against objects, which causes injuries 2 Ali Ibrahim Ali Al-Ezzy et al (2015) Biotechnology International 8 (1): 1-10 that can be infected with secondary bacteria posit their eggs in tunnels, which hatch in 3 (Burgess, 2012). All this leads to weight loss to 5 days. The whole development through and wool loss, reduced milk production, and several larval and nymphal stages can be general weakness that makes the affected completed in less than 2 weeks (Tsioli, et animals more susceptible to other diseases. al., 2013). Adults live for 2 to 3 weeks. Off Left untreated it is often fatal, especially for the host the mites survive only a few days. lambs. The short life cycle allows quite Sarcoptic mange is also a winter pest in re- sudden outbreaks that can be devastating if gions with a cold season, for the same rea- left untreated. sons and with similar dynamics as previous- Diagnosis is based on the presence of ly mentioned for sheep scab. As soon as the symptoms, but has to be confirmed examin- animals go back to pasture in spring expo- ing skin scrapping of affected parts under sure to sun reduces the humidity in the hair the microscope for visualization of the coat, which slows down mite development, mites. Psoroptic mites are not infectious for and without crowding mire transmission is humans, dogs and cats (Burgess, 2012). Sar- significantly reduced (Amer, 2014). coptic mites of sheep are a species-specific If a herd is free of mites, contamina- strain of Sarcoptes scabiei, a mite species tion can only come from cattle brought in. that infests also cattle, pigs, other livestock Consequently, to avoid contamination all and also humans causing elevation of serum incoming animals must be treated against IgE (Ibrahim, AL-Ezzy et al., 2012). This mites, also those that went to the a fair or to means that it can be transmitted to humans the market and came back unsold: they may (Wells, 2012) . They are less abundant on have picked mites from other sheep (Amer, sheep than psoroptic mites. Sarcoptic mites 2014). Two injections with a macrocyclic are very small (0.3 to 0.5 mm) and can be lactone e.g. doramectin, ivermectin, mox- seen only under the microscope. As all mite idectin) with 7 to 10 days interval should do species, sarcoptic mange mites spend their the job, but keep the animals isolated until whole life on the same host. Mites do not 10 days after the second injection (Giadinis, actively jump or crawl from one host to 2014). Sheep may be infected with mites another one, but are passively transmitted without showing clinical signs. Topical when animals come in close physical contact sprays and pour-ons are not reliable for con- (Alasaad, 2011). However, sheep can pick trolling psoroptic mites (Foreyt, 2013). For mites from the immediate environment or the time being there are no vaccines that will fomites. There are no external vectors that protect sheep by making them immune to transmit the mites, e.g. insects, worms, the mites. There are no repellents, natural or birds, etc., as it happens with many other synthetic that will keep mites away from parasites (Currier, 2011). The mites dig tun- sheep. There are no biological control nels beneath the skin. Their saliva has potent means for controlling sheep mites (or any digestive enzymes that dissolve the skin tis- other mites of livestock and pets). Injectable sues. They feed on the resulting liquids. macrocyclic lactones are highly effective They do not suck blood. Adult females de- against psoroptic mites. A single doramec- 3 Ali Ibrahim Ali Al-Ezzy et al (2015) Biotechnology International 8 (1): 1-10 tin injection (300 mcg/ kg B.W), or ivermec- 2. Clinical examination tin or moxidectin injections (at 200 mcg/kg Evaluation of the general state of B.W) 7 days interval are enough to ensure the animals, temperature, pulse rate, respi- complete control (Rehbein, 2013). The ma- ratory rate, appetite and morbidity rates jor disadvantage is that they are substantially were recorded.