Lice and mite infestations of cattle in Iceland
The aim of the present study was to survey lice and mite species infesting cattle in Iceland and to evaluate their prevalence on farms, prevalence and site preferences on the animals and correlation with dermatological symptoms. The survey included two separate investigations, a combing study including 50 calves and 50 dairy cows, and a study of skin samples including 27 bullocks and 28 dairy cows. The animals came from farms in Southwest Iceland. In the combing study five preselected areas on each animal were combed. Two lice species were found, the chewing louse Bovicola bovis and the sucking louse Solenopotes capillatus. Lice were found at 7 of 10 farms. B. bovis was found at 50% and S. capillatus at 40% of the farms and both species occurred at 20% of the farms. Lice were found on 40% of the calves and 4% of the cows. B. bovis was found on 28% of the calves and 2% of the cows. S. capillatus was detected on 16% of the calves and 2% of the cows. B. bovis was most prevalent on back and rump, less prevalent on the head, neck and tail and was not detected on the front leg. S. capillatus was most prevalent on the neck, then head and front leg, and was least prevalent on the posterior back and rump and on the tail. Minor dermatological signs were seen on two cows and three calves. In the study of skin samples, samples were taken from five preselected sites of the animals. In this study the hair follicle mite Demodex bovis was found in the skin of the neck of one bullock (1.8%). No macroscopic skin disorders were observed on the samples.
Prevalence of Bovine Demodicosisin Gondar Zuria District, Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia
A cross-sectional study was conducted commencing from September 2011 to April, 2012in Gondar Zuria District, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia to determine the effect and the prevalence of bovine demodicosis. A total of 206 cattle were examined and skin scrapings were used for samples. SPSS version 19 was used for chi-square test and P-values 0.05) even 2 though the highest prevalence was observed from those greater than 3 years old, 26 (18.43 %) while the lowest, 5 (10 %) in those 1 up to 3 years old cattle. However, there was a statistically insignificant variation detected between sexes (x =3.372; p >0.05) even if it was higher in female, 23 (17.82%) than male, 9 (11.68 %). 2 Likewise, there was statistically insignificant variation detected among the different sites of infestation (x =1.398; p >0.05). However, the highest prevalence were found on shoulder and neck, 14 (6.79 %), 6(2.91) 2 respectively while the lowest on the back and forelimb (0.48 %). Higher prevalence was observed on cattle taken from semi-intensive 12 (22.22%) than extensive 20 (13.15%) management systems. In conclusion the highest overall prevalence (15.5%) of Demodexbovis infestation was recorded. This indicates that despite many eff9.orts were tried to study infectious diseases prevalence in the study area, demodicosis has been given lesser attention to be treated as a separate health problem. Therefore, preventive measures should be undertaken rather than treating demodicosis.
Prevalence of botfly larvae and lice in studs of North Caucasus (Stawropol County, Russia).
From 14 to 17 April 1990 and from 12 to 21 May 1993 a total of 136 Caucasian (Donish, Karabakh, Kabardin, local halfbred) and 26 thoroughbred stud-horses were examined for ectoparasites in studs of Stawropol County, Russia. A total of 4054 botfly larvae were identified from 9700 faecal samples collected during a period of 3-4 days after oral treatment with Eqvalan (MSD), Strongid Plus (Pfizer) and Vermitan Plus (Sanofi-Chinoin). The species distribution was: Gasterophilus intestinalis 84.53%, G. nasalis 10.41%, G. haemorrhoidalis 3.62%, G. inermis 1.41%. Gasterophilus nasalis and G. inermis had not been recorded in the North Caucasian region previously. One hundred and fourteen (of the 136) halfbred and 26 thoroughbred horses were examined for ectoparasites, and all were found to be infested with biting lice (Werneckiella equi equi) and sucking lice (Haematopinus asini).