1.
Taxonomy And Control Of Flea Infestation In Cats At Lahore
by Umair Tariq (2008-VA-233) | Dr. Nisar Ahmad | Prof. Dr. Azhar Maqbool | Dr. Syed Saleem Ahmad.
Material type: ; Literary form:
not fiction
Publisher: 2015Dissertation note: INTRODUCTION
Fleas play an important role in causing clinical skin disorders and diseases transmission in man
and pets animals (Rust & Dryden, 1997). Fleas are one of the most important ectoparasites with
more than 2,000 species worldwide affecting mammals, birds, and reptiles (Hsu, 2003). In some
locations, fleas represent over 50% of all the dermatological cases presented to small animal
clinics. Most are limited to hosts with nests as this can provide conditions for the completion of
their life cycle (Linardi & de Avelar, 2014). While fleas on pets are generally considered a
nuisance that may cause some dermatologic problems, they are also responsible for the
transmission of several important diseases in humans and animals (Dryden & Rust, 1994). They
have been involved in transmission of cat scratch disease (Bartonella henselae) (Chomel et al.,
2006; Comer et al., 2001), Rickettsia typhi (Murine thyphus), Rickettsia felis (Finkelstein et al.,
2002; Rolain et al., 2005), and also serve as the intermediate host for the tapeworm Dipylidium
caninum (Rust & Dryden, 1997) and several trypanosomatids (Coutinho & Linardi, 2007).
The term ‘‘cat flea,’’ which is the approved common name for Ctenocephalides felis felis (C. f
felis), can occasionally cause confusion. When it appears in print, it refers to the specific flea
genus and species and not to fleas recovered from cats. There are four recognized subspecies of
C. felis throughout the world: Ctenocephalides felis damarensis and C. felis strongylus occur
primarily in East Africa, C felis orientis occurs in India and Australia, and the widespread C. f
felis occurs in all continents except Antarctica and is the only subspecies that occurs in North
America (Rust & Dryden, 1997). The cat flea, C. felis, is a clinically important parasite of
domestic pets, being responsible for the production of allergic dermatitis, serving as the vector of
Introduction
2
various bacterial pathogens, and being the intermediate host for filarid and cestode parasites.
Flea allergy dermatitis is the most common dermatologic disease of dogs and a major cause of
feline miliary dermatitis (Dryden & Rust, 1994; Rust & Dryden, 1997).
Clinical features vary from asymptomatic to severe hypersensitivity reactions with restlessness,
alopecia from scratching and biting resulting in a pruritic papular dermatitis. Vacuuming of
carpets, furniture cushions, rugs, or other substrata, with a vacuum machine containing a ‘‘beater
bar,’’ will remove many of the flea eggs and larvae. In addition, cocooned pupae at the upper
levels of the carpet can also be affected. The vibration also stimulates adult fleas to emerge from
their cocoons so that they can be collected in the vacuum machine. Therefore frequent
vacuuming, during a flea infestation, can reduce the overall flea burden in the home. It should be
ensured that vacuum bags are disposed of properly, to prevent recolonization of the home with
flea stages previously removed by vacuuming. Because outdoor development of immature flea
life stages is limited to shaded areas, altering outdoor environments to eliminate such habitats
can effectively reduce flea populations. Because urban wildlife, such as opossums, raccoons, and
foxes, are good hosts for cat fleas, pet owners should avoid encouraging visitations by wildlife,
which will affect flea and tick control (see later discussion). Treatment of indoor and outdoor
environments with insecticides requires knowledge of what to use and where to use it. For this
reason, it is suggested that pet owners consult with a licensed pest control specialist for such
applications (Angelbeck-Schulze et al., 2014; Perrins & Hendricks, 2007).
In line with increasing urbanization over the last few decades, flea species that infest pets have
become household pests. Thus, and for reasons of animal and human welfare, the control of fleas
is of great importance worldwide. Despite the increase in the number of products available and
Introduction
3
their use, flea infestation of cats and dogs is still widespread in Europe and on other continents,
whereas resistance of these insects against many chemicals has been detected (El-Gazzar et al.,
1986). Cat fleas are the most important ectoparasite of cats and dogs worldwide. During the past
ten years, topical and oral applications of insecticides such as fipronil, imidacloprid, lufenuron
and, most recently, selamectin have revolutionized cat-flea control. Recent studies show that
these therapies eliminate the need to treat indoor and outdoor environments, and their use
markedly reduces the severity and prevalence of flea allergic dermatitis. Surveys have yet to
reveal the development of insecticide resistance to these chemical compounds. Extending the
longevity of these effective host-targeted therapies should be a major goal of the veterinary
community (Rust, 2005). Availability: Items available for loan: UVAS Library [Call number: 2253-T] (1).
2.
Molecular Diagnosis Of Babesiosis In Cattle With Special Reference To Cardinal Signs In District Lahore, Punjab
by Shakeel Hussain (2007-VA-463) | Prof. Dr. Kamran Ashraf | Dr. Nisar Ahmad | Pro. Dr. Tahir Yaqub.
Material type: ; Literary form:
not fiction
Publisher: 2015Dissertation note: Tick infestation and the resulting transmission of serious pathogens in ruminants is one of the most important problems of the livestock industry in developing countries (Aktas et al. 2012).Bovine babesiosis is economically the most important tick-borne disease of cattle worldwide including areas of Australia, Africa, South and Central America. Babesia species are protozoan parasites that parasitize the erythrocytes of domestic animals and humans, causing Anemia in the host affected. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is more sensitive and specific technique, offers an alternative approach for the diagnosis of Babesiosis (Zulfiqar et al. 2012).
Geo-climatic condition of Punjab, Pakistan favours the multiplication and survival of ticks which play a major role in the biological transmission of Tick Born Diseases. In earlier reports the prevalence of cattle tick infestation was more than 50% from Punjab (Durrani et al. 2008, Sajid et al. 2009).
Keeping in views the importance of the disease, the present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Babesiosis in cattle of Lahore, District of the Punjab, Pakistan. A total of sixty (60) blood samples was collected randomly from dairy cattle of District Lahore. These samples were transported to the Laboratory of Parasitology, Department, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore and were kept at 4oc until further processing for Microscopic examination (Zakir et al. 2014) and then for PCR. We focused on the early detection of Babesiosis through Microscopic examination of Blood samples. For further confirmation of Babesiosis, the blood samples were processed through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as described by Zulfiqar et al. 2012.
The thick and thin smears of the blood samples were made on the new particularly labeled glass slides. The dried blood smears were fixed in absolute methyl alcohol for one
Summary
32
minute. Staining was performed using Giemsa Stain as method followed by Zakir et al. 2014 i.e. the glass slides bearing thick and thin blood smears were stained with one fourth of dilution of commercially available Giemsa stain for four minutes and were observed under oil immersion at 100X objective to detect the presence of Babesiosis.
All the blood samples were examined through Microscopy showing 04 positive ones, then all the samples were processed using PCR for final confirmation of Babesiosis in Cattle. PCR was performed under the conditions as previously described by Zulfiqar et al. 2012. PCR reaction was performed to obtain amplified products over 30 cycles by 94ºC for 5 min., 94ºC for 30 sec., 50ºC for 30 sec., 72ºC for 45 sec. and completed with a final extension step of 7 min. at 72ºC. Finally the amplified DNA fragments were analyzed after electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose gel.
Prevalence rate will be determined with the help of the following formula:
Prevalence rate = No. of positive samples / No of total samples x 100 Availability: Items available for loan: UVAS Library [Call number: 2404-T] (1).
