The larval stage of the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouche), was found to exhibit behaviors that were conducive to its security in carpet. Larvae exhibited positive geotactic, and negative phototactic behaviors. This resulted in the larvae spending greater than 80% of their time at the base of the carpet pile. Cat flea larvae also exhibited a positive hydrotaxis, and appeared to exhibit undirected movements when foraging. Larva were observed to respond to disturbances by coiling their body longitudinally. Cat flea hatched and unhatched eggs, and larval exuviae were found to be dispersed in a contagious fashion within carpet. The spatial pattern of the immature stages and remains was influenced by the habits of the pet host within a given room. First-instar larvae do not move far, if at all, from the location of eclosion. The movement of the larval stage is influenced by biotic and abiotic factors in the environment. Areas of high pedestrian or pet traffic are not conducive to successful eclosion from the egg or for successful larval development. Various methods of control exist for controlling an indoor infestation including both non-chemical and chemical tactics. A method for the physical control of immature stages in carpet is vacuuming. A beater-bar vacuum removes about 50% of the eggs but less than 30% of the larvae from a carpet. Chemical control tactics indoors are normally conducted using a compressed-air sprayer. Pressure within the application system is critical for creating spray patterns which can be overlapped to allow even insecticide coverage of the substrate. A compressed-air application system is not capable of delivering pesticides in a manner that will completely penetrate the carpet substrate to reach the base of the carpet. No significant differences in carpet penetration were observed over a range of 20 to 70 psi. Regardless of pressure, more than 93% of the solution applied to carpet was deposited in the upper third (6 mm) of the carpet. Pet owners were surveyed about their knowledge and perceptions of household infestations of the cat flea, and also about financial expenditures and their willingness to pay for a flea-free environment. The importance and the pest status of flea infestations were determined to be based on physical, psychological, and economic impacts on homeowners. Respondents' perceptions of infestations on their pet were associated with infestation levels in the house. The respondents were willing to pay more for flea control in July, the onset of the flea season, than they were at the peak or decline of the season. They were also willing to pay more as their perception of the intensity of the problem on the pet or in the home increased. Household income was not shown to affect a respondent's actual financial expenditures or his willingness to pay for flea control on the pet or in the home. / Ph. D.

Les puces sont des arthropodes hématophages obligatoires. L’importance des puces en santé publique humaine est surtout liée à leur capacité de transmission d’agents de maladies infectieuses. La présence de ces agents infectieux dans certaines régions et leur association avec différentes espèces de puces restent peu étudiées dans certains endroits du monde. Dans cette étude, nous avons analysé par outils épidémiologiques, microbiologiques et moléculaires, la présence de bactéries zoonotiques émergentes chez des puces collectées sur des animaux domestiques et sauvages en France, sur l’île de Tahiti, sur l’île de Bornéo, au Laos et en Algérie. Grâce à nos investigations, nous avons contribué à enrichir la carte de répartition des bactéries véhiculées par les puces.La deuxième partie de notre travail a été initié par la détection dans des puces de Bartonella quintana , alors que cette bactérie est connue pour être habituellement transmise par les poux de corps. Nous avons donc décidé d’étudier cette relation entre les puces et Bartonella quintana. Pour réaliser cette étude, nous avons mis en place un protocole d’élevage sur membrane artificielle de puces de l’espèce Ctenocephalides felis. Il s’agit du deuxième en Europe. Nous avons ensuite mis au point un système de confinement pour les puces infectées. Enfin, nous avons développé un modèle expérimental d’infection des puces par B. quintana. Les résultats préliminaires démontrent un pouvoir d’acquisition de cette bactérie par les puces C. felis et son élimination dans les fèces, qui sont en général la source de contamination des humains par les bartonella. / Fleas are found worldwide on mammals and birds, and are vectors of several zoonoses of public health importance. Consequently, flea-borne infections are emerging or reemerged throughout the world, and their incidence is on the rise. Yet their occurrence in some regions and their association with different flea species remain poorly studied in several countries in the world. We analyzed by epidemiological, microbiological and molecular tools the emerging zoonotic bacteria in fleas collected from wild and domestic animals in France, Tahiti Island, Borneo Island, Laos and Algeria. Through our investigations, we have helped to enrich the map of distribution of bacteria carried by fleas.Although the body louse is considered the main vector of B. quintana, the recent reports of the presence of B. quintana DNA in cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and in human fleas (Pulex irritans) were reported. To evaluate the relationship between the fleas and B. quintana, including studies of maintenance and transmissions of B. quintana, require the use of large numbers of live laboratory-raised fleas. A protocol of maintenance and containment of laboratory un-infected and infected fleas were established. Subsequently, we developed an experimental model of infection fleas by B. quintana that is in progress. The preliminary results show a power of acquisition of this bacterium by C. felis fleas.

Submitted by Celso Magalhaes (celsomagalhaes@ufrrj.br) on 2017-10-31T16:02:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Tiago Abrah?o Pereira Nunes.pdf: 1105331 bytes, checksum: 0181da3c6f09beb15f83949f7e054ee8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-31T16:02:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Tiago Abrah?o Pereira Nunes.pdf: 1105331 bytes, checksum: 0181da3c6f09beb15f83949f7e054ee8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-26 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of epidermal dehydration on the parasiticide effective of fipronil 10% ?spot on? in dogs artificially infested with Ctenocephalides felis felis. For this, 24 Beagles were used, divided into four groups of six dogs each. The dogs on the control groups were not treated, while the dogs on the treated group I e II and III were treated with the formulation of 10% fipronil ??spot on??. The dogs on treated group I were submitted to weekly baths with neutral glycerin soap. The dogs on treated group II were submitted to 21 consecutive and daily baths with benzoyl peroxide 2,5% shampoo. Dogs treated group III were submitted to the same baths made in treated group II, however, undergo biweekly applications of lipid formulation (containing ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids), until the end of the study. The dogs in the control group, treated group I, treated group II and treated group III were infested with 50 pairs of C. felis felis. Infestations were performed on days -2, +5, +12, +19, +26, +33, +40, +47, +54 and, on days +2, +7, +14, +21, +28, +35, +42, +49 and +56, fleas were mechanical removed and counted for evaluation. Pulicide efficacy for treated group I on days +2, +7, +14, +21, +28, +35, +42, +49 and +56, were respectively 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 76.25% and 72,47%. The pulicide efficacy for the treated group II, evaluated on the same days, were respectively 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 97.35%; 92.86%; 82.85% and 71.21%. The pulicide efficacy for the treated group III, evaluated on the same days, were respectively 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 99.49%; 28.23% and 27.53%. The comparative statistical analysis between the averages of live fleas, between the control and treated groups I and between the control group and treated II showed that there was a significant difference (p?0,05) for the challenges in all experimental days, after treatment. In the comparison between the control group and treated III, showed a significant difference (p?0,05) for the challenges until day 42. No more having significant difference (p?0,05) in the experimental day +49 and +56. Statistical analysis between the treated groups I and II and treated II and III showed that there was no significant difference (p?0,05) for the challenges in all experimental days. The analysis of the treaty I and III, determined that there was no significant difference (p?0,05) until day 49, a significant difference (p?0,05) on day +56. Fipronil was effective in eliminating fleas on dogs until the day + 56 with no more residual protective effect when the animals were reinfested. The induced of epidermal dehydration, does not determined changes on the efficacy or decreased the residual effect of fipronil when used in dogs subjected to exposure of populations of C. felis felis,, through weekly infestations. This fact was confirmed since the lipid formulation of applications, were not able, in turn, to determine more effective and prolonged residual effect of fipronil when used in dogs undergoing exposure populations of C. felis felis on weekly infestation. / O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influ?ncia da desidrata??o epid?rmica sobre a efic?cia pulguicida do fipronil empregado por via t?pica em c?es. Foram utilizados 24 c?es da ra?a Beagle, compondo seis animais por grupo. Os c?es foram divididos em quatro grupos. Os c?es do grupo controle n?o receberam tratamento, enquanto que os c?es dos grupos tratados I, II e III receberam tratamento com formula??o de fipronil 10% ??spot on??. Os c?es do grupo tratado I foram submetidos a banhos semanais com sabonete de glicerina neutro. Os c?es do grupo tratado II foram submetidos a 21 dias de banhos consecutivos e di?rios com shampoo contendo per?xido de benzo?la 2,5%. Os c?es do grupo tratado III foram submetidos ao mesmo regime de banhos do grupo tratado II, por?m, nesses c?es, somou-se aos banhos, aplica??es quinzenais de formula??o lip?dica (contendo ceramidas, colesterol e ?cidos graxos), at? o t?rmino do estudo. Os c?es dos grupos controle, tratado I, tratado II e tratado III foram infestados com 50 casais de C. felis felis. As infesta??es foram realizadas nos dias, -2, +5, +12, +19, +26, +33, +40, +47 e +54 e, nos dias +2, +7, +14, +21, +28, +35, +42, +49 e +56, realizou-se a retirada mec?nica e contagem de pulgas para avalia??o. As efic?cias pulguicidas, para o grupo tratado I, nos dias +2, +7, +14, +21, +28, +35, +42, +49 e +56, foram, respectivamente: 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%, 100%; 76,25% e 72,47%. As efic?cias pulguicidas, para o grupo tratado II, avaliadas nos mesmos dias, foram respectivamente: 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 97,35%; 92,86%; 82,85% e 71,21%. As efic?cias pulguicidas para o grupo tratado III, avaliadas nos mesmos dias, foram respectivamente: 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 100%; 99,49% e 28,23% e 27,53%. A an?lise estat?stica comparativa entre as m?dias de pulgas vivas, entre os grupos controle e tratado I e entre o grupo controle e tratado II, demonstrou que ocorreu diferen?a significativa (p?0,05) para os desafios em todos os dias experimentais, ap?s o tratamento. J? na compara??o entre o grupo controle e tratado III, evidenciou-se diferen?a significativa (p?0,05) para os desafios at? o dia +42. N?o mais havendo diferen?a significativa (p?0,05) no dia experimental +49 e +56. A an?lise estat?stica entre os grupos tratados I e II e tratado II e III demonstrou que n?o ocorreu diferen?a significativa (p?0,05) para os desafios em todos os dias experimentais. J? a an?lise entre o tratado I e III, determinou que n?o houve diferen?a significativa (p?0,05) at? o dia +49, havendo diferen?a significativa (p?0,05) no dia +56. O estudo foi encerrado no dia +56 j? que a efic?cia do fipronil nos grupos tratados I, II e III n?o apresentou mais efeito residual de prote??o quando os animais foram reinfestados. A desidrata??o epid?rmica induzida n?o determinou altera??o na efic?cia ou diminui??o do efeito residual do fipronil quando empregados em c?es submetidos ? exposi??o de popula??es de C. felis felis,, atrav?s de infesta??es semanais. Fato esse corroborado uma vez que, as aplica??es de formula??o lip?dica, n?o foram capazes, por sua vez, de determinar maior efic?cia ou prolongamento do efeito residual do fipronil quando empregados em c?es submetidos ? exposi??o de popula??es de C. felis felis., atrav?s de infesta??es semanais

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2018-04-24T20:39:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014 - Maria Clara da Silva Negreiros Botelho.pdf: 2378053 bytes, checksum: bfc9cb9e12f70927d727da1fba44c017 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-24T20:39:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014 - Maria Clara da Silva Negreiros Botelho.pdf: 2378053 bytes, checksum: bfc9cb9e12f70927d727da1fba44c017 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-26 / CNPq / FAPUR (UFRRJ) / The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a collar impregnated with deltamethrin and propoxur to control infestations R. sanguineus and Ctenocephalides felis felis in beagle dogs and to evaluate the safety of treatment by clinical, haematological and biochemical tests, and to assess the dosage of serum cholinesterase in dogs after the treatment with a carbamate. Twenty beagles dogs were selected, divided into two groups: control and treated with a collar containing a combination of deltamethrin 4g and propoxur 12g. Each animal was infested with 50 R. sanguineus ticks (25 males and 25 females) and 100 C. felis felis fleas adults (50 males and 50 females). For the assessment of efficacy, 48 hours after each infestation, the mechanical removal of the parasites was performed. Each animal was infested with fleas and ticks on days -7 (before treatment), -2, +5, +12, +19 and +26. After day 26, every 14 days infestations were performed until the day +208. After this experimental day, the animals were infested with fleas only every 7 days until the termination of the study on day +271. For haematological and biochemical evaluations, blood samples were collected from animals in both groups every seven days until day +14. This experimental day up to +266, samples were collected every 14 days. After removal of the collars (day 274), three collections were made on days: +275, +281 and +288 , to assess the possible occurrence of changes in serum levels of serum enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The acaricides effectiveness of the test product was 100 % on days +7, +21 and +28. The efficacy values were above 90% until day 126. As from day +182, the efficacy reached values lower than 80%. Only after day +168, levels declined below 80%. Pulicide efficiencies of the test product was 100 % on days +21, +28, +42, +56, +98 and +112. The efficacy values were above 90% until day +266, reducing 89.48% on day 273. The animals showed no changes in clinical and laboratory examinations that could be associated with adverse effects from the use of the product tested. It is concluded that a collar containing a combination of deltamethrin 4g and propoxur 12g was effective in controlling R. sanguineus ticks for up to 126 days and control C. felis felis fleas for up to 266 days in addition to proving to be safe for use in dogs. The animals showed no clinical and laboratory changes that could be associated with adverse effects from the use of the product tested, thus demonstrating that the association deltamethrin and propoxur in an impregnated collar is safe for use in dogs. / O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a efic?cia de uma coleira impregnada com deltametrina e propoxur no controle de infesta??es por Rhipicephalus sanguineus e Ctenocephalides felis felis em c?es da ra?a beagle e avaliar a seguran?a cl?nica do tratamento atrav?s de exames cl?nicos, hematol?gicos e bioqu?micos, al?m de avaliar a dosagem da colinesterase s?rica em c?es submetidos ao tratamento com um carbamato. Para isso, foram selecionados 20 animais da ra?a beagle em bom estado sanit?rio, distribu?dos em dois grupos: controle e tratado com uma coleira impregnada com 4g de deltametrina e 12g de propoxur. Cada animal foi infestado com 50 carrapatos R. sanguineus (25 machos e 25 f?meas) e 100 pulgas C. felis felis adultas (50 machos e 50 f?meas). Para a avalia??o da efic?cia, 48 horas ap?s cada infesta??o, foi realizada a remo??o mec?nica dos parasitos. Cada animal foi infestado com pulgas e carrapatos nos dias -7 (antes do tratamento), -2, +5, +12, +19 e +26. Ap?s o dia +26 foram realizadas infesta??es a cada 14 dias at? o dia +208. Ap?s este dia experimental, os animais foram infestados somente com pulgas a cada sete dias, at? o encerramento do estudo, no dia +271. Para avalia??o hematol?gica e bioqu?mica, amostras de sangue foram coletadas dos animais de ambos os grupos a cada sete dias at? o dia +14. Deste dia experimental at? o dia + 266, as coletas foram realizadas a cada 14 dias. Ap?s a retirada das coleiras (dia +274), foram realizadas mais tr?s coletas nos dias +275, +281 e +288, para avaliar a poss?vel ocorr?ncia de altera??es nos n?veis s?ricos da enzima butirilcolinesterase s?rica (BChE). A efic?cia carrapaticida do produto em teste foi de 100% nos dias +7, +21 e +28. Os valores de efic?cia foram superiores a 90% at? o dia+126. Apenas a partir do dia +182, a efic?cia atingiu valores inferiores a 80%. Apenas ap?s o dia +168 os n?veis declinaram abaixo dos 80%. A efic?cia pulicida do produto em teste foi de 100% nos dias +21, +28, +42, +56, +98 e +112. Os valores de efic?cia foram superiores a 90% at? o dia+266, reduzindo a 89,48% no dia +273. Os animais n?o apresentaram altera??es em exame cl?nico e laboratoriais que pudessem ser associados a efeitos adversos provenientes do uso do produto testado. Conclui-se que a coleira impregnada com 4g de deltametrina e 12g de propoxur foi eficaz no controle de carrapatos R. sanguineus por at? 126 dias e no controle de pulgas C. felis felis por at? 266 dias. Os animais n?o apresentaram altera??es cl?nicas e laboratoriais que pudessem ser associadas a efeitos adversos provenientes do uso do produto testado, demonstrando assim que a associa??o deltametrina e o propoxur em uma coleira impregnada ? segura para uso em c?es.

Ce travail s’articule sur trois axes ; le premier est une contribution à l'étude du répertoire des bactéries associées aux arthropodes vecteurs (tique et puces) en Afrique du nord (Algérie) et en Afrique Sub-saharienne (Bénin, Tanzanie et République Démocratique du Congo). Nous avons pu ainsi détecter par biologie moléculaire (qPCRs, PCR standard et séquençage) et pour la première fois au Bénin, Rickettsia typhi (l'agent du typhus murin), et Bartonella sp dans des puces collectées sur des rongeurs à Cotonou. Dans ce travail, nous avons également détecté Yersinia pestis, l'agent de la peste et R. felis (responsable de la fièvre boutonneuse) dans des puces de la RD du Congo. En Tanzanie, nous avons mis en évidence la présence de R. felis et R. typhi dans des puces de rongeurs. En Algérie, nous avons décrit pour la première fois la présence d'agent de borréliose de Lyme (Borrelia garinii) dans les tiques. Nous avons confirmé la présence de R. massiliae, R. monacensis R. aeschlimannii, R. slovaca et R. felis et nous avons également détecté pour la première fois en Algérie, Bartonella tamiae, une bactérie dont la pathogénicité est peu connue et Coxiella burnetii, l'agent de la fièvre Q.Dans la deuxième partie de notre travail, nous nous sommes intéressés à l’évaluation des compétences vectorielles des puces de chat (Ctenocephalides felis) et punaises de lit (Cimex lectularius) dans la transmission de l’agent de la fièvre des tranchées (Bartonella quintana) dont le vecteur connu est le pou de corps. Trois approches ont été utilisées : la qPCR, la culture et l’immunohistochimie. / This work focuses on three areas; the first is a contribution to the study of the repertoire of bacteria associated with arthropod vectors (tick and flea) in North Africa (Algeria) and in Sub-Saharan Africa (Benin, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo). We could thus detected by molecular tools (qPCRs, standard PCR and sequencing) and for the first time in Benin, Rickettsia typhi (the agent of murine typhus) and Bartonella sp in fleas collected from rodents in Cotonou. In this work, we have also associated the agent of plague (Yersinia pestis), and for the first time in fleas of DR of Congo, and we detected also R. felis (the causative agent of spotted fever). In Tanzania, we have highlighted the presence of R. typhi and R. felis fleas on rodents. In Algeria, we described for the first time the presence of Lyme disease agent (Borrelia garinii) in hard ticks. We confirmed the presence of R. massiliae, R. monacensis, R. aeschlimannii, R. slovaca and R. felis, we also detected for the first time Bartonella tamiae and Coxiella burnetii associated with bat ticks in Algeria.Regarding the second part we was interested in the evaluation of vector competence of cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) in the transmission of trench fever agent (Bartonella quintana) that is known to be transmitted by lice. Three approaches have been tested; qPCR, culture and immunohistochemistry.

Vertebrate males frequently carry higher numbers of parasites than females. This bias in parasite loads could be a consequence of sexual selection. Grouping species are also assumed to be afflicted with larger numbers of parasites than solitary animals and associated costs of this parasitism could vary with group size or structure. I examined sex-biased parasitism and the influence of group size on parasite loads in Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris), a highly social species that occurs in the arid regions of southern Africa. Males carried three times as many ectoparasites as females, but females harbored nearly three times more endoparasites than males. Amount of time spent (per hour) autogrooming was similar between males and females, but amount time spent allogrooming by adult female was over eleven times that of adult males. Longer allogrooming of group members could be decreasing the numbers of ectoparasites of group members and ultimately the group. Males infrequently give or receive allogrooming and travel in very large home ranges, potentially increasing their exposure to ectoparasites. However, movement throughout a large home range may result in males foraging in areas with lower densities of fecal pellets, which could explain the lower endoparasite loads observed in males. When I considered the age class of group members, female age classes were similarly parasitized but male age classes were not. Sub-adult males carried similar ectoparasite loads to adult males and similar endoparasite loads to adult females. This result is of particular interest because sub-adult males are becoming scrotal but typically remain in the group until adulthood. Sexual selection does appear to influence parasite loads in this species, and parasite removal or avoidance potentially mitigates individual parasite loads and their associated costs. Parasites can be detrimental to the health, longevity, and reproduction of their hosts, but these costs are rarely quantified. I removed ectoparasites and endoparasites from Cape ground squirrels for three months and evaluated changes in female body mass, reproduction, burrow use, and grooming in response to parasite removal. Female body mass did not increase with parasite removal, but reproductive success (per capita offspring raised to emergence) increased nearly four-fold, while allogrooming by treated females decreased. Since breeding is highest in the late winter dry season when fewer resources are available, the impact of parasites may be highest during this season. Lactation and gestation are the most physiological stressful processes that females undergo, and the dramatic increase in reproductive success in treated females suggests that these females are able to allocate more resources to reproduction than females afflicted with parasites. These results suggest that studies investigating reproduction and fecundity must consider the vulnerability of the host to parasite infection and the potential impact on reproductive success.

No description available.

Les arthropodes vecteurs sont hématophages et peuvent assurer la transmission biologique active d'un agent pathogène responsable de maladies humaines ou animales. La lutte anti-vectorielle et la surveillance épidémiologique des vecteurs sont essentielles dans la stratégie de lutte contre les maladies vectorielles. Disposer d'outils d'identification précis, fiable et rapides des vecteurs et des pathogènes associés est indispensable. Ainsi dans ce projet nous avons évalué l'utilisation du MALDI-TOF MS pour identifier les arthropodes vecteurs ainsi que la détection des pathogènes associés. La première partie de notre travail consistait à utiliser MALDI TOF pour identifier les tiques, moustiques et les puces. Nous avons déterminé quelle partie du spécimen permettait d'obtenir une reproductibilité des spectres et une identification correcte par des tests à l'aveugle après création d'une base de données de référence. La deuxième partie consistait à utiliser le MALDI-TOF MS pour détecter des Rcikettsies associés aux tiques dont Rickettsia conorii et R. slovaca, deux pathogènes humains transmis respectivement par Rhipicephalus sanguineus et Dermacentor marginatus. Des variations spectrales étaient obtenues entre les spécimens infectés et non infectés, avec des masses spécifiques liés à l'infection des tiques par les rickettsies. La technique d'identification était validée par des tests à l'aveugle. Les résultats obtenus permettent de conclure que le MALDI TOF pourra être utilisé dans l'avenir pour identifier les tiques prélevées chez des patients, les arthropodes vecteurs lors des enquêtes entomologiques et préciser la prévalence d'infection de ces arthropodes. / Arthropods are vectors bloodsucking and can ensure the active biological transmission of a pathogen responsible of human or veterinary diseases. The vector control and vectors epidemiological surveillance are essential in the strategy against the vectors-borne diseases. Accurate, reliable and rapid identification of vectors and associated pathogens are essential. Thus, in this project we evaluated the use of MALDI-TOF MS for the arthropods vectors identification as well as for the detection of associated pathogens. This proteomics technology emerged since few years ago and is currently used in routine for bacteria identification in many microbiology laboratories. In the first part of our work, we used the MALDI TOF to identify the tick, mosquito and flea species. For each arthropod, we determined which part allowed obtaining reproducible spectra by MALDI TOF and correct identification by blind test, after reference database creation. The second part consisted to use the MALDI-TOF MS to detect the associated Rickettsia in ticks including Rickettsia conorii and R. slovaca, two human pathogens transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus and respectively Dermacentors marginatus. The spectral variations were obtained between infected and non infected specimens with specific masses related to the tick infection by Rickettsia. The identification technique of not or infected ticks was validated by blind tests. The obtained results allowed concluding that the MALDI-TOF MS could be used in the future to identify the ticks removed from patient, the arthropods vectors and during entomological survey and determine the prevalence of infection of these arthropods.

Fleas are one of the major external parasites affecting free range chickens, causing irritation, tissue damage, blood loss and toxicosis which in turn affect quality and quantity of meat and egg production. There are many commercial insecticides available that are effective against fleas. These commercial insecticides have, however become expensive to most resourcelimited farmers and therefore unaffordable, causing farmers to seek low cost alternatives. This study was conducted to document, determine the existence of external parasites in freerange chickens and validate the alternative remedies used in controlling free-range chicken fleas by resource-limited farmers. A questionnaire survey was used to collect data on external parasites of free-range chickens and ethno-veterinary control remedies used by resourcelimited farmers to control these parasites at Amatola basin, in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Resource-limited farmers perceived that mites (79.6%), fleas (64.5%), lice (10.8%) and ticks (6.5%) were problematic parasites of chickens. To control these parasites, resource-limited farmers commonly use ash (28%) madubula (13% carbolic acid) (26.7%), Jeyes fluid (13% carbolic acid) (10%), paraffin (8.4%), used engine oil (2.8%), plants Tagetes minuta, Clutia pulchella, Calpurnia aurea (5.2%) and a few (4.2%) used commercial drugs Karbadust (Carbarly 5%) and mercaptothion 5%. About 7.5% of the respondents used neither of the remedies. To confirm the farmers’ perception on problematic external parasites of free-range chickens a diagnostic survey was conducted. Fifty free-range chickens were randomly selected and examined for external parasites. About 96% of the free-range chickens examined harboured at least one species of external parasites. Fleas (Echidnophaga gallinacea) (50.7%) were the most prevalent followed by lice, Menopon gallinae (12.4%); Menacanthus stramineus (5.3%) and Knemidocoptes mutans (0.57%). Given that Jeyes fluid, used engine oil, paraffin, C. aurea, C. pulchella and T. minuta were mainly used in controlling these parasites, it was important to determine the potential dermal irritant effects of these plants. A dermal irritant effect test was, therefore, conducted using a rat model. Forty eight rats, with parts of the backs shaven, were used to screen the materials for irritation. All the materials tested did not cause any visible skin irritation on rats (p>0.05). Regarding that ethnoveterinary materials were non irritant on rat skin in vitro repellency and contact bio-assay models were used to assess the insecticidal properties of Tagetes minuta, Calpurnia aurea, Clutia pulchella, used engine oil, paraffin and Jeyes fluid on fleas. For the in vitro bioassay T. minuta and Jeyes fluid at 100% concentration demonstrated a repellency level of 76 and 83%, respectively. Tagetes minuta was the most effective among plant materials (p<0.05). Clutia pulchella, C. aurea, used engine oil and paraffin showed insignificant repellency (p>0.05). For the contact bio-assay, C. pulchella, C. aurea and T. minuta at a concentration of 100% resulted in flea mortality of 83.5, 73.3 and 42.5%, respectively. The efficacy of Clutia pulchella compared well with that of Karbadust which had a mean mortality of 97.5%. Paraffin, used engine oil, and Jeyes fluid (19.2%) caused higher flea mortality of more than 82%. In the in vivo study 60 free-range chickens were artificially infested with fleas and test materials were topically applied on infested sites. Test materials exhibited varying flea load reduction efficacy. Used engine oil and Jeyes fluid at 76.8% concentration had a reduction efficacy of 100 and 96% after 3 days post application of test materials. These were not significantly different to that of the positive control Kabadust (carbaryl 5%). The plants C. pulchella and C aurea at 100% concentration had an efficacy of 92 and 77%, respectively. The commonly used remedies by resource-limited farmers to control fleas vary in efficacy. Some of the materials are as effective as the commercial insecticides hence they have a potential to be exploited as insecticides. Further investigations on plant compounds with insecticidal properties and their toxicity, need to be conducted before the plants are recommended for use.