Objective:To identify the presence of acarine ectoparasites and determine whether there is any potential public health risk in Panti Forest Reserve,Johore,Malaysia.Methods:Trapping of animals and avifauna was conducte...Objective:To identify the presence of acarine ectoparasites and determine whether there is any potential public health risk in Panti Forest Reserve,Johore,Malaysia.Methods:Trapping of animals and avifauna was conducted simultaneously along 5 expedition trails using 150 wire traps,10 harp traps and 30 mist nets for 6 consecutive nights.A total of 140 animals consisting of 7 species of birds,19 species of bats,6 species of rodents and 1 species of tree-shrew as well as 8 myriapods were examined.Results:Infestation rates of ticks,mesostigmatid mites and chiggers on animals examined were 24.3%,28.6%and 27.9%,respectively.Infestation on bats was low(1.5%) and none occurred on birds.Majority of ticks extracted were at immature stages(78.9%). Genera of ticks on animals were Amblyomma,Dermacentor,Haemaphysalis and Ixodes.Ixodes granulatus was the only species of licks identified from the animals.Examination of ticks under vegetation revealed 54%adults leading to identification of 3 species of ticks.A total of 7 species of mesostigmatid mites were found.6 species were on rodent,Maxomys mrifer and another one species,Laelaps nuttalli was found only on Leopoldamys sabanus.Laelaps sanguisugus was the only mesostigmatid found infesting tree-shrews.Seven genera of chiggers were identified.From this,5 genera were on rodents,4 genera on tree-shrews and 1 genus on a bat.Conclusions:A total of 16 genera,2 sub-genus and 14 species of acarine ectoparasites were found in this area. Findings of the survey demonstrate the presence of three spesies of acarine ectoparasites which have potential health risk i.e.Ixodes granulalus,Laelaps nuttalli and Leptotrombidium deliense.展开更多
Objective:To identify the acari present on pet Burmese pythons in Malaysia and to determine whether there is any potential public health risk related to handling of the snakes.Methods: Two sub-adult Burmese pythons ke...Objective:To identify the acari present on pet Burmese pythons in Malaysia and to determine whether there is any potential public health risk related to handling of the snakes.Methods: Two sub-adult Burmese pythons kept as pets for a period of about 6 to 7 months by different owners,were brought to an exotic animal practice for treatment.On a complete medical examination,some ticks and mites(acari) were detected beneath the dorsal and ventral scales along body length of the snakes.Ticks were directly identified and mites were mounted prior to identification.Results:A total of 12 ticks represented by 3 males,2 females and 7 nymphal stages of Rhipicephalus sanguineus(R.sanguineus) were extracted from the first python while the other one was with 25 female Ophionyssus natricis(O.natricis) mesostigmatid mites.Only adult female mites were found.These mites are common ectoparasites of Burmese pythons. Conclusions:Both the acarine species found on the Burmese pythons are known vectors of pathogens.This is the first record that R.sanguineus has been reported from a pet Burmese python in Malaysia.展开更多
Objective:To document movement patterns,home range,nesting behaviour and social organization of 5 individuals(3 males and 2 females) of a common species of tree-shrew,Tupaia glis(T.glis) surrounding houses of otoacari...Objective:To document movement patterns,home range,nesting behaviour and social organization of 5 individuals(3 males and 2 females) of a common species of tree-shrew,Tupaia glis(T.glis) surrounding houses of otoacariasis cases.Methods:Each shrew was fitted with a transmitter chip radio-collar which operates between the frequencies of 154.13 MHz to 154.21 MHz.Each transmitter was then tracked with a Portable Telemetry Receiver(Sirtrack,New Zealand) fitted with a 3-element Yagi antenna.Collared shrews were located using standard methods of ground-based triangulation.Each location was taken from at least 2 directional fixes and a minimum of 3 compass bearings.Fixes were taken hourly for each collared individual from the time of emergence from nest(beginning of activity) till time of entry into the nest(end of activity) every day for 5 to 7 continuous days.Three series of radio telemetry observations were carried out.The bearings,time and positions of an observer were recorded and later plotted on a graph paper in order to derive coordinates of the collared animal.[These coordinates then analyzed using Ecological Software Solutions(Biotas Version 1.03)].Results:Nests were found in a jack fruit tree,long bushes,and 2 houses.Daily telemetry detections demonstrated 2 individuals of different sex having nests(or a nest) in the same house.All shrews emerged from and returned to their nests between 0601 to 0659 hours and 1901 to 1959 hours,respectively. Both the time of exit from and entry into nest were the same between sexes(P】0.05).Their average total active period was 4.90 to 7.00 hours with a total daily travel distant of 270 m to 382 m.A male and a female shrew can move as far as 3 285 m and 4 591 m,respectively.Active movements of T.glis were during daytime.They regularly entered some houses in the area during day and night except for one individual which visited during daytime only.The sizes of home range and core area for the shrews were 2.00-3.40 ha and 0.05-0.42 ha,respectively.Generally, the mean home range size of females was 20.8%larger than that of males.Females covered a 15.4%slightly higher daily movement range compared to males.Conclusions:This is the first radio telemetry study in Malaysia to monitor movements and home range of shrews carrying ticks on their body.It demonstrates that shrews are potential carriers of ticks from wild into the houses and their compounds based on their total active periods spent moving around from fruit orchards, secondary forest,plantations and other vegetations to trees in compound of 4 to 7 houses and vice versa.There are also evidences showing shrews have close contact with humans.展开更多
Ticks were extracted from ear canal of 318 cases in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan,Kuantan,Pahang over a 5-year period(January 2002 to December 2006).A total of 329 ticks were recorded and a majority belonged to the gen...Ticks were extracted from ear canal of 318 cases in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan,Kuantan,Pahang over a 5-year period(January 2002 to December 2006).A total of 329 ticks were recorded and a majority belonged to the genus Dermacentor(99.7%).The genus was represented by Dermacentor atrosignatus,Dermacentor compactus and Dermacentor steini.A single tick of the genus Haemaphysalis was found.All active stages(larvae, nymphs and adults) were present.The nymphal stages were most frequently encountered(82.4%).Usually, there was only one tick per case.However,there were 7 cases where 2 or 3 ticks were extracted from a single ear canal.Throughout the study,there were 6 repeat cases.Average body engorgement indices for detached larvae,nymph,male and female ticks were 1.04,1.24,1.32 and 1.31,respectively.Based on these indices,duration of attachment was then predicted.Attachment for most nymphal(99.6%) and all adult ticks were less than 24 hours.Only 1 nymphal tick attached for a 60 hours’duration.Ticks were commonly found in the bony part of ear auditory canal(47.3%),followed by tympanic membrane(29.1%) and cartilage part of ear auditory canal(22.0%);a small percent was attached to the pinna(1.6%).All ticks were alive before extraction.However,most attached ticks were found dead(71.7%) after extraction.Majority of the ticks were intact(90.3%) while others were either in a bad condition(3.6%) or broken(6.1%).Those alive were either unfed or at early stage of feeding.Generally,removal of ticks did not result in any complication (61.4%) to the cases.The most common complication was bleeding(27.6%),followed by haematoma of external auditory canal(5.5%),haematoma of tympanic membrane(3.1%) and perforated tympanic membrane (1.6%).Bleeding was a common complication at the site of skin abrasion due to the strong grip of ticks ’mouthparts that were deeply embedded into the skin of cases.In this study,32.5%of removal ticks had remnants of case tissues attached to the ticks’mouthparts.展开更多
Objective:To determine distribution of arthropods in rice grains obtained from different sources.Methods: Rice samples were randomly collected from public in urban areas,farmers in rice field areas,aborigines in undev...Objective:To determine distribution of arthropods in rice grains obtained from different sources.Methods: Rice samples were randomly collected from public in urban areas,farmers in rice field areas,aborigines in undeveloped areas and retailers in commercial premises.Random samples of rice were taken out from each sample for isolation of arthropods using a modified Berlese Tullgren Funnel Method.Mites were mounted prior to identification; weevils were directly identified.Results:Samples of rice from retailers in commercial premises had the highest infestation by arthropods followed by samples from urbanites,aborigines and rice farmers.Two species of weevils,Sitophilus oryzae(S.oryzae) and Sitophilus granarius(S.granarius),were found.Samples from commercial premises had the least percentage of weevils compared to those collected from domestic premises. Depending on the source of samples,densities of S.granarius and S.oryzae ranges from 11-103 weevils/ kg and 7- 80 weevils/kg,respectively.Important species of mites in stored rice identified were mainly members of the families Cheyletidae,Echimyopodidae,Pyroglyphidae,Saproglyphidae and Tenuipalpidae.Among the species of mites identified were Austroglycyphagus malaysiensis,Cheyletus fortis,Cheyletus malaccensis,Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus,Grammolichus malukuensis and Suidasia pontifica.Average density of most of the mites was less than 40 mites/kg of rice grains.In this study,the highest number of mites in rice samples was recovered from commercial premises,followed by samples from urbanites.Samples from farmers and aborigines contained lesser mites.Conclusion:This study demonstrated the presence of 3 allergenic mite species in rice, i.e A.malaysiensis,D.pteronyssinus and S.pontifica.Weevils,S.oryzae and S.granarius that are known to be allergenic,were also found.展开更多
Objective:To determine distribution of arthropods in processed rice products such as rice flour and rice cereal-based infant food.Methods:Random samples of rice flour and rice cereal-based infant food purchased from c...Objective:To determine distribution of arthropods in processed rice products such as rice flour and rice cereal-based infant food.Methods:Random samples of rice flour and rice cereal-based infant food purchased from commercial outlets were examined for the presence of arthropods using a modified Berlese Tullgren Funnel Method.Mites were mounted prior to identification and weevils were directly identified.Results:For non-expired products, infestation was found in 6.7%of rice flour and none was found in rice cereal-based infant food samples.The arthropods found in the flour samples were Cheyletus spp.,Suidasia pontifica(S. pontifica),Tarsonemus spp.,Tyrophagus putrescentiae(T.putrescentiae),Sitophilus granarius(S. granarius) and Sitophilus oryzae(S.oryzae).Others which cannot be identified were Oribatid and Prostigmatid mites.The most common mites in rice flour were Tarsonemus spp.(69.1%),followed by S.pontifica(18.2%).For expired products,only one sample of rice cereal-based infant food was infested and the infestation was by mites of the family Tydeidae.Conclusions:This study demonstrates the presence of 4 allergenic species of S.pontifica,T.putrescentiae,S.granarius and S.oryzae in rice flour.These arthropods can contribute to the incidence of anaphylaxis upon consumption by atopic individuals.There was no infestation of arthropods in rice cereal-based infant food surveyed except for an expired product in a moderate rusty tin container.展开更多
文摘Objective:To identify the presence of acarine ectoparasites and determine whether there is any potential public health risk in Panti Forest Reserve,Johore,Malaysia.Methods:Trapping of animals and avifauna was conducted simultaneously along 5 expedition trails using 150 wire traps,10 harp traps and 30 mist nets for 6 consecutive nights.A total of 140 animals consisting of 7 species of birds,19 species of bats,6 species of rodents and 1 species of tree-shrew as well as 8 myriapods were examined.Results:Infestation rates of ticks,mesostigmatid mites and chiggers on animals examined were 24.3%,28.6%and 27.9%,respectively.Infestation on bats was low(1.5%) and none occurred on birds.Majority of ticks extracted were at immature stages(78.9%). Genera of ticks on animals were Amblyomma,Dermacentor,Haemaphysalis and Ixodes.Ixodes granulatus was the only species of licks identified from the animals.Examination of ticks under vegetation revealed 54%adults leading to identification of 3 species of ticks.A total of 7 species of mesostigmatid mites were found.6 species were on rodent,Maxomys mrifer and another one species,Laelaps nuttalli was found only on Leopoldamys sabanus.Laelaps sanguisugus was the only mesostigmatid found infesting tree-shrews.Seven genera of chiggers were identified.From this,5 genera were on rodents,4 genera on tree-shrews and 1 genus on a bat.Conclusions:A total of 16 genera,2 sub-genus and 14 species of acarine ectoparasites were found in this area. Findings of the survey demonstrate the presence of three spesies of acarine ectoparasites which have potential health risk i.e.Ixodes granulalus,Laelaps nuttalli and Leptotrombidium deliense.
文摘Objective:To identify the acari present on pet Burmese pythons in Malaysia and to determine whether there is any potential public health risk related to handling of the snakes.Methods: Two sub-adult Burmese pythons kept as pets for a period of about 6 to 7 months by different owners,were brought to an exotic animal practice for treatment.On a complete medical examination,some ticks and mites(acari) were detected beneath the dorsal and ventral scales along body length of the snakes.Ticks were directly identified and mites were mounted prior to identification.Results:A total of 12 ticks represented by 3 males,2 females and 7 nymphal stages of Rhipicephalus sanguineus(R.sanguineus) were extracted from the first python while the other one was with 25 female Ophionyssus natricis(O.natricis) mesostigmatid mites.Only adult female mites were found.These mites are common ectoparasites of Burmese pythons. Conclusions:Both the acarine species found on the Burmese pythons are known vectors of pathogens.This is the first record that R.sanguineus has been reported from a pet Burmese python in Malaysia.
文摘Objective:To document movement patterns,home range,nesting behaviour and social organization of 5 individuals(3 males and 2 females) of a common species of tree-shrew,Tupaia glis(T.glis) surrounding houses of otoacariasis cases.Methods:Each shrew was fitted with a transmitter chip radio-collar which operates between the frequencies of 154.13 MHz to 154.21 MHz.Each transmitter was then tracked with a Portable Telemetry Receiver(Sirtrack,New Zealand) fitted with a 3-element Yagi antenna.Collared shrews were located using standard methods of ground-based triangulation.Each location was taken from at least 2 directional fixes and a minimum of 3 compass bearings.Fixes were taken hourly for each collared individual from the time of emergence from nest(beginning of activity) till time of entry into the nest(end of activity) every day for 5 to 7 continuous days.Three series of radio telemetry observations were carried out.The bearings,time and positions of an observer were recorded and later plotted on a graph paper in order to derive coordinates of the collared animal.[These coordinates then analyzed using Ecological Software Solutions(Biotas Version 1.03)].Results:Nests were found in a jack fruit tree,long bushes,and 2 houses.Daily telemetry detections demonstrated 2 individuals of different sex having nests(or a nest) in the same house.All shrews emerged from and returned to their nests between 0601 to 0659 hours and 1901 to 1959 hours,respectively. Both the time of exit from and entry into nest were the same between sexes(P】0.05).Their average total active period was 4.90 to 7.00 hours with a total daily travel distant of 270 m to 382 m.A male and a female shrew can move as far as 3 285 m and 4 591 m,respectively.Active movements of T.glis were during daytime.They regularly entered some houses in the area during day and night except for one individual which visited during daytime only.The sizes of home range and core area for the shrews were 2.00-3.40 ha and 0.05-0.42 ha,respectively.Generally, the mean home range size of females was 20.8%larger than that of males.Females covered a 15.4%slightly higher daily movement range compared to males.Conclusions:This is the first radio telemetry study in Malaysia to monitor movements and home range of shrews carrying ticks on their body.It demonstrates that shrews are potential carriers of ticks from wild into the houses and their compounds based on their total active periods spent moving around from fruit orchards, secondary forest,plantations and other vegetations to trees in compound of 4 to 7 houses and vice versa.There are also evidences showing shrews have close contact with humans.
基金supported by a grant(Code:04- 002)from the Ministry of Health,Malaysia
文摘Ticks were extracted from ear canal of 318 cases in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan,Kuantan,Pahang over a 5-year period(January 2002 to December 2006).A total of 329 ticks were recorded and a majority belonged to the genus Dermacentor(99.7%).The genus was represented by Dermacentor atrosignatus,Dermacentor compactus and Dermacentor steini.A single tick of the genus Haemaphysalis was found.All active stages(larvae, nymphs and adults) were present.The nymphal stages were most frequently encountered(82.4%).Usually, there was only one tick per case.However,there were 7 cases where 2 or 3 ticks were extracted from a single ear canal.Throughout the study,there were 6 repeat cases.Average body engorgement indices for detached larvae,nymph,male and female ticks were 1.04,1.24,1.32 and 1.31,respectively.Based on these indices,duration of attachment was then predicted.Attachment for most nymphal(99.6%) and all adult ticks were less than 24 hours.Only 1 nymphal tick attached for a 60 hours’duration.Ticks were commonly found in the bony part of ear auditory canal(47.3%),followed by tympanic membrane(29.1%) and cartilage part of ear auditory canal(22.0%);a small percent was attached to the pinna(1.6%).All ticks were alive before extraction.However,most attached ticks were found dead(71.7%) after extraction.Majority of the ticks were intact(90.3%) while others were either in a bad condition(3.6%) or broken(6.1%).Those alive were either unfed or at early stage of feeding.Generally,removal of ticks did not result in any complication (61.4%) to the cases.The most common complication was bleeding(27.6%),followed by haematoma of external auditory canal(5.5%),haematoma of tympanic membrane(3.1%) and perforated tympanic membrane (1.6%).Bleeding was a common complication at the site of skin abrasion due to the strong grip of ticks ’mouthparts that were deeply embedded into the skin of cases.In this study,32.5%of removal ticks had remnants of case tissues attached to the ticks’mouthparts.
基金funded by a grant from the Malaysia Toray Science Foundation.
文摘Objective:To determine distribution of arthropods in rice grains obtained from different sources.Methods: Rice samples were randomly collected from public in urban areas,farmers in rice field areas,aborigines in undeveloped areas and retailers in commercial premises.Random samples of rice were taken out from each sample for isolation of arthropods using a modified Berlese Tullgren Funnel Method.Mites were mounted prior to identification; weevils were directly identified.Results:Samples of rice from retailers in commercial premises had the highest infestation by arthropods followed by samples from urbanites,aborigines and rice farmers.Two species of weevils,Sitophilus oryzae(S.oryzae) and Sitophilus granarius(S.granarius),were found.Samples from commercial premises had the least percentage of weevils compared to those collected from domestic premises. Depending on the source of samples,densities of S.granarius and S.oryzae ranges from 11-103 weevils/ kg and 7- 80 weevils/kg,respectively.Important species of mites in stored rice identified were mainly members of the families Cheyletidae,Echimyopodidae,Pyroglyphidae,Saproglyphidae and Tenuipalpidae.Among the species of mites identified were Austroglycyphagus malaysiensis,Cheyletus fortis,Cheyletus malaccensis,Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus,Grammolichus malukuensis and Suidasia pontifica.Average density of most of the mites was less than 40 mites/kg of rice grains.In this study,the highest number of mites in rice samples was recovered from commercial premises,followed by samples from urbanites.Samples from farmers and aborigines contained lesser mites.Conclusion:This study demonstrated the presence of 3 allergenic mite species in rice, i.e A.malaysiensis,D.pteronyssinus and S.pontifica.Weevils,S.oryzae and S.granarius that are known to be allergenic,were also found.
文摘Objective:To determine distribution of arthropods in processed rice products such as rice flour and rice cereal-based infant food.Methods:Random samples of rice flour and rice cereal-based infant food purchased from commercial outlets were examined for the presence of arthropods using a modified Berlese Tullgren Funnel Method.Mites were mounted prior to identification and weevils were directly identified.Results:For non-expired products, infestation was found in 6.7%of rice flour and none was found in rice cereal-based infant food samples.The arthropods found in the flour samples were Cheyletus spp.,Suidasia pontifica(S. pontifica),Tarsonemus spp.,Tyrophagus putrescentiae(T.putrescentiae),Sitophilus granarius(S. granarius) and Sitophilus oryzae(S.oryzae).Others which cannot be identified were Oribatid and Prostigmatid mites.The most common mites in rice flour were Tarsonemus spp.(69.1%),followed by S.pontifica(18.2%).For expired products,only one sample of rice cereal-based infant food was infested and the infestation was by mites of the family Tydeidae.Conclusions:This study demonstrates the presence of 4 allergenic species of S.pontifica,T.putrescentiae,S.granarius and S.oryzae in rice flour.These arthropods can contribute to the incidence of anaphylaxis upon consumption by atopic individuals.There was no infestation of arthropods in rice cereal-based infant food surveyed except for an expired product in a moderate rusty tin container.
