Infestation rate with polyplax spinulosa (burmeister, 1839) among certain laboratory albino rats (rattus norvegicus) in relation to different washing agents in two Erbil city universities

Backgrounds and objectives: The ectoparasite Polyplax spinulosa (Class: Isecta; SubOrder: Anoplura; Familiy: Polyplacidae) was found to act as a biological vector of some pathogenic virus, bacteria and protozoa. The main objective of the present study was to identify the P. spinulosa parasitizing laboratory rats in two different animal houses (Science College-Salahaddin University and Medicine College-Hawler Medical University) and the effect of washing with different detergent agents on the mean intensity and numbers of the Polyplax spinulosa. Methods: In a study from the beginning of February to July 2010, thirty (30) adult Albino rats (15 rats from each Science and Medicine Colleges) randomly were collected from two selected animal houses of two universities in Erbil City. The fur was gently examined and scraped off using a fine brush; hair particles and ectoparasites that dropped off were transferred to a petridish, and examined using magnifying lenses and dissecting microscope before and after washing with two different agents. The ectoparasites collected in small vials were fixed in 70% ethanol. Results: The overall prevalence with the P. spinulosa was 80%, the higher rate of infestation (100%) and mean intensity (13.33) was among rats of Science College, while the lower rate (60%) and mean intensity (4) was among rats of Medicine College. The present study showed that Cis-Cypermethrin has greater role than Cyprimidine in declining the rate of infestation with this ectoparasite. Conclusion: The overall prevalence with the P. Spinulosa was 80%, The higher rate of infestation was among rats of Science College. Cis-Cypermethrin has a role in declining the rate of infestation with this ectoparasite. Key word: Polyplax spinulosa, laboratory rats, washing agents, Erbil.