title: Occurrence of ectoparasites on rodents in Sukhothai Province, northern Thailand.
abstract: A survey of ectoparasites on rodents was carried out bimonthly from April 2008 to March 2009 in 3 districts of Sukhothai Province, northern Thailand. A total of 130 rodents comprising 8 species of hosts were captured and examined for ectoparasites. The hosts examined were Bandicota indica, Bandicota savilei, Rattus losea, Rattus rattus, Rattus exulans, Rattus norvegicus, Menetes berdmorei and Tamiops mcclellandii. Ninety-seven ectoparasites were collected: 1 species of tick (Hemaphysalis bandicota), 2 species of mites (Laelaps nuttali and Laelaps echidninus), and 1 species of flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) were identified. The infestation rates by ticks, mites and fleas on the rodents were 0.77, 5.38 and 6.15%, respectively. Monitoring the rodent population and their ectoparasites is important for future planning of prevention and control of zoonotic diseases in the area.
authors.affiliation: The Monitoring and Surveillance Center for Zoonotic Disease in Wildlife and Exotic Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. g4837556@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Tanasak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Changbunjong
authors.forename: Thekhawet
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weluwanarak
authors.forename: Tatiyanuch
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chamsai
authors.forename: Poonyapat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sedwisai
authors.forename: Seni
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ngamloephochit
authors.forename: Sarin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suwanpakdee
authors.forename: Plern
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yongyuttawichai
authors.forename: Anuwat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiratsudakul
authors.forename: Kridsada
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chaichoun
authors.forename: Parntep
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ratanakorn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008925:Mites; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D005423:Siphonaptera; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D013987:Ticks