Parasitic Fauna of long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) in Sistan region,east of Iran

Background: Hedgehogs are nocturnal ground foraging mammals which plays an important role as hosts for a wide range of parasites, bacteria, viruses and fungi and have a significant function in the zoonotic pathogen transmission.Objectives: The present study aimed to survey ectoparasites infestation of long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) from April 2019 to May 2019 in urban parts of Sistan, southeast of Iran.Materials and Methods: A total number of 20 hedgehogs were examined for ectoparasites and collected arthropods were stored in -20 freezer. Morphological keys were used to identify parasites.Results: 14 out of 20 hedgehogs (70%) were infested with ticks. The occurrence and diversity of ticks on hedgehogs was 100% with Rhipicephalus sanguineus and 10% with Hyalomma asiaticum. The tick ratio of males was more than females (112:80). Of 3 H.asiaticum, all were males and 109 of 189 R. Sanguineus (57.67%) were male and 89 of 189 (42.32%) were female. The prevalence of infestation was evaluated in different parts of the body. infestation rates of Ear, head and back were 46.8%, 23.4% and 29.6% respectively.Conclusion: hedgehogs play a key role in spreading ectoparasites and transmission of some pathogens. In the present study the rate of infestation to R.Sanguineus was considerably high and presence of Hy.asiaticum was observed. R. Sanguineus is important for transmission of Rickettsia between human and animals and cusses spotted fever in human. H.asiaticum is a vector for Theileria annulata which causes tropical theileriosis in cattle and buffalo. Increased public interest in keeping hedgehogs as pets, raises the risk of transmitting pathogens to humans alongside with animals. As a result, further studies are needed in Sistan region and also in different parts of Iran to investigate the Parasitic Fauna of hedgehogs

Keywords:

long-eared hedgehog , ectoparasites , Rhipicephalus sanguineus , Hyalomma asiaticum , Sistan