Evaluation of The Prevalence and Oxidative Status in Sheep infected with Sarcoptic scabiei in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt.

Oxidative stress is a general mechanism whereby free radicals induces oxidative damages and reduces the antioxidant defenses of the biological systems. The highly reactive oxygen agents represent a powerful effector mechanism against parasites. The present study was aimed to examine the oxidative status in blood of  naturally  infected sheep with Sarcoptic scabiei in relation to its prevalence effects of age, gender and season in Ismailia governorate, Egypt. In the present study a number of 760 sheep, 1-3 years old, suffering from pruritis, crusted skin lesion and alopecia were investigated during October 2017 to March 2019. Microscopically examination of skin scraping revealed that 80 out of 760 sheep were infested with Sarcoptes scabiei with an overall percentage of infestation 10.5 %.  The prevalence of infestation was highest in winter time (14%), followed by autumn (11.5%), spring (10.7%) and summer (4.4 %). Higher prevalence of infection (15%) was recorded in animals aging less than one year old than those of 1-3 years old (6.60%). Significant (p˂0.05) higher prevalence rate (12%) was recorded in femal than in male sheep (6.3%).  There is a significant increase in MDA, NO and Albumin in blood of infected sheep infected in comparison with the control non-infected group. Morover there is a significant decrease on the activities of the antioxidant SOD, CAT, GSH, GPx, ZN and Cu in comparison with control group, Inflammatory markers(IL1β and CRP) showed significant increase in infected sheep than healthy one. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the tortoise-like Sarcoptes scabiei with four long bristles, suckers on legs 1 and 2, dorsal spines and a terminal anus. For conclusion Sarcoptic mites infestation causing increases in the oxidative stress and decreases the antioxidant status in infected sheep < /p>