The potential role of Rattus rattus in enzootic cycle of Rift Valley Fever in Egypt. 1-Detection of RVF antibodies in R. rattus blood samples by both enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and immuno-diffusion technique (ID).

Three hundreds of Rattus rattus (R. rattus) were trapped from 3 different governorates of Egypt (one hundred each), blood samples were withdrawal and subjected for detection of anti-RVF antibodies by both ELISA and ID techniques. The prevalence rate of antibodies by ELISA were 88 (29.33%) positive out of 300 tested blood samples, the highest rate was in Behira governorate 36 (36%) and the lowest one was in Alexandria governorate 22 (22%) while it was 30 (30%) in Minia governorate. But when ID technique was applied, it gave only 18 (6%) positive samples out of 300 tested blood samples with the highest rate in Behira and Minia governorates (8%) and it was only (2%) in Alexandria governorate. Our study suggests that these R. rattus make possible candidate as intermediate host in the maintenance cycle of RVF in Egypt.