The potential role of rattus rattus in enzootic cycle of Rift Valley Fever in Egypt 2-application of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in blood samples of Rattus rattus.

A reverse transcriptase -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to detect Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVF-V) in blood samples of Rattus rattus (R. rattus) collected from 3 different governorates of Egypt, Alexandria, Behira and Minia governorates (one hundred each). Out of 300 blood samples 29(9.67%) were positive for RVF-Virus by RT-PCR with higher percent in Behira governorate rural areas (16%), followed by Minia governorate rural areas (13.85%) while the lowest percent was in Alexandria governorate urban areas (0.00%). The overall percent in rural areas were (13.5%) while it was only (2.0%) in urban areas. Our Study suggests that, this R. rattus play an important role in the maintenance cycle of RVF-V in rural areas of Egypt.