Prevalence of ixodid ticks on cattle and sheep southeast of Iran

A survey was carried out to investigate the prevalence of hard tick species (Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle and sheep southeast of Iran. A total of 972 ticks were collected from 280 infested cattle and 1,207 ticks were collected from 632 infested sheep during activating seasons of ticks in 2008–2009. The species collected from cattle were Hyalomma marginatum marginatum (50.92%), Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum (25.61%), Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (8.12%), Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum (1.85%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (13.47%) while the species collected from sheep were R. sanguineus (36.37%), H. marginatum marginatum (30.65%), H. anatolicum excavatum (19.05%), H. asiaticum asiaticum (10.52%), Hyalomma detritum (3.14%), and Dermacentor marginatus (0.24%). The results show that, H. marginatum marginatum, H. anatolicum excavatum, and R. sanguineus are dominant tick species in the surveyed area.     

Species of Ticks on Camels and Their Seasonal Population Dynamics in Eastern Ethiopia

A study was conducted to identify the species of ticks found on camels (Camelus dromedarius) and their seasonal population dynamics in Eastern Ethiopia. Collection and identification of the ticks were undertaken at 2-month intervals from December 1997 to August 1999. On each occasion, all the visible adult ticks were collected from one side of the body of each of the same 17 camels. The most abundant species of ticks on the camels were Rhipiephalus pulchellus (85.2%), Hyalomma dromedarii (5.9%), Amblyomma gemma (4.0%) and Amblyomma variegatum (1.8%). The average tick load per camel was higher during rainy months than during dry months. The smallest number of ticks per camel was observed during the driest month (December), whereas the highest was recorded in the wettest month (August). Any strategy intended to mitigate problems of tick infestation of camels in this area should take into account the identified tick species and their season of abundance.     

Lack of Immunological Cross-reactivity of 36-kDa Secretory Salivary Gland Antigen of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum with Hyalomma dromedarii and Boophilus microplus Ticks

During feeding of ticks of the species Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, most of the proteins in salivary gland extracts (SGEs) remained unchanged from the unfed to the fully fed state (from day 1 to day 7 of the experiment), as revealed by SDS-PAGE. However, a 45-kDa protein band disappeared and 26-, 32- and 33-kDa bands appeared when feeding commenced. Some of the protein bands changed their intensity. When probed with anti-H. anatolicum anatolicum hyperimmune sera, transblotted SGE proteins of unfed H. anatolicum anatolicum and Hyalomma dromedarii revealed two common bands of 105 and 80 kDa. A 36-kDa protein band present in H. anatolicum anatolicum SGE could not be detected in H. dromedarii. None of these proteins were detected in partly fed Boophilus microplus when probed with anti-H. anatolicum anatolicum hyperimmune serum. This H. anatolicum anatolicum specific 36-kDa protein was strongly recognized throughout feeding, and thus may be an immunogen of importance for the development of an H. anatolicum anatolicum specific serodiagnostic assay.     

A comparison of susceptibilities to infection of four species of Hyalomma ticks with Theileria annulata

In this comparative study unfed nymphs of four Hyalomma tick species (Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum, Hyalomma detritum and Hyalomma marginatum marginatum) were allowed to engorge on calves experimentally infected with Theileria annulata. The infection prevalence in the salivary glands of the adult female and male ticks of each Hyalomma species used in the study were assessed. The infection prevalence with T. annulata was high and did not vary markedly in the four Hyalomma tick species. The mean number of infected acini per tick in female and male ticks was different with female ticks having higher numbers of infected acini than the male ticks. The sex difference was more significant between H.a. anatolicum and H.a. excavatum than between H. detritum and H.m. marginatum. This study clarifies the roles of four Hyalomma tick species, and their sex, in the development of T. annulata.     

Some observations on ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting sheep in River Nile Province of Northern Sudan

Five species of ixodid ticks were found in a cross-sectional survey in which 200 sheep were examined for ticks in River Nile Province, Sudan. Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum was the predominant species (73.6%), whereas ticks belonging to the Rhipicephalus sanguineus group (14.7%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (9.1%), Rhipicephalus simus (2%) and Hyalomma dromedarii (0.5%) were also found. The mean tick load was 11.2 per animal. In a subsequent longitudinal survey ticks were collected on a monthly basis from eight sentinel sheep that were introduced into the area. It was found that H. a. anatolicum almost disappeared during the hot period between April and August, whereas it's highest numbers were present in winter between November and February. It is concluded that there is only one generation of H. a. anatolicum per year, which may explain the year-round appearance of clinical cases of malignant ovine theileriosis indicating endemic instability of this disease in River Nile Province.     

Cattle infestation by Hyalomma ticks and prevalence of Theileria in Hyalomma species in the east of Turkey

A total of 2388 cattle and 442 shelters, from two provinces (Elazig and Malatya) endemic for tropical theileriosis in the east of Turkey, were studied for Hyalomma tick populations from July 1993 to July 1995 in Elazig and from May 1998 to January 1999 in Malatya. Four thousand five hundred and eighty one of 7455 Hyalomma ticks were collected from cattle, the other ticks (2874) were collected from shelters. All of the ticks collected from shelters were Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum. Two thousand eight hundred and ninety five (63.1%) of 4581 Hyalomma ticks collected from cattle were H.a. anatolicum. 23.8% (1047/4581), 11.7% (536/4581) and 0.6% (3/4581) of Hyalomma ticks were Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum, Hyalomma detritum and Hyalomma marginatum marginatum, respectively. A total of 5909 Hyalomma adult ticks collected from cattle (3362/5909) and shelters (2447/5909) were dissected and salivary glands were stained with Methylgreen/Pyronin method. Thousand one hundred and fifty (46.9%) of 2447 H.a. anatolicum collected from shelters and 412 (19.1%) of 2147 H.a. anatolicum collected from cattle were positive for Theileria infection. Twenty (2.4%) of 820 H.a. excavatum and 23 (4.6%) of 495 H. detritum collected from cattle were positive. The mean number of infected acini per infected male and female ticks collected from cattle were 11.3 and 22.4 in H.a. anatolicum, 4 and 6.8 in H.a. excavatum, 17.9 and 18.3 in H. detritum, respectively. In H.a. anatolicum collected from shelters, the above rates were 11.8 and 17.6 in male and female ticks, respectively. The prevalence and intensity of Theileria infection was greater in female ticks than in males.     

Seasonal Activity of Ticks on Small Ruminants in Tamil Nadu State,India

The seasonal activity of ticks on sheep and goat populations was examined from December 2000 to November 2001 in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This longitudinal study spread over four seasons and seven agroclimatic zones took into consideration the spectrum of species involved, the levels of infestations, the seasonal epidemiology of ticks and the associated management practices. The most common species of tick spread throughout the state was Haemaphysalis bispinosa followed by Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Hyalomma marginatum isaaci and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum with mixed infestations being the rule. Although the infestations were found throughout the year, they were greater during the rainy season and rainfall seemed to be the most important climatic factor affecting seasonal variation. In general, most of the small-ruminant populations carried moderate tick burdens with mixed infestations and this varied with the management practices.     

Survey of tick infestation in small ruminants of Miesso district,West Harergie,Oromia Region,Ethiopia

A survey was conducted to identify tick species and determine the prevalence of tick infestation in small ruminants of Miesso District, West Harergie Zone. Collection and identification of the ticks were undertaken from November 2007 to April 2008. All visible individual adult ticks were collected from the body of 328 goats and 40 sheep. The prevalence of tick infestation in goats and sheep was found to be 89.9% and 87.5%, respectively. In this study, ten species of ticks which grouped under four genera were identified. The most abundant species found in this study were Boophilus decoloratus (60%), Rhipicephalus pulchellus (25.1%), and Amblyomma gemma (11%). Hyalomma dromedarii was the minor species observed on goats. The difference in the prevalence of tick infestation between sheep and goats was not statistically significant (Χ ²   = 0.22, p = 0.63) but found to be statistically significant between male and females (Χ ²  = 9.8, p = 0.003). Attention should be given to the control and prevention of ticks, since they cause sever damage to the skins of small ruminants and thereby reduce the foreign exchange of the country; they also transmit some diseases which can cause sever loss to the productivity of these animals.     

A study about tick vectors of bovine theileriosis in an endemic region of Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the population of ticks in infected cattle and to identify the tick vectors of bovine theileriosis in an endemic area of Iran from 1998 to 1999. A total of 120 suspected cattle suffering from theileriosis were clinically examined and investigated for the presence of Theileria annulata in blood smears and the presence of any tick species on the body of cattle. In this study, 680 ticks were collected from 107 cattle infected with T. annulata. The prevalence of ticks infesting cattle was 92.35% Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum, 5.14% H. marginatum marginatum, 1.17% H. asiaticum asiaticum and 1.32% Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The examination of 510 tick salivary glands revealed that 51% of H. a. excavatum and 1.3% of H. a. asiaticum were infected with sporozoites of T. annulata.     

Immunization of Crossbred Cattle (Bos indicus×Bos taurus) with Fractionated Midgut Antigens against Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum

Crossbred calves (Bos indicus×Bos taurus) were immunized with a fractionated midgut supernate antigen (GS-F Ag from Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum). The first inoculation on day 0 was given intramuscularly after emulsification with Freund's complete adjuvant; the second was given subcutaneously on day 14 in incomplete Freund's adjuvant; and the third on day 35 was given subcutaneously without adjuvant. Each injection comprised 1 mg of antigen protein. Ten days after the last inoculation, the immunized calves were challenged simultaneously with 1000 larvae and 20 pairs (20 males and 20 females) of adult H. a. anatolicum on one ear and a similar number of Hyalomma dromedarii ticks on the other ear. There was a significant decrease in the percentage larval engorgement and larval rejection of up to 34% on the immunized calves. A significant increase in the engorgement and preoviposition periods and a significant decrease in the engorged weight, egg mass weight and reproductive index were observed for adult female ticks when fed on the immunized calves. The GS-F Ag also induced a considerable degree of cross-protection in calves against H. dromedarii larval ticks.     

Preliminary survey of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle in northern Sudan

In a cross sectional survey conducted during the period June 2001 to July 2002, the geographical distribution of ticks on cattle in the Sudan was determined. Seventeen locations were surveyed from Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Blue Nile and White Nile Provinces. Total body collections of ticks were made from 20 cattle at each location. Four tick genera and 11 species were identified. The tick species collected included Amblyomma lepidum, Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus decoloratus, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma impeltatum, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus sanguineus group and Rhipicephalus simus simus. Major ecological changes have occurred due to extensive animal movement, deforestation, desertification and establishment of large mechanized agricultural schemes. These factors have certainly affected the distribution of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the Sudan. The absence of A. variegatum and A. lepidum in northern Sudan was not surprising, since these tick species are known to survive in humid areas and not in the desert and semi-desert areas of northern Sudan. The absence of B. annulatus in northern and central Sudan is in accordance with the finding that this tick species is restricted to the southern parts of the central Sudan. The presence of H. anatolicum anatolicum in Um Benin in relatively high abundance is an interesting finding. The present finding may indicate that the southern limit of this species has changed and moved southwards to latitude 13 degrees N. It is concluded that major changes in tick distribution have taken place in the Sudan.     

Ticks parasitising the Indian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and their possible role in disease transmission

A total of 13 ixodid tick species, Boophilus microplus, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, Haemaphysalis cornupunctata, Haemaphysalis himalaya, Heamaphysalis montgomeryi, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma marginatum isaaci, Hyalomma (Hyalommina) brevipunctata, Hyalomma (Hyalommina) hussaini, Nosomma monstrosum, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, and R. turanicus were collected off 424 buffaloes from the northwestern states of India. Ten tick species, Amblyomma testudinarium, B. microplus, Haemaphysalis anomala, Haemaphysalis arborensis, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, Haemaphysalis intermedia, Haemaphysalis nepalensis, Haemaphysalis neumanni, R. haemaphysaloides, and R. turanicus parasitising 194 buffaloes were collected from the northeastern states of India. In addition to tick-buffalo relationships, the incidence of haemoparasites in buffalo from these two regions was studied and the possible role of these ticks in disease transmission was discussed. Examination of blood films and lymph smears revealed Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bigemina in 6.2 and 2.6%, respectively, of buffaloes tested in the northeastern states, and 14.9 and 4.7%, respectively, in the northwestern states.     

Distribution and population dynamics of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting sheep in Sennar State, Sudan

A cross-sectional survey of ticks infesting sheep was conducted in Sennar State, Sudan. A total body collection of ticks was carried out at five localities Sennar town, Singa, Dinder, Abu Naama and Um Banein on two types of Desert sheep (Watish and Ashgar) on two farms at each locality at two monthly intervals for one year starting July 2002 to May 2003. Four tick genera and eight species were identified. They were Amblyomma lepidum, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Rhipicephalus camicasi, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus guilhoni and Rhipicephalus muhsamae. A significant (P < or = 0.05) seasonal pattern of activity was observed for A. lepidum and R. guilhoni with peak activity occurring during rainy seasons. The highest mean number of ticks (7.26 +/- 0.58) was recorded at Abu Naama, while the lowest mean (3.61 +/- 0.31) was recorded in Sennar. Watish type sheep carried significantly (P < or = 0.05) more ticks than Ashgar type.     

Studies on the Epidemiology of Tropical Theileriosis (Theileria annulata Infection) in Cattle in Central Anatolia,Turkey

An epidemiological survey for Theileria annulata infection was conducted in 12 selected villages around Ankara in Central Anatolia, Turkey, during the period April 1990 to January 1993. During the survey, 198 cattle of 30 local breeds, 84 Holstein-Friesian×local breeds and 84 Holstein-Friesian breed were examined for antibodies to T. annulata and the presence of the vector ticks. Four species of Hyalomma ticks were identified: Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma anatolicum excavtum, Hyalomma detritum and Hyalomma marginatum marginatum. Salivary gland staining indicated that infected adult ticks of all four species were present and, therefore, were implicated in the transmission of tropical theileriosis in the field. Generally, the Hyalomma infestation rate was low, with the heaviest infestations occurring on the older animals. Young adults and calves had very low infestation rates. Most ticks seen on cattle were adults, very few nymphs were found. The blood smear and serological examination of the 198 cattle conducted in March, before the start of the first disease season, showed that the prevalence of piroplasmosis was 11.1% (22 out of 198) and the seroprevalence of T. annulata was 10.6% (21 out of 198). Forty-three animals were then excluded from the study because they were seropositive and/or harboured piroplasms. Ninety-two seronegative animals showed piroplasmosis (92 out of 155) and 34 seronegative animals became seropositive for T. annulata (34 out of 155) during the three disease seasons. One animal became clinically ill with tropical theileriosis and required treatment. The incidence of cattle showing piroplasmosis and disease in the total study sample was 50.7% and 0.5% per disease season, respectively. The seroconversion rate of new infection with T. annulata in the total study was 14.3% per animal season. The number of cattle showing piroplasmosis was much greater than the number of seropositive cattle, which may indicate the presence of another species of Theileria. The two different management systems encountered in the study were considered to have influenced the tick infestation levels.     

Virulence of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces lilacinus to the engorged female Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum tick (Acari: Ixodidae)

The tick is a common ectoparasite of livestock and humans, and is responsible for the transmission of pathogens among hosts. Direct and indirect impacts of ticks include limiting the sustainable development of the animal husbandry industry and detrimental effects on human health. Despite these negative effects, the main method of controlling ticks remains the application of chemical acaricides, which can lead to ambient pollution and the development of tick resistance to them. The biocontrol of ticks is one of the alternative control methods that has received recent research attention. The present study used Tenebrio moliter bait methods to collect 13 species of entomopathogenic fungi from different areas in China that were then tested to observe their effects on engorged female Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum ticks. The results showed that more than half of the isolates had some pathogenic effects on the ticks; in particular, two Beauveria bassiana strains (B.bAT01, B.bAT17) and one Metarhizium anisopliae strain (M.aAT26) were highly virulent, causing up to 90% mortality. In addition, H. anatolicum anatolicum females were treated with B. bassiana B.bAT17 using different concentrations of the fungus. Results revealed that B. bassiana B.bAT17 is highly pathogenic against engorged H. anatolicum anatolicum females. This is the first report of the pathogenic effect of entomopathogenic fungi on engorged H. anatolicum anatolicum females. However, studies of the efficiency of this fungus against ticks in the field are required before it can be used for tick management in practice.     

Infectivity of ground-up tick supernates prepared from Theilerai annulata infected Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum.

Groups of Theileria annulata infected Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum adults prefed on a calf for 1 to 6 days were separately ground in tissue culture medium-199, supplemented with bovine albumin powder, Fraction-V. Supernatant fluid was collected, made up with additional medium, so that each millilitre represented material from 25 ticks, and was injected subcutaneously into groups of cross-bred male calves. The results indicated that ground-up tick supernate (GUTS) prepared from unfed ticks was not infective, whereas that prepared from 1 to 6 days prefed ticks was infective. GUTS prepared from 3 days prefed ticks appeared to contain highest infectivity and 1 ml of it induced fatal theileriosis.     

Tick infestations on livestock in the yemen arab republic and their potential as vectors of livestock diseases

A survey of ticks on cattle, camels, sheep, goats and donkeys in four different geographical locations of the Yemen Arab Republic (YAR) was carried out to provide more information on the possible risk of tick-borne diseases to imported exotic cattle included in the YAR's plans for livestock development. The most abundant ticks were Hyalomma spp. particularly on camels. Ticks found on cattle included Hyalomma spp., Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus annulatus and Rhipicephalus spp. In general with the exception of camels tick burdens on all species of domestic livestock were very low. Two hundred and ninety eight serum samples from miscellaneous adult cattle throughout the country were negative to a test for Anaplasma marginale antibodies. It is speculated that tick burdens in the YAR are too low for significant disease transmission and the implications of the findings are discussed.     

Transmission of a Trypanosoma sp. to cattle by the tick Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum

Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum engorged nymphs and flat adults were collected from two areas in northern Sudan. Various developing stages of Trypanosoma theileri-like flagellates were observed in the engorged nymphs, freshly moulted adults and mature adults partially engorged on rabbits. When these ticks were applied to two calves, one calf became infected with the trypanosome. The parasites were observed for one day in the enlarged lymph node nearest to the tick-feeding site 5 days after the tick application. Subsequently the trypanosomes were re-isolated in vitro from the infected calf. Inoculation of a ground-up tick supernatant suspension from the infected batch of ticks containing 10(4) trypanosomes into a calf did not produce a patent infection.     

Relationship between the resistance of crossbred cattle to ticks, Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (Koch, 1844)

Studies were undertaken to determine the effect of repeated pure infestations with Boophilus microplus on susceptibility to subsequent pure infestations with Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, and the effects of pure infestations with both species of tick on susceptibility to a series of mixed infestations. Crossbred (Bos indicus X Bos taurus) calves were infested with Boophilus microplus (17 times), H. a. anatolicum (four times), followed by five mixed infestations of B. microplus and H. a. anatolicum. The decline in B. microplus engorgement from a mean yield of 274.4 +/- 60.3 ticks per host after the first exposure, to a mean yield of 9 +/- 4.6 per animal after the seventeenth exposure, was observed in animals exposed to only B. microplus. This might be due to acquired resistance. However, these animals were found to be as susceptible to H. a. anatolicum as animals which had never been exposed to ticks of either species. A decline in the yield of H. a. anatolicum from a mean yield of 92.1 +/- 10.7 after the first exposure to 54.7 +/- 11.3 after the fourth exposure, indicated that the cattle could also acquire resistance to repeated pure infestations with this species. After repeated pure infestations with both tick species, cattle reacted to five mixed infestations showing a high degree of resistance to B. microplus and low resistance to H. a. anatolicum (mean yield for B. microplus was only 10 +/- 8.1 ticks per host after the first mixed exposure and declined to 1.3 +/- 1.7 after the fifth, whereas the mean yield for H. a. anatolicum was 71.4 +/- 11.3 ticks per host following the first exposure and declined to 37.3 +/- 7.8 after the fifth). Host responses elicited to one species do not provide cross-resistance to the second species used in this study.