Tick infestation of Borana cattle in the Borana Province of Ethiopia

A study was conducted to identify and determine burdens of ticks infesting Borana cattle in the Borana Province of Ethiopia. Rhipicephalus pulchellus, Rhipicephalus pravus, Rhipicephalus muhsamae, Rhipicephalus praetextatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Amblyomma gemma, Amblyomma variegatum, Amblyomma cohaerens, Amblyomma lepidum, Hyalomma truncatum, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes and Boophilus decoloratus were identified on the cattle. Their burdens ranged from 658-1,554 with a mean of 1,205 ticks per animal. Out of the total 6,025 ticks collected, about 82% were R. pulchellus, followed by R. pravus (about 8%) and A. gemma (5%). The other nine species of ticks accounted for only 5% of the total burdens. It is suggested that a strategic tick control method, aimed mainly at reducing the R. pulchellus burdens, with the objective of allowing a reasonable number of ticks to remain on cattle for the maintenance of endemic stability to tick-borne diseases be instituted.     

Seasonal epidemiology of ticks and aspects of cowdriosis in N'Dama village cattle in the Central Guinea savannah of Côte d'Ivoire

In the Central Guinea savannah of C?te d'Ivoire, cattle breeding started only approximately 30 years ago. The impact of parasitism on the overall health status and productivity of the trypanotolerant N'Dama cattle in this area is unknown. In close collaboration with national veterinary institutions and local farmers, we studied spectrum, burden and seasonal dynamics of ticks (including aspects of cowdriosis) on N'Dama village cattle. In a longitudinal study, three randomly selected cattle herds (traditional farming type) of one village were examined repeatedly for ticks. Spectrum, burden, seasonal epidemiology of ticks were assessed. In these traditional herds (which lack (ecto)parasite management), all animals were infested by ticks at monthly counts. Five different tick species were identified; the four genera in order of frequency were: Amblyomma (overall prevalence 96%), Boophilus (47%), Hyalomma (<1%) and Rhipicephalus (<1%). Amblyomma variegatum was the most-abundant tick on cattle in all seasons. Seroprevalence of Cowdria ruminantium was 31% (95% CI: 26, 36%). Most of the animals typically carried low tick burdens. N'Dama cattle seem well adapted to their environment and can resist the tick burdens under this traditional farming system.     

Seasonal pattern of tick load in Bunaji cattle in the subhumid zone of Nigeria

The seasonal pattern of tick load on Bunaji cattle under traditional management in northern Nigeria was observed over 12 months to investigate the possibilities of strategic use of acaricide. Ticks were removed 2-3 times weekly by hand from 16 animals, counted and the species determined. Tick load was low in the dry season (2-5 ticks per animal per week), increased after the onset of the first scattered rains, reached a peak (40 ticks per animal per week) 1 month after the beginning of the heavy rains, and declined thereafter. The dominant tick species was Amblyomma variegatum; other species found were Boophilus spp., Rhipicephalus spp. and Hyalomma spp. The low level of tick load compared with data from literature and from crossbred (Friesian-Bunaji) cattle kept in the study area suggests high tick resistance in Bunaji cattle. A biologically feasible method of controlling ticks in indigenous cattle would be twice weekly spraying with acaricide during only 2 months of the year in the early wet season to break the pronounced peak in the tick load. However, hand spraying offers no advantage over hand removal of ticks in terms of saving labour. The main advantage of strategic spraying lies in more thorough removal of ticks and possibly prevention of dermatophilosis at a lower cost than year-round use of acaricide. Knowledge of the seasonal pattern of tick load is also valuable for planning the introduction of selected stock with higher genetic potential, but higher susceptibility to tick-borne diseases than exhibited by Bunaji cattle.     

Hard ticks on one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) and their seasonal population dynamics in southeast, Iran

The primary objective of this study was to determine the diversity and intensity of ticks found on camels (Camelus dromedarius) and their seasonal population dynamics in Kerman, southeast of Iran. For this purpose, a total of 426 tick specimens were collected from 217 infested camels in southeast of Iran during activating seasons of ticks (April 2009 to March 2010). The species collected from camel were Hyalomma dromedarii (84.7%), Hyalomma marginatum (8.7%), Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum (5.4%), and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (1.2%). The highest seasonal activities occurred in summer. The ratio of male ticks was more than female ticks. H. dromedarii was the predominant tick species and accounted for 84.7% of the ticks.     

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.     

Comparative study of tick burdens in Gudali and Wakwa cattle under natural infestation in the subhumid highlands of Wakwa, Cameroon. Preliminary observations.

The relative resistance to different cattle ticks of Gudali and Wakwa cattle with different levels of Brahman breeding, grazed on natural pastures in the subhumid tropics of Wakwa, Cameroon, was assessed using pasture tick infestations. The basic design consisted of 5 young bulls of each breed from different sire herds. Tick populations were observed in Gudali and Wakwa bulls over a period of four weeks when the climate was thought to be highly favourable for the free-living stages of ticks. Counting of adult, larval and nymphal ticks was carried out in the morning of each counting day on the body surface of cattle after restraining them. Ticks were identified by species and sex. Repeated measures analysis of variance technique was used to account for time trends and breed differences. Results showed that Wakwa cattle carried slightly more ticks than Gudali cattle. However, this difference was not statistically significant. Significant within breed differences in tick counts suggested that selection for resistance to ticks, particularly Amblyomma variegatum, can be effective within each breed. The tick species recorded by order of decreasing abundance were Amblyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus lunulatus and Hyalomma spp. It was clear from this study that long-term investigations would be necessary to ascertain the extent of the differences in tick counts between these two breeds of cattle and to assess the biological mechanisms of resistance to Amblyomma variegatum as well as to estimate the heritability of tick resistance.     

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.     

An outbreak of suspected tick paralysis in one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the Sudan

An outbreak of suspected tick paralysis occurred in one-humped camels in Southern Darfur, the Sudan, between latitudes 11-12 degrees N and longitudes 24-25 degrees E, when the camels were herded in tick infested areas. It involved 251 camels of different ages, in ten herds causing 34.3% mortality. The symptoms were incoordination of movements, unsteady gait and recumbency followed by death or recovery. Hyalomma adults and/or Rhipicephalus nymphs and adults were incriminated to be the cause of the disease. Transient paralysis in a guinea pig was produced after experimental feeding of ticks. Removal of the camels from the tick infested areas and treatment against the ectoparasites with Lindane at the concentration of 0.23% contributed to controlling the disease.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XVIII. The crowned guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), an important host of immature ixodid ticks

The tick burdens of 10 crowned guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), shot at approximately 3-monthly intervals in the Mountain Zebra National Park, and of 21 crowned guinea fowl from the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve, the majority of which were shot at monthly intervals, were determined. No adult ticks were recovered from any of the guinea fowl. The birds in the Mountain Zebra National Park harboured 4 species of ixodid ticks of which Amblyomma marmoreum was the most abundant and most prevalent. Three birds also harboured Hyalomma marginatum turanicum. Six ixodid tick species were present on guinea fowl in the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve. Of these Amblyomma hebraeum was the most abundant and all the birds were infested. Most of these birds were also infested with A. marmoreum and Haemaphysalis silacea and some harboured Hyalomma marginatum rufipes. The seasonal abundance of ticks on crowned guinea fowl is discussed.     

Reliminary survey of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle in Central Equatoria State, Southern Sudan

In a preliminary survey conducted in 2005, the species composition and seasonality of ticks infesting cattle in Central Equatoria State, Southern Sudan was determined. Three locations were selected (Gumbo, Khor Rumla and Nyaing) and surveyed every 3 months. Two cattle herds in each of the three locations were visited four times during the study period. Total body collections of ticks were made from each of five cattle (Nilotic Zebu breed) kept in six different herds. Four tick genera and ten species were identified. The tick species identified were Amblyomma lepidum, Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus annulatus, Boophilus decoloratus, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus praetextatus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus group. The highest number of ticks was collected in October during the rainy season. A finding of great significance was that R. appendiculatus, vector of East Coast fever, has now firmly established itself throughout the year with possible implications for cattle production in Central Equatoria State.     

The use of herbal preparations for tick control in western Ethiopia

Information on the traditional tick control methods used in Keffa, Illubabor and Wellega Provinces in western Ethiopia was obtained from 86 veterinary clinics and 865 peasant farmers through a questionnaire survey. Latexes of Euphorbia obovalifolia and Ficus brachypoda, juice of crushed leaves of Phytolaca dodecandra and Vernonia amygdalina, fruit juice of Solanum incanum, crushed seeds of Lepidium sativum mixed with fresh cattle faeces, juice of crushed leaves and bark of Calpurnea aurea and commercially available spice of Capsicum spp. mixed with butter, were used by peasant farmers to control ticks. Preliminary in vitro efficacy tests of these plant preparations were performed on engorged female Boophilus decoloratus. Preparations of Capsicum spp., E. obovalifolia, S. incanum and F. brachypoda were found to have 30-100% killing effects. Subsequently, in vivo treatment trials of these preparations were conducted using indigenous Bos indicus cattle naturally infested with ticks. Results indicate that treatments at the rate of once per day for 5 consecutive days with the latexes of E. obovalifolia and F. brachypoda can reduce tick burdens by up to 70% on cattle.     

Predation on livestock ticks by chickens.

Chickens were shown to be natural predators of ticks. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus were recovered in large numbers from the crops and gizzards of chickens which had scavenged for 30 min-1 h among tick-infested cattle. Other ticks recovered were Amblyomma variegatum and Boophilus decoloratus. The numbers of ticks recovered ranged from 3 to 331, with an average of 81 per chicken. Cattle facilitated the predation of ticks by certain behavioural actions. Chickens also picked up both engorged and unengorged ticks seeded on vegetation, but unengorged ticks were preferred. The possibility of tick predation by chickens forming a viable biological control component in an integrated tick management system in Africa is discussed.     

Individual host variations in tick infestations of cattle in a resource-poor community

Relative resistance levels of cattle against tick infestations in the communal grazing area of Botshabelo in the south-eastern Free State were determined. The objective was to establish whether differences in resistance can be exploited to contribute to tick control methods used by small-scale farmers in resource-poor environments. Ten cows (Bos taurus crosses) between the ages of 18 months and four years were used and tick counts were conducted once a month over a period of 12 months to compare their total tick burdens. Tick burdens of the various animals were compared mutually as well as with the mean tick burden of the group as a whole. Tick numbers varied throughout the year on all individuals but some animals consistently tended to have either higher or lower numbers than the mean of the group. Tick burdens on cattle classified as having a relatively low resistance to tick infestations increased eleven-fold from January to June 1996 compared to a six-fold increase on cattle categorized as belonging to the high resistance group. Twenty-eight percent of the cattle in the total study group carried 50% of the ticks collected (60,079). It is recommended that farmers in the region visually assess B. decoloratus burdens, the most abundant tick species, and sell or cull the most susceptible animals first in their normal program of utilization of the animals. This should eventually result in the direct improvement of the overall tick resistance of their cattle herds.     

Tick diversity, abundance and seasonal dynamics in a resource-poor urban environment in the Free State Province

The objectives of this study were to determine the diversity, seasonal dynamics and abundance of ticks infesting cattle in urban, small-scale farming communities in and around Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu in the eastern Free State Province, South Africa. A total of ten cattle, ear-tagged for individual identification, were investigated monthly at each of five localities. Adult ticks were removed from the right hand side of each animal and placed in containers filled with 70% ethanol. They were subsequently identified and their numbers quantified. Immature Otobius megnini were counted but not removed. A total of 244,538 adult ticks of ten different species were collected over the 12-month study period. The tick species, in decreasing order of relative abundance, were: Boophilus decoloratus (87.26%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (6.86%), Hyalomma marginatum rufipes (2.42%), Otobius megnini (1.85%) Rhipicephalus follis (0.76%), Rhipicephalus gertrudae (0.54%), Rhipicephalus sp. (0.21%), Ixodes rubicundus (0.08%), Hyalomma truncatum (0.01%) and Margaropus winthemi (0.004%). The three most abundant species, namely B. decoloratus, R. evertsi evertsi and H. marginatum rufipes, occurred at all localities but with significant differences in abundance. M. winthemi ticks occurred only in the Thaba Nchu area and were not found at any of the there localities in Botshabelo. Significant differences in tick burdens between the six warm months (September to February) and the six cooler months (March to August) were found for most of the species recorded. Boophilus decoloratus occurred in significantly higher numbers in autumn (March to May) and winter (June to August) compared to spring (September to November) and summer (December to February), with 76.8% of the total B. decoloratus burden occurring during the cooler months.     

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.     

Ticks on livestock in Barbados

Cattle, sheep, goats, and horses in most areas of Barbados were examined for ticks. About 68% of the cattle, mostly Holstein dairy cows, and 23% of the sheep, mostly purebred or crossbred black belly sheep, were infested with the southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Canestrini), a vector of bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis. About 13% of the horses were infested with the tropical horse tick, Anocentor nitens (Neumann), a vector of equine babesiosis. Cattle owners used a variety of acaricides as dusts, sprays, or washes on their cattle for the control of ticks.     

A survey of ixodid ticks feeding on cattle and prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in the Black Sea region of Turkey

The study reports the frequency of infestation and the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in feeding adult ticks detached from cattle in two climatic zones of the Black Sea region of Turkey. A total of 2160 adult ticks were collected during 2007-2008. Of these, 1062 were randomly selected, divided into 224 pools, and tested for the presence of bovine Theileria, Babesia, and Anaplasma species. Eleven tick species were recognized on cattle in the study. Hyalomma marginatum was widely disrubuted in the semi-arid bioclimatic zone, but few specimens were collected in the humid bioclimatic zone. The most prevalent tick species in the humid climatic zone was Ixodes ricinus. Infection rates were calculated as the maximum likelihood estimation with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, 4% (CI 2.87-5.44) of 224 tick pools were found to be positive for the pathoges by Reverse line blot. Maximum likelihood estimation of the infection rate varied among tick species, ranging from 2.68% (CI 0.16-12.68) in Haemaphysalis sulcata to 10.49% (CI 4.07-23.66) in Rhipicephalus bursa. The most prevalent tick-borne pathogen was Anaplasma phagocytophilum at 6.78% (CI 3.41-12.18) followed by A. centrale (6.56%, CI 0.42-31.47), Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. (3.61%, CI 1.99-6.06), Babesia spp. (3.33%, CI 1.65-6.03), and T. buffeli/orientalis (2.71%, CI 0.73-7.18). Sequencing results indicated that Babesia spp. shared 99% to 100% similarity with the unnamed Babesia sp. Kashi 1 and 2, Babesia sp. Kayseri 1 and Babesia sp.CS58. Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. were 98% and 100% identical to Ehrlichia canis and Ehrlichia sp. Omatjenne strain, respectively.