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Latif B, Naeem M, Khan MN, Bilal K, Ibenmoussa S, Bourhia M, Bin Jardan YA, Farooq M, Iqbal F. Identification and prevalence of ticks infesting small ruminants of Fort Munro region in South Punjab, Pakistan. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 53:101069. [PMID: 39025548 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Fort Munro is a hill station in Southern Punjab the residents of whom are heavily dependent upon livestock for their living but ticks are a big treat for the livestock. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the tick infestation among the small ruminants of Fort Munro. Ticks (N = 273) were collected from 333 animals (165 goats and 168 sheep) during August and September 2022. Two tick genera Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus were identified. Rhipicephalus was most abundant tick genera (78.02%) followed by Hyalomma (21.98%).Tick distribution significantly varied with the host: Rhipicephalus ticks were more frequently infesting goats while Hyalomma were more common on sheep. For both hosts, tick infestation varied with the sampling sites and male animals were significantly more infested than females. Five tick species were infesting goats with the following relative abundance: Rhipicephalus (R.) senegalensis (39.20%) > R. sanguineus (36.8%) > R. appendiculatus (10.40%) > R. turanicus (8%) > R. guilhoni (5.6%). Rhipicephalus senegalensis (41.22%) was also the most common tick species infesting sheep followed by Hyalomma (H.) marginatum (29.73%), R. guilhoni (18.24%), H. dromedarii (5.41%) and H. impeltatum (5.41%). Male ticks very more abundantly on both goats and sheep than female. Distribution of Hyalomma species also varied between the sampling sites. In conclusion, we are reporting the infestation of 3 Hyalomma and 5 Rhipicephalus in small ruminants of Fort Munro. The data generated through this study will help in developing appropriate tick control in the study area and will add to the existing knowledge regarding tick species that are infesting the small ruminants of Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basat Latif
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Naeem
- Jiujiang Medical University, Jiangxi Province, Jiujiang City, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Khan
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - Komal Bilal
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan
| | - Samir Ibenmoussa
- Laboratory of Therapeutic and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Montpellier, Montpellier 34000, France
| | - Mohammed Bourhia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ibn Zohr University, Laayoune 70000, Morocco
| | - Yousef A Bin Jardan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Muhammad Farooq
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan.
| | - Furhan Iqbal
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
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Liu Y, Zhang F, Hawkins JL, Elder JR, Baranzoni GM, Huang Z, Fratamico PM, Parveen S. Comparative Gene Expression Analysis of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 in Ground Chicken Extract and Brain Heart Infusion Broth. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1461. [PMID: 39065229 PMCID: PMC11279075 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Salmonella enterica Typhimurium DT104 (S. Typhimurium DT104) is an important foodborne pathogen that is associated with poultry and poultry products. Currently, there is very little information on the underlying molecular mechanisms that allow DT104 to survive and propagate in poultry meat and the poultry processing environment. The current study assessed the global gene expression of DT104 in ground chicken extract (GCE) compared to brain heart infusion (BHI) medium using RNA-Seq technology. DT104 was grown to the early stationary phase (ESP), inoculated into GCE or BHI, and then re-grown to the log phase before RNA was extracted and transcripts were quantified by RNA-Seq. Gene expression for DT104 grown in GCE was then compared to that of DT104 grown in BHI for samples grown to the ESP. Growth in GCE resulted in the up-regulated expression of genes related to translation, carnitine metabolism (23-283-fold change), and cobalamin (vitamin B12) biosynthesis (14-fold change). In particular, the presence of carnitine in chicken meat, and thus, in GCE, which lacks carbohydrates, may allow Salmonella to utilize this compound as a carbon and nitrogen source. This study demonstrates that RNA-Seq data can provide a comprehensive analysis of DT104 gene expression in a food model for poultry products. This study also provides additional evidence for the importance of metabolic adaptation in the ability of S. enterica to successfully adapt to and occupy niches outside of its host and provides potential targets that could be used to develop intervention strategies to control Salmonella in poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Liu
- Molecular Characterization of Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA (G.M.B.)
| | - Fangyuan Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA
| | - Jabari L. Hawkins
- Food and Agricultural Sciences Graduate Program, Food and Resource Sciences, U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA
| | - Jake R. Elder
- Molecular Characterization of Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA (G.M.B.)
| | - Gian Marco Baranzoni
- Molecular Characterization of Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA (G.M.B.)
| | - Zuyi Huang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA
| | - Pina M. Fratamico
- Molecular Characterization of Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit, Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA (G.M.B.)
| | - Salina Parveen
- Food and Agricultural Sciences Graduate Program, Food and Resource Sciences, U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA
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Malik A, Afshan K, Okla MK, Saleh IA, Razzaq A, Hussain M, Firasat S, Lika E, Fuentes MV. Revealing tick diversity: Chemical profiling and dynamics in scanning microscopy and molecular phylogenetics. Microsc Res Tech 2024. [PMID: 38884334 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the evolutionary trajectories of Rhipicephalus ticks (Ixodidae) through the interpretation of molecular phylogenetics, elucidating their chromatographic spectrum. The use of advanced chromatographic tools in this study explored the dynamics chemical profiling, providing valuable insights into the evolutionary history and ecological adaptations. Prevalence of Rhipicephalus ticks was 4.5% in sheep and 3.9% in goats. The ITS2 sequence of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus (OK642408) and Rhipicephalus microplus (OK642409) form a distinct clade with sequences from other countries. The 16S rRNA sequences of R. sanguineus (OK560870) clustered with sequences form three lineages, tropical, temperate, and south-eastern. The Cox I gene-identified Rhipicephalus turanicus (OK623472) and R. microplus (OK623463) form separate clades with sequences. The HPLC chromatogram of tick samples reveals a diverse array of identified hydrocarbons, explained the complex chemical composition of their exoskeletons. This analytical approach provides valuable insights into the specific hydrocarbon profiles, allowing for potential applications in species differentiation, ecological studies, and a deeper understanding of the functional roles played by hydrocarbon compounds in tick physiology. The findings revealed the potential of applying molecular phylogenetics tools with chromatography not only to enhance our understanding of tick evolution but also to inform strategies for disease control and management in regions where Rhipicephalus ticks (Ixodidae) are endemic. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Chemical mapping utilizing advanced chromatographic techniques. Scanning microscopic insights high-resolution scanning tool to observe structural and morphological features of ticks at a molecular level. Molecular phylogeny data elucidate the evolutionary relationships among tick species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Malik
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Kiran Afshan
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad K Okla
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Abdul Razzaq
- Animal Sciences Division, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Munib Hussain
- Animal Sciences Division, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sabika Firasat
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Erinda Lika
- Department of Preclinical Subject, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Màrius Vicent Fuentes
- Departament de Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de València, València, Spain
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Abduch NG, Reolon HG, Ligori VA, Silva RMDO, Veríssimo CJ, Paz CCP, Stafuzza NB. Resistance to natural tick infestation varies with age and coat and hair traits in a tropically adapted beef cattle breed. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 50:101017. [PMID: 38644040 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus causes considerable livestock production losses. Knowledge of the traits that influence tick resistance contributes to the development of breeding strategies designed to improve herd productivity. Within this context, this study evaluated the resistance of Caracu, a tropically adapted cattle breed, to R. microplus. Tick count, hair length, coat thickness, and coat color were evaluated in 202 naturally tick-infested females (cows and heifers) over a period of 18 months. Blood samples were collected from all animals during the winter season for hematological analysis. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations, generalized linear models, and principal component analysis. Correlation coefficients of tick count with coat color, coat thickness, and hair length were estimated within each season. Hematological parameters were only included in the winter season analysis and were analyzed by the restricted maximum likelihood method using log-transformed data. No differences in blood parameters were observed between animals with and without ticks. However, tick count was negatively correlated with erythrocytes (-0.29) and hematocrit (-0.24) and positively correlated with mean corpuscular hemoglobin (0.21) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (0.25). These findings suggest that higher tick counts lead to a decrease in erythrocytes but also to an increase in the amount of hemoglobin per erythrocyte, which could reduce the damage caused by low erythrocyte levels due to tick hematophagy, delaying or preventing anemia. Although tick infestation on pasture was demonstrated by the infestation of all staff members during herd management, none of the animals exhibited high tick counts, providing evidence of resistance of Caracu animals to R. microplus. Tick infestation was influenced by age class (cows > heifers), season (spring and summer > fall and winter), coat thickness (>1.5 mm > <1.5 mm), and hair length (>6 mm > <6 mm). Three components were extracted by principal component analysis, which accounted for 69.46% of data variance. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of efficient strategies aimed at reducing economic losses due to tick infestation and could be applied in animal breeding to select for tick resistance traits, reducing chemical control strategies and consequently improving sustainable livestock production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalya Gardezani Abduch
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, SP 140349-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Viviane Andrade Ligori
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Animal Science Institute (IZ), Sertaozinho, SP 14160-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Cecília José Veríssimo
- Sao Paulo Agency of Agribusiness and Technology, Animal Science Institute (IZ), Nova Odessa, SP 13380-011, Brazil.
| | - Claudia Cristina Paro Paz
- Department of Genetics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School (FMRP), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, SP 140349-900, Brazil; Sustainable Livestock Research Center, Animal Science Institute, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP 15130-000, Brazil
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Addo SO, Bentil RE, Mosore MT, Behene E, Adinkrah J, Tagoe J, Yeboah C, Baako BOA, Atibila D, Kwarteng SA, Poku-Asante K, Owusu-Darbo E, Asoala V, Mingle DL, Nyarko EO, Fox AT, Letizia AG, William JD, Nimo-Paintsil S, Harwood JF, Dadzie SK. Risk factors affecting the feeding site predilection of ticks on cattle in Ghana. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2024; 92:835-850. [PMID: 38578579 PMCID: PMC11065925 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-024-00906-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Ticks are important disease vectors affecting animal health and causing substantial economic loss, especially in the tropics and subtropics. To examine the tick burden of cattle and associated risk factors for tick infestation, ticks were collected from 388 cattle within five regions in Ghana. Most of the cattle were males (50.3%) and generally older than 3 years (65%). Of the animals sampled, 2187 ticks were collected with a mean tick burden of 5.6 ticks per cattle, and the average tick burden on the udder/scrotum being significantly higher than in the anal region (Generalized Linear Mix Model [GLMM], p = 0.01197). The tick species identified were predominantly Amblyomma variegatum (42.6%) and Hyalomma rufipes (26.2%). High proportions of cattle examined were found to have A. variegatum infesting the udder/scrotum. Furthermore, H. rufipes infested mostly the anal region compared to other examined body parts (OR 14.8, 95% CI 8.6-25.4, p < 0.001). Using the GLMM, tick abundance was found to be significantly higher in cattle older than 3 years. The tick burden in the udder/scrotum was higher than that from the chest and leg/thigh of the cattle (GLMM, p < 0.05). The tick burden at the anal region was also significantly higher than the leg/thigh and chest. This study indicates that the preferred attachment sites of ticks on cattle are species-dependent and effective treatment with acaricides should take into consideration the udder/scrotum and anal regions as well as prioritizing older cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Offei Addo
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit EURAFCENT, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Ronald Essah Bentil
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit EURAFCENT, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mba-Tihssommah Mosore
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit EURAFCENT, Accra, Ghana
| | - Eric Behene
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit EURAFCENT, Accra, Ghana
| | - Julian Adinkrah
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit EURAFCENT, Accra, Ghana
| | - Janice Tagoe
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit EURAFCENT, Accra, Ghana
| | - Clara Yeboah
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit EURAFCENT, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Dorcas Atibila
- Entomology Unit, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kintampo Health Research Centre, Kintampo, Ghana
| | - Sandra Abankwa Kwarteng
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Kwaku Poku-Asante
- Entomology Unit, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kintampo Health Research Centre, Kintampo, Ghana
| | - Ellis Owusu-Darbo
- School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Victor Asoala
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Upper East Region, Ghana
| | - Daniel Lartei Mingle
- Public Health Division, 37 Military Hospital, Ghana Armed Forces Medical Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Edward Owusu Nyarko
- Public Health Division, 37 Military Hospital, Ghana Armed Forces Medical Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Anne T Fox
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit EURAFCENT, Accra, Ghana
| | - Andrew G Letizia
- Infectious Diseases Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Samuel Kweku Dadzie
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
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Kebzai F, Ashraf K, Rehman MU, Akbar H, Avais M. Prevalence and associated risk factors of ixodid tick species infesting cattle and sheep in Balochistan, Pakistan. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 49:100993. [PMID: 38462299 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.100993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Tick infestation poses a serious threat to animal health, leading to significant losses in terms of vector-borne disease transmission, reduced live weight, lower quality hides, decreased milk production, and impaired reproduction in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, seasonal variation, distribution pattern, and associated risk factors of Ixodid family tick species in the cattle and sheep population of three different districts in Balochistan, Pakistan. This study employed a convenient sampling method, collecting 4080 adult ticks from 816 cattle and sheep of various breeds, ages, and sexes. Specific morphological keys were used to identify the ticks up to the genus and species level. Among cattle, the highest prevalence was recorded for R. (B) annulatus (27.01%), followed by R. (B) microplus (24.02%), and H. anatolicum (20.54%). H. dromedarii (5.29%) was the least prevalent species observed in cattle. In the sheep population, H. anatolicum (30.34%) showed the highest prevalence, followed by H. marginatium (22.99%), and R. (B) annulatus (20.88%). H. dromedarii (6.96%) was the least prevalent species observed in sheep. The prevalence of R. (B) decoloratus, H. anatolicum and H. dromedarii was found to be significantly associated (P < 0.05) with the breed, age, and sex of both cattle and sheep. However, the presence of R. (B) annulatus, R. (B) microplus and H. marginatium tick species showed no significant association (P > 0.05) with these factors. In addition, the prevalence of ticks was higher in younger, female, and crossbred Friesian cattle compared to adults, males, and other breeds. Conversely, the prevalence of ticks was higher in adult, female and Hernai breed of sheep in the studied area. In conclusion, R. (B) annulatus and H. anatolicum are the dominant tick species infesting the cattle and sheep population in Balochistan. Consequently, this study provides valuable insights for developing practical and effective control measures against ticks and tick-borne diseases in the sheep and cattle population of Balochistan, Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fareeda Kebzai
- Department of Parasitology, University of veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Kamran Ashraf
- Department of Parasitology, University of veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Mujeeb Ur Rehman
- Livestock & Dairy Development Department Balochistan, Quetta 87500, Pakistan; Algal Bioactives & Bioproducts, State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, College of Oceanology, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, Hainan, China.
| | - Haroon Akbar
- Department of Parasitology, University of veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Avais
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
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Nasirian H. Hard Tick Species Parasitism Levels in Domestic Ruminants with Their Distribution and Role as Vectors: A Detailed Global Meta-analysis and Systematic Review. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1-105. [PMID: 37987883 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00724-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This comprehensive global meta-analysis reviews the parasitism levels of tick genera and species, life stages, seasonality, attachment sites, the global mean ranks of tick species parasitism rates and records, and their distribution and role as vectors. METHODS From the 418 papers identified, 390 papers were selected to become part of the study. RESULTS The genera recorded as infesting domestic ruminants were Rhipicephalus (42 species), Haemaphysalis (32 species), Hyalomma (19 species), Amblyomma (18 species), Ixodes (10 species), Dermacentor (8 species), Margaropus and Nosomma (1 species). Globally, domestic ruminants are more infested by adult females and males than by the nymphal and larval stages of the tick species. The global tick species parasitism levels at the attachment sites of domestic ruminants were, in order, tail and anal region, neck and dewlap, scrotum or udder, ear region, thigh and abdomen, and dorsal surface. CONCLUSIONS Among 131 species of eight genera of hard ticks recorded infesting domestic ruminants, 42 species had mean ranks of tick species parasitism rates up to 10%, and 37 species had mean ranks of tick species parasitism up to 10 records. Briefly, the higher the indexes of tick species parasitism rates and records, the more important their role as vectors. In addition, the majority of them are found among tick species-infested humans with nearly high ranks of tick species parasitism rates and records that double their medical, veterinary, and zoonotic importance to be the most common vectors and reservoirs of bacterial, protozoan, and viral pathogenic microorganisms, causing severe infectious diseases, and as a result, can be more dangerous to humans and domestic ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Nasirian
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
- Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Valente D, Carolino N, Gomes J, Coelho AC, Espadinha P, Pais J, Carolino I. A study of knowledge, attitudes, and practices on ticks and tick-borne diseases of cattle among breeders of two bovine Portuguese autochthonous breeds. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 48:100989. [PMID: 38316511 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.100989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Beef cattle production in Portugal is an important sector of national agricultural production, with half of the herd being in the Alentejo region. Despite this, animal health is essential for its productivity, which may be compromised by ticks and tick-borne diseases. So far, no study has been conducted in Portugal to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) on ticks and tick-borne diseases in cattle, which the authors are aware of. This type of questionnaire is a very useful tool in the development and application of effective and sustainable prevention and control measures. Therefore, a KAP questionnaire was applied to 44 cattle breeders of autochthonous Portuguese breeds, namely 14 breeders of the Alentejana breed and 30 of the Mertolenga breed, between January 1 and May 9, 2023. Based on the analysis criteria of these surveys, 64% of the Alentejana breeders and 63% of the Mertolenga breeders have an average level of knowledge about ticks and tick-borne diseases, and 21% of the Alentejana breeders and 33% of the Mertolenga breeders have a high level of knowledge. Although only 21.4% of the Alentejana and 36.7% of the Mertolenga breeders consider tick infestation as a major animal health problem, 71.4% of the Alentejana and 63.3% of breeders of the Mertolenga state that one of the main reasons for veterinary consultations on their farm is deworming of animals, and 92.9% of breeders of the Alentejana and 96.7% of breeders of the Mertolenga refer the use of dewormers as a strategy to control tick infestation. The results of this study contribute to highlighting the importance of correcting some identified knowledge gaps and improving knowledge, especially on the life cycle of this parasite, its local distribution and seasonality, resistance to acaricides, and alternative control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Valente
- Centro de Investigação Vasco da Gama, Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama, Coimbra 3020-210, Portugal; Escola de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal.
| | - Nuno Carolino
- Centro de Investigação Vasco da Gama, Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama, Coimbra 3020-210, Portugal; Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1300-477, Portugal; Laboratório Associado para a Ciência Animal e Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1300-477, Portugal; Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Polo de Inovação da Fonte Boa-Estação Zootécnica Nacional, Santarém 2005-424, Portugal
| | - Jacinto Gomes
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1300-477, Portugal; Laboratório Associado para a Ciência Animal e Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1300-477, Portugal; Escola Superior Agrária de Elvas, Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre, Elvas 7350-092, Portugal
| | - Ana Cláudia Coelho
- Escola de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, Vila Real 5000-801, Portugal; Laboratório Associado para a Ciência Animal e Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1300-477, Portugal
| | - Pedro Espadinha
- Associação de Criadores de Bovinos da Raça Alentejana, Monforte Herdade da Coutada Real - Assumar, Assumar 7450-051, Portugal
| | - José Pais
- Associação de Criadores de Bovinos Mertolengos, Évora 7006-806, Portugal
| | - Inês Carolino
- Centro de Investigação Vasco da Gama, Escola Universitária Vasco da Gama, Coimbra 3020-210, Portugal; Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Polo de Inovação da Fonte Boa-Estação Zootécnica Nacional, Santarém 2005-424, Portugal; Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1349-017, Portugal
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Wang D, Meng F, Zhang X, Xin Z, Wei L. Distribution characteristics and influencing factors of Haemaphysalis longicornis around goat sheds in Jinan city, East China. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2024; 92:297-305. [PMID: 38351236 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00898-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
As one of the most important disease vectors worldwide, ticks can transmit a number of pathogenic organisms to humans and domestic animals and cause a variety of important natural focal diseases and zoonoses. Domestic livestock play a vital role in the dispersal of ticks from the field environment to the human settlement, contributing to the prevalence of tick-borne diseases. Identification of the tick control region could contribute a vital role in strategic planning and cost-effective tick control measures. However, little is known about the spatial distribution characteristics of ticks around livestock sheds, which will lead to abusage and overuse of insecticides. Therefore, this study aimed to explore spatial distribution characteristics and correlation factors of ticks around goat sheds. A total of 3898 ticks were collected from eight goat sheds from April to June in Jinan city. All the sampled ticks belonged to the same species, namely Haemaphysalis longicornis, and 88.8% of them were nymphs. A significant positive correlation was noted between free-living ticks and parasitic ticks (r = 0.411, P < 0.001). However, there was a significant negative correlation between number of free-living ticks and distance from the goat sheds (r = -0.622, P < 0.001). Within 20 m from the goat sheds, 2211 ticks were collected respectively, representing 56.7% of the total free-living ticks. At a distance of 30 m, 57.6% decline in the tick density was found with a significant difference (q = 5.534, P < 0.001). In conclusion, focusing control efforts near the goat sheds should be recommend for tick prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wang
- Department of Vector Biology and Control, Jinan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 2, Weiliu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, P.R. China
| | - Fange Meng
- Department of Vector Biology and Control, Jinan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 2, Weiliu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Vector Biology and Control, Jinan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 2, Weiliu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Xin
- Department of Vector Biology and Control, Jinan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 2, Weiliu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, P.R. China
| | - Ling Wei
- Department of Vector Biology and Control, Jinan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 2, Weiliu Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, P.R. China.
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Offei Addo S, Essah Bentil R, Olivia Ama Baako B, Ansah-Owusu J, Nii Laryea Tawiah-Mensah C, Behene E, Asoala V, Dunford JC, Asiedu Larbi J, Kweku Baidoo P, David Wilson M, Diclaro JW, Dadzie SK. Spatial and Seasonal Patterns of Tick Infestations in Kassena-Nankana Livestock. Vet Med Int 2024; 2024:8889907. [PMID: 38234318 PMCID: PMC10791324 DOI: 10.1155/2024/8889907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The ability of ticks to adapt to different ecological zones, coupled with the spread of infectious pathogens negatively affects livestock production and thus, there is a need for better control strategies. However, control measures within a geographical region can only be effective if there is available information on tick population dynamics and ecology. This study focused on ticks infesting livestock in the Kassena-Nankana Districts of the Upper East Region of Ghana. The ticks were morphologically identified, variables such as season, animal host, and predilection sites were recorded, and the data were analyzed using STATA version 13. Out of 448 livestock examined, tick infestation in cattle was (78.60%), followed by sheep (25%) and goats (5.88%). A total of 1,550 ticks including nymphs (303) and adults (1,247) were collected. Adult ticks were found to be significantly associated with season (p < 0.001), with a high burden in the wet season. The nymph burden and body parts of livestock hosts were significantly associated with more nymphs collected from male animals than females (p < 0.001). Three genera of ticks, Amblyomma (62.97%), Hyalomma (18.71%), and Rhipicephalus (18.32%) were morphologically identified with the most predominant tick species recorded as Amblyomma variegatum (62.97%). Matured A. variegatum was sampled primarily in the wet season with their predilection site as the udder/scrotum (p < 0.001). However, adult Hyalomma truncatum was observed to have a significant association with the anal region (p < 0.001). Findings from this study are essential for formulating tick control measures to prevent the spread of infectious pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Offei Addo
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ronald Essah Bentil
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Jane Ansah-Owusu
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Eric Behene
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Victor Asoala
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Upper East Region, Ghana
| | - James C. Dunford
- Navy Entomology Center of Excellence, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
- Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - John Asiedu Larbi
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Philip Kweku Baidoo
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Michael David Wilson
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Joseph W. Diclaro
- Navy Entomology Center of Excellence, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Detachment, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Samuel K. Dadzie
- Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Velusamy R, Ponnudurai G, Alagesan A, Rani N, Kolte SW, Rubinibala B. Epidemiology and molecular characterization of Theileria annulata in ticks collected from cattle in the central part of Tamil Nadu, India. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:3077-3086. [PMID: 37831206 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07998-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne diseases are the most common in cattle in the tropical and subtropical regions of India and lead to substantial economic losses to small and marginal farmers. This study aimed to identify the diverse species of ticks infesting cattle in the central part of Tamil Nadu, India, and to assess the prevalence of Theileria annulata infection in various species of ticks through PCR. Out of 123 cross-bred and 105 native breed cattle examined for tick infestation, 40 (18%) and 29 (12.7%) cattle were infested with Ixodid ticks, respectively. The most prevalent tick species identified was Rhipicephalus microplus (n=589), followed by Hyalomma anatolicum (n=532), Hyalomma marginatum (n=145), Haemaphysalis intermedia (n=79), and Rhipicephalus haemophysaloides (n=1) found in the study area. The prevalence and intensity of the tick infestation were found to be higher in cross-bred (71.04%) than native breed cattle (28.96%), and there was no significant difference between the studied breeds (chi-square value =24; df =20; p value =0.24) was observed. However, a significant difference in the H. anatolicum tick infestation was observed between the Cauvery Delta (14.30%) and the North-Western (20%) zones of Tamil Nadu (p<0.05). DNA fragments of 193 bp derived from 18S rRNA gene sequences of T. annulata were amplified using species-specific primers. Of these, 16 out of 37 (43.2%) and 10 out of 39 (29%) pooled samples of H. anatolicum and 4 out of 18 (22.2%) and 1 out of 5 (20%) pooled samples of H. marginatum were found positive for T. annulata from the Cauvery Delta and North-Western zones, respectively. R. microplus, H. intermedia, and R. haemaphysaloides from these regions were negative. These findings confirm that H. anatolicum (52.17%) is the predominant vector for T.annulata rather than H. marginatum (18.84%), and the PCR is a useful method of determining the infection rates in ticks collected from animals carrying low levels of T. annulata piroplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rangasamy Velusamy
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary College and Research Institute (TANUVAS), Orathanadu, 614 625, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gurusamy Ponnudurai
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary College and Research Institute (TANUVAS), Namakkal, 637 002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Alagarsamy Alagesan
- Poultry Disease Diagnosis and Surveillance Laboratory, Veterinary College and Research Institute Campus (TANUVAS), Namakkal, 637 002, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Natarajan Rani
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary College and Research Institute (TANUVAS), Namakkal, 637 002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sunil W Kolte
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Nagpur Veterinary College, Seminary Hills, Nagpur, 440 006, Maharashtra, India
| | - Balan Rubinibala
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Madras Veterinary College (TANUVAS), Chennai, 600 007, Tamil Nadu, India
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Belete W, Mekuria S. Prevalence, Species Identification, and Associated Risk Factor Ixodid Tick Infestation of Cattle in Selamago District Southern Ethiopia. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS 2023; 17:11786302231211076. [PMID: 38021103 PMCID: PMC10655643 DOI: 10.1177/11786302231211076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Ticks are blood-sucking external parasites of livestock and humans; and can transmit pathogens beyond their direct effect during biting. Ticks are distributed in different agro-ecological zones. The study's objectives were to determine the species of ixodid ticks, estimate prevalence, and link the presumptive risk variables. Material and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to June 2023 in Selamago district, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 384 cattle managed under extensive grazing systems were selected proportionally based on cattle population, from 3 kebeles, which is the lowest administrative structure of government, and individual animals were selected using systematic random sampling techniques at an interval of 5 animals; as the results, 153, 128, and 103 cattle were selected from Hana, Marsiyo, and Geyo kebeles, respectively. Results 262 animals (68.2%) were found to be infested with one or more tick species. In this study, there was a statistically significant difference in prevalence between sexes and age groups (P < .05). A higher prevalence was recorded in female and adult cattle than respective group. A total of 579 ticks were collected; 4 genera and 7 tick species were identified. As a result, Ambylomma variegatum, Amblyomma gemma, Amblyomma lepidum, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Rhipicephalus pulchellus, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, and Hyalomma truncatum were observed. Among the species identified in the study area, Ambylomma variegatum was the most abundant tick (32.3%) and Hy. truncatum was the least prevalent (4.3%). Ticks on animals' body were recovered more dominantly around the perineum region, udder, scrotum, and dewlap, followed by the belly, head, and neck. Male ticks were more frequently encountered than females. Conclusion The finding shows a high tick infestation, and adult age groups were more affected and had a serious problem. Hence, prompt control measures are required to rescue the livelihood of the community and economic loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Worku Belete
- Unit of Clinical Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Solomon Mekuria
- Unit of Clinical Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
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Sajid MS, Iqbal A, Rizwan HM, Kausar A, Tahir UB, Younus M, Maqbool M, Siddique RM, Fouad D, Ataya FS. Guardians of the Herd: Molecular Surveillance of Tick Vectors Uncovers Theileriosis Perils in Large Ruminants. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2684. [PMID: 38004696 PMCID: PMC10672939 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Theileria sp. (Piroplasmida: Theileriidae) is one of the most widely known infections transmitted by hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and has been linked to significant economic losses across the globe. The study's main emphasis was theileriosis, a disease that is common in Pakistan and has an incidence ranging from 0.6% to 33%. Through DNA screening of the vector ticks and host blood, this study sought to determine the risk of tick-borne theileriosis in populations of buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) and cattle (Bos indicus) in Toba Tek Singh district of Punjab, Pakistan. Identified tick species include Hyalomma anatolicum (35.4%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (30.2%), and R. sanguineus (25%). Tick specimens were collected from animals and their respective microenvironments. PCR assays targeting Theileria annulata were used to investigate the infection in the DNA extracted from the collected blood samples from large ruminants and salivary glands (SGs) of the Hyalomma ticks. The 18S rRNA of T. annulata was amplified using specific primers. Positive T. annulata amplicons were sequenced and verified using BLAST analysis. Overall, 50% of SGs contained T. annulate DNA. Female ticks, and those collected from cattle and from riverine environments had significantly higher (p < 0.05) rates of Theileria infection in their acini. Overall prevalence of Theileria infection was 35.9% in blood collected from large ruminants. Cattle had a substantially greater frequency of bovine theileriosis (43.2%) than buffalos (28.7%). Age and sex of large ruminants were significantly positively associated (p < 0.05) with Theileria infection. Furthermore, compared to non-riverine cattle (35%) and buffalo (19.5%), riverine cattle (52.2%) and buffalo (36.2%) showed a considerably higher prevalence. The results of this study, which is the first in Pakistan to examine the blood of large ruminants and vectorial function of Ixodid ticks in the transmission of T. annulata along with associated risk factors, offer an important insight for risk assessment of Theileria infection in livestock using vectorial infectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Sohail Sajid
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (U.B.T.); (M.M.)
| | - Asif Iqbal
- Department of Parasitology, Riphah College of Veterinary Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (A.I.); (R.M.S.)
| | - Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan
- Section of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, Khan Bahadur Chaudhary Mushtaq Ahmad College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Narowal, Sub Campus UVAS, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Asma Kausar
- Livestock and Dairy Development (L&DD), Veterinary Research Institute, Lahore 54080, Pakistan;
| | - Urfa Bin Tahir
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (U.B.T.); (M.M.)
- Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Muhammad Younus
- Section of Pathology, Department of Pathobiology, Khan Bahadur Chaudhary Mushtaq Ahmad College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Narowal, Sub Campus UVAS, Lahore 54000, Pakistan;
| | - Mahvish Maqbool
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (U.B.T.); (M.M.)
| | - Rao Muhammad Siddique
- Department of Parasitology, Riphah College of Veterinary Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan; (A.I.); (R.M.S.)
| | - Dalia Fouad
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 22452, Riyadh 11459, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Farid Shokry Ataya
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
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Magesa WS, Haji I, Kinimi E, Nzalawahe JS, Kazwala R. Distribution and molecular identification of ixodid ticks infesting cattle in Kilombero and Iringa Districts, Tanzania. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:121. [PMID: 37573333 PMCID: PMC10422822 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03652-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hard ticks infesting cattle are vectors of Tick-borne diseases that causes major public health problems and considerable socioeconomic losses to the livestock industry in tropical and subtropical countries. A repeated cross-sectional study was carried out by collecting ticks on cattle during the wet and dry seasons from January to August 2021 in order to determine hard tick prevalence, distribution, and abundance on cattle in Kilombero and Iringa Districts of Tanzania. The collected ticks were identified morphologically using published morphological keys under a stereomicroscope and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. RESULTS Out of 740 examined cattle, 304, (41.08%) were infested with ticks. In total, 1,780 ticks were counted on one side of the animal's body and doubled, whereby resulting in a total of 3,560 ticks were recorded. Individual tick burden ranged from n = 2 to 82 ticks per animal, with a mean tick burden of n = 11.7 ± 0.68 per animal. A total of 1,889 ticks were collected from infected cattle including 109 additional ticks observed while collecting ticks based on the animal's posture when restrained to the ground. Out of 1,889 ticks, nine species from three genera were identified morphologically: 1,377 fit in the genus Rhipicephalus, 459 to the genus of Amblyomma, and 53 to the genus Hyalomma. Rhipicephalus microplus was the most prevalent (n = 909, 48.1%), followed by Rhipicephalus evertsi (n = 310, 16.4%), Amblyomma lepidum (n = 310, 16.4%), Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (n = 140, 7.4%), Amblyomma gemma (n = 120, 6.4%), Hyalomma rufipes (n = 50, 2.6%), Amblyomma variegatum (n = 29, 1.5%), Rhipicephalus decoloratus (n = 18, 1.0%), while the least common was Hyalomma albiparmatum (n = 3, 0.2%). Tick diversity was higher in Iringa compared to Kilombero District. Tick prevalence was higher in wet season (n = 148, 41.11%). Ticks were widely distributed in different parts of the host body, with the highest distribution on zone 4 (n = 1,060, 56.11%), which includes groin, flank, abdomen, and around inner thigh of the hind legs and the lowest distribution on zone 2 (n = 14, 0.74%), which includes the back surface of the body. Both Amblyomma lepidum and Rhipicephalus microplus species were found in all the five body zones, and with the highest proportions recorded on zone 4: A. lepidum (n = 209, 67.42%) and R. microplus (n = 714, 78.55%). The nine tick species identified morphologically were also confirmed using molecular methods. However, during sequencing, two species (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and R. decoloratus) had poor quality sequences and were excluded from the sequence analysis. Sequencing results indicated high nucleotide identity (96-100%) with sequences available in GenBank and Barcode of Life Database (BOLD). The phylogenetic analysis of partial mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA gene sequences of ticks were used to confirm the morphological identification. CONCLUSION The results showed a high burden of tick infestation on cattle, which could reduce animal production and potentially increase the risk of tick-borne diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the epidemiological and molecular aspects of various tick species in other regions of Tanzania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter S Magesa
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania.
| | - Isihaka Haji
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Edson Kinimi
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3017, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Jahashi S Nzalawahe
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3019, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Rudovick Kazwala
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3021, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Rajput M, Sajid MS, Imran M, Javed MT, Sparagano OA. A Participatory Approach in Assessing the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) of Stakeholders and Livestock Owners about Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases from Sindh, Pakistan. Pathogens 2023; 12:800. [PMID: 37375490 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) are responsible for significant losses in terms of treatment costs, decreased productivity (such as milk and meat), reduced reproductive ability, and financial crisis to livestock owners. In Pakistan, it is crucial to periodically assess the risk of TTBDs and ecological factors, potential causes of acaricidal resistance in tick fauna, and the intensive increase in the spread of TTBDs. Participatory epidemiological approaches are key to assessing the livestock owners' and stakeholders' knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) about TTBDs. The current study determined the KAP about ticks and tick-borne diseases of respondents from Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 240 respondents were interviewed from different ecological zones: among them, 42.5% (n = 102) of the respondents practiced the manual removal of ticks from animals, while acaricide usage was indicated by 137 respondents (57.0%) as occurring sometimes, 50 (20.8%) monthly, 41 (17.0%) fortnightly, and 12 (5%) weekly, during the peak infestation season. Ticks were 2.6 times [OR = 2.5 (95% Cl = 1.47-4.06)] and viruses were 1.89 times [OR = 188 (95% Cl = 1.09-2.9)] more likely to cause the development of disease in animals than any other pathogen. Despite the appropriate usage of acaricides, the knowledge of participants was inadequate. The findings of this study emphasize the need to take into account identified knowledge gaps and to take the initiative in carrying out appropriate education activities and extension programs to enhance the adoption of effective tick prevention and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahvish Rajput
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | | | - Muhammad Imran
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | | | - Olivier Andre Sparagano
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
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Nasirian H. Monitoring of hard tick parasitism in domestic ruminants: A scale evidence for policymakers. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 41:100878. [PMID: 37208083 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Domestic ruminants such as camels, cattle, goats, and sheep represent a substantial part of the global world economy. Hard ticks are well-known as obligatory bloodsucking ectoparasites of domestic ruminants. Policymakers need to get results that show the global distribution of tick genera and species, their parasitic levels, and their roles as disease vectors in camels, cattle, goats, and sheep. Iran is endemic to a broad range of hard tick-borne diseases. A study that reviews the tick genera and species, life stage, seasonal and attachment site parasitism levels, the global mean ranks of tick species parasitism rates and records, and their distribution in target animals would be of particular importance. Accordingly, this review aims to summarize the above objectives. After evaluating the identified articles, 147 were selected to be part of the survey based on the study objectives. Globally, tick parasitism levels were 28.7, 29.9, 36.0 and 47.6% for goats, cattle, sheep, and camels, respectively. The tick parasitism trends have exhibited an increasing trend for camels and sheep over the years while remaining constant for cattle and goats, indicating that current tick control measures are not being properly followed. Ticks tend to parasitize females more than males because males are more resistant to certain pests than females. The distribution of tick genera and species, their parasitism levels, and their roles as disease vectors provided. This information addresses the needs of decision-makers to make decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Nasirian
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran; Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Matthews J, Secka A, McVey DS, Dodd KA, Faburay B. Serological Prevalence of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Infection in Small Ruminants and Cattle in The Gambia. Pathogens 2023; 12:749. [PMID: 37375439 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a widely distributed tickborne zoonotic agent that infects a variety of host species. There is a lack of information on the true geographic distribution of the prevalence and risk of CCHFV in West Africa. A countrywide cross-sectional study involving 1413 extensively managed indigenous small ruminants and cattle at livestock sales markets and in village herds, respectively, was carried out in The Gambia. In sheep, an overall anti-CCHFV antibody prevalence of 18.9% (95% CI: 15.5-22.8%), goats 9.0% (95% CI: 6.7-11.7%), and cattle 59.9% (95% CI: 54.9-64.7%) was detected. Significant variation (p < 0.05) in the prevalence of anti-CCHFV antibodies at sites in the five administrative regions (sheep: 4.8-25.9%; goats: 1.8-17.1%) and three agroecological zones (sheep: 8.9-32.9%; goats: 4.1-18.0%) was also observed. Comparatively, higher anti-CCHFV antibody prevalence was detected in cattle (33.3-84.0%) compared to small ruminants (1.8-8.1%). This study represents the first countrywide investigation of the seroprevalence of CCHFV in The Gambia, and the results suggest potential circulation and endemicity of the virus in the country. These data provide critical information vital to the development of informed policies for the surveillance, diagnosis, and control of CCFHV infection in The Gambia and the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerusha Matthews
- Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Greenport, NY 11944, USA
| | - Arss Secka
- West Africa Livestock Innovation Center, Banjul PMB 14, The Gambia
| | - D Scott McVey
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68933, USA
| | - Kimberly A Dodd
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Bonto Faburay
- Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Greenport, NY 11944, USA
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Saman A, Chaudhry M, Ijaz M, Shaukat W, Zaheer MU, Mateus A, Rehman A. Assessment of knowledge, perception, practices and drivers of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial usage among veterinarians in Pakistan. Prev Vet Med 2023; 212:105836. [PMID: 36634489 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2022.105836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and irrational antimicrobial usage (AMU) are a global problem, particularly evident in low- and middle-income countries including Pakistan. Our study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and prescribing practices (KAP) of field veterinarians regarding AMR and AMU. METHODS A questionnaire-based online survey was conducted using Google forms to collect data on AMR and AMU from veterinary practitioners in Pakistan between July 25, 2020, and February 2, 2021. The questionnaire was comprised of four sections: 1) Demographic information of the respondents, 2) Knowledge about AMR, and AMU, 3) Antibiotic prescribing behavior, attitudes and influencing drivers and 4) Practices of respondents about AMU and drug disposal. RESULTS A total of 545 participants (Male 84%, Female 16%) completed the survey. The respondents' qualification (P = 0.008), gender (P = 0.007) and type of practitioner (P < 0.001) had a significant association with the mean knowledge score about AMR. Most of the veterinarians had never attended any training, symposium, or awareness session on AMR (63%) and methods to detect antibiotic residues (71%). Participating veterinarians frequently included "critically important antimicrobials" in their treatment regimens. Most veterinarians (60%) prescribed antibiotics for viral diseases. Our study showed that about 44% of veterinarians disposed of expired drugs in the garbage. Antibiotics were prescribed as mass medication and for prophylaxis by 59% and 33% of the veterinarians, respectively, while about 60% of the veterinarians prescribed antibiotics starting with double doses in their treatment regimens. Importantly, only 4% of the veterinarians recognized the concept of One Health. Male veterinarians had higher odds of prescribing mass medication (OR=3.07, P < 0.001) and use of antibiotics for disease prophylaxis (OR=2.31, P = 0.002) than females, whereas improper disposal of expired antimicrobials (OR=2.12, P = 0.003) was more common in female veterinarians. Government veterinarians had 2 (OR=1.95, P = 0.016) and 3 (OR=3.05, P < 0.001) times higher odds to prescribe antibiotics prophylactically and for mass treatments, respectively compared to full-time private veterinarians. CONCLUSION Our study identifies key factors influencing veterinarians' decision about antimicrobial prescription and highlights important shortcomings such as lack of training on rational use of antimicrobials, frequent use of antimicrobials for mass medication and prophylaxis, widespread use of critically important antimicrobials, and improper disposal practices. There is a dire need to improve knowledge of veterinary practitioners regarding AMR and to adopt a One Health approach to rationalize AMU at the national level in line with the regional and international guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Saman
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.
| | - Mamoona Chaudhry
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Ijaz
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.
| | - Waseem Shaukat
- Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - Muhammad Usman Zaheer
- The Fleming Fund Country Grant Pakistan, Health Security Partners, Washington, DC 20037, USA; Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| | - Ana Mateus
- Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, UK.
| | - Abdul Rehman
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.
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Roxa Z, Phoofolo MW, Dawuda PM, Molapo S, Majoro L. Identification and prevalence of ticks on Merino sheep in Lesotho. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:70. [PMID: 36749497 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03492-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
For over a decade, export of wool accounted for 58.3% of agricultural exports from Lesotho. Even though the sheep subsector contributes significantly to the economy, its development is hampered by different constraints. One of the most important constraints of sheep production is poor animal health due to widespread diseases including those caused by ticks. This study aimed to identify tick species parasitizing sheep and to determine whether tick prevalence on sheep was influenced by agroecological zone, sheep age, and seasonality. Ticks were collected from 720 sheep in the four agroecological zones of Lesotho, namely lowlands, foothills, Senqu River Valley, and highlands, during December 2018-May 2019. Ticks were picked from their sites of attachment then taken to the laboratory for identification to species level. No ticks were found on the sheep examined from the highlands and, as a result, this agroecological zone was excluded from further analysis. The following five tick species, with their overall prevalence, were identified: Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (38.0%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (1.6%), Hyalomma rufipes (1.0%), Otobius megnini (1.0%), and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (0.3%). Four of the species were hard ticks (Family Ixodidae). The only soft tick species found was O. megnini (Family Agarsidae). Tick prevalence was influenced by seasonality that varied across agroecological zones. Foothills and lowlands had highest tick prevalence in December and January, respectively, and lowest prevalence in February and May, respectively, whereas Senqu River Valley had highest tick prevalence in May and lowest in March. The age of the sheep did not significantly influence prevalence of tick infestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongezile Roxa
- Department of Animal Sciences, National University of Lesotho, P.O. Roma 180, Roma, Lesotho.
| | | | - Philip Makama Dawuda
- Department of Animal Sciences, National University of Lesotho, P.O. Roma 180, Roma, Lesotho
| | - Setsumi Molapo
- Department of Animal Sciences, National University of Lesotho, P.O. Roma 180, Roma, Lesotho
| | - Likeleli Majoro
- Department of Animal Sciences, National University of Lesotho, P.O. Roma 180, Roma, Lesotho
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Zeb J, Song B, Senbill H, Aziz MU, Hussain S, Khan MA, Qadri I, Cabezas-Cruz A, de la Fuente J, Sparagano OA. Ticks Infesting Dogs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: Detailed Epidemiological and Molecular Report. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12010098. [PMID: 36678446 PMCID: PMC9862609 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne diseases are considered a major challenge for human and animal health in tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate regions of the world. However, only scarce information is available on the characterization of tick species infesting dogs in Pakistan. In this study, we present a comprehensive report on the epidemiological and phylogenetic aspects of ticks infesting dogs in Pakistan using the mitochondrial markers i.e. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) nucleotide sequences. A total of 300 dogs were examined and 1150 ixodid ticks were collected across central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The morpho-molecular characterization of hard ticks revealed the presence of two ixodid tick genera on dogs, i.e., Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus, including six tick species viz. Hyalomma dromedarii (15.9%), Hyalomma excavatum (3%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (41.3%), Rhipicephalus turanicus s.s. (28.7%), Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (10.2%), and Rhipicephalus microplus (2%). The total prevalence of tick infestation in dogs was 61%. The district with the highest tick prevalence rate in dogs was Mardan (14.7%), followed by Peshawar (13%), Swabi (12%), Charsadda (11%), and Malakand (10.3%), respectively. Risk factors analysis indicated that some demographic and host management-associated factors such as host age, breed, exposure to acaricides treatment, and previous tick infestation history were associated with a higher risk of tick infestation on dogs. This is the first molecular report confirming the infestation of Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus tick species in the dog population from the study area. The present study also reported a new tick−host association between Hy. excavatum, Hy. dromedarii, and dogs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that cox1 partial nucleotide sequences of Hy. excavatum in our dataset were 100% identical to similar tick specimens identified in Turkey, and those of Hy. dromedarii were identical to tick specimens from Iran. Whereas, Rh. haemaphysaloides and Rh. microplus’ cox1 partial nucleotide sequences were identical to sequences previously published from Pakistan. Rhipicephalus turanicus s.s. ‘s cox1 isolates from the present study were 99.8−100% identical to Pakistani-reported isolates, and those of Rh. sanguineus s.l. were 100% identical to Chinese specimens. Results on the genetic characterization of ticks were further confirmed by 16S rRNA partial nucleotide sequences analysis, which revealed 100% identity between the tick isolates of this study and those of Hy. excavatum reported from Turkey; Hy. dromedarii specimens reported from Senegal; Rh. haemaphysaloides, Rh. microplus, and Rh. turanicus s.s., previously published from Pakistan, and Rh. sanguineus s.l., published from China. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that the Rh. sanguineus s.l. isolates of this study clustered with specimens of the tropical lineage with 7.7−10% nucleotide divergence from the specimens of the temperate lineage. Further molecular works need to be performed throughout Pakistan to present a more detailed map of tick distribution with information about dog host associations, biological characteristics, and pathogen competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jehan Zeb
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (O.A.S.)
| | - Baolin Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Haytham Senbill
- Department of Applied Entomology and Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21545, Egypt
| | - Muhammad Umair Aziz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Sabir Hussain
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Munsif Ali Khan
- Vector-Borne Diseases Control Unit, District Health Office, Abbottabad 22010, Pakistan
| | - Ishtiaq Qadri
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - José de la Fuente
- SaBio, Instituto de Investigaci’on en Recursos Cineg´eticos IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Olivier Andre Sparagano
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (O.A.S.)
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Hussain N, Shabbir RMK, Ahmed H, Afzal MS, Ullah S, Ali A, Irum S, Naqvi SKUH, Yin J, Cao J. Prevalence of different tick species on livestock and associated equines and canine from different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1089999. [PMID: 36686198 PMCID: PMC9853404 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1089999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks are ectoparasites that act as vectors for transmission of various pathogens to wild and domesticated animals and pose a serious threat to human health. Because of the hot and humid conditions in different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan, ticks are abundant and parasitize a variety of animals. The aim of this study was to identify different tick species and distribution on different hosts especially livestock, such as sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo, and camel, and livestock associated canines and equines, such as horse, donkey, and dog, across different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan. The ticks samples were collected and morphologically identified at genus and species level using morphological keys under stereomicroscope. A total of 2,846 animals were examined for the tick infestation, and 408 animals were tick-infested. Eleven tick species belonging to 4 genera were identified: Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma scupense, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma isaaci, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Haemaphysalis cornupunctata, Haemaphysalis montgomeryi, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, and Ixodes kashmiricus. The overall tick prevalence was 14.3%; host-wise infestation rate was 12.2% in sheep; 12.6%, goat; 11.7%, buffalo; 11.7%, cattle; 19.6%, camel; 27.4%, donkey; 23.5%, horse; and 24.3%, dog. Tick infestation of different animals differed on the basis of the zones. Camels showed the highest tick infestation rate in zones 1 and 2 (21.4 and 26.7%, respectively), whereas donkeys showed the highest infestation rate in zones 3, 4, 6, and 7 (25, 39.3, 3.3, and 21.4%, respectively). The infestation rates of Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus were the highest in zone 2 (71.4 and 52.9%, respectively). The infestation rate of Hyalomma was the highest (47.4%) in sheep; Haemaphysalis (46.9%), goat; Rhipicephalus (69.7%), buffalo; Rhipicephalus (62.3%), cattle; Hyalomma (70%), camel; Ixodes (60.9%), donkey; Ixodes (75%), horse; and Rhipicephalus (61.1%), dog. This study showed the diversity and infestation rate of different ticks with respect to their hosts and agro-ecological zones of Pakistan. High tick burdens and infestation rates are responsible for the spread of different tick-borne infections, resulting in loss of animal productivity and posing a threat to animal and human health. Understanding different tick species and their distribution across different zones will be helpful for developing efficient control strategies against different tick born infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazeer Hussain
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Haroon Ahmed
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan,*Correspondence: Haroon Ahmed ✉
| | - Muhammad Sohail Afzal
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shafi Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Shumaila Irum
- Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
| | | | - Jianhai Yin
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai, China,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Shanghai, China,World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianping Cao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai, China,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Shanghai, China,World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China,The School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,Jianping Cao ✉
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22
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Norouzi M, Dayer MS, Ghaffarifar F. Molecular detection and characterisation of Theileria in hard ticks of small ruminants in Zarrin Dasht County, Southern Iran. Vet Med Sci 2022; 9:372-379. [PMID: 36495157 PMCID: PMC9857125 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ticks are important ectoparasites of small ruminants in tropics and subtropics including Iran. They transmit serious zoonotic pathogens such as Babesia and Theileria. These parasites cause major burden on small ruminants jeopardising livelihoods of rural people in Zarrin Dasht County. OBJECTIVES This study was carried out to investigate the diversity and distribution of hard ticks of small ruminants and their piroplasm infection in a bid to contribute to Theileria and/or Babesia detection and control in Zarrin Dasht County of Fars province, Iran. METHODS We examined 751 sheep and goats from 10 sites of the County during four seasons for hard tick infestation. The collected hard ticks (994) were taxonomically identified before being separately confined in microtubes coded to indicate their species and host animals as well as site and date of collection. In total 50 pooled samples were analysed by PCR technique for Theileria and Babesia infection. RESULTS The identified ticks included Hyalomma marginatum 994/362); 36.4%), Rhipicephalus turanicus 994/352); 35.51%), Hyalomma anatolicum 994/264); 26.6%), Hyalomma dromedarii 994/14); 1.41%) and Hyalomma asiaticum 994/2) 0.2%). Molecular analyses showed that 7 out of 50 pooled sample were infected with piroplasm genome in ticks shared by Theileria ovis (6:50) and Theileria lestoquardi (1:50). Babesia was absent in collected hard ticks. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report on the presence of piroplasm infection in hard ticks of small ruminants in Zarrin Dasht County. Theileria ovis was more prevalent than Theileria lestoquardi but Babesia was absent. Piroplasm infection was detected in Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus turanicus. Hyalomma marginatum appears to be more competent to vector Theileria spp. This study may contribute to risk assessment and prevention of epizootic theileriosis in the County.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maliheh Norouzi
- Faculty of Medical SciencesDepartment of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Tarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Mohammad Saaid Dayer
- Faculty of Medical SciencesDepartment of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Tarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Fatemeh Ghaffarifar
- Faculty of Medical SciencesDepartment of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Tarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
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23
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Hasan M, Roohi N, Rashid MI, Ali S, Ul-Rehman Z. Occurrence of ticks and tick-borne mixed parasitic microbiota in cross-bred cattle in District Lahore, Pakistan. BRAZ J BIOL 2022; 82:e266721. [PMID: 36515298 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.266721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study was focused on the incidence of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBD) in cross-bred cattle (Friesian x Sahiwal) of two farms (n = 2548) in district Lahore, Pakistan. We collected total of 572 ticks (adults and nymphs) and blood samples (10 ml) for microscopic i.e., blood smear test - Giemsa Stain (BST) and molecular analysis; Reverse Line Blot-General Primer-PCR (RLB-PCR) and Specie Specific Primer PCR (SP-PCR) from infested cattle (n = 100) from months of April to September. Results: The tick specie identified was Rhipicephalus microplus at both farms, with significant difference in infestations rate amongst both farms (p< 0.0001). The cross-bred cattle having higher ratio of Friesian blood and lower ratio of Sahiwal blood were mostly infested by ticks (p < 0.0458) and haemoparasites (p <0.474) and vice versa. The SP-PCR showed higher number of haemoparasites infection than BST, which revealed 16% T. annulata (p < 0.0001 and k value 0.485, 0.0001), 51% B. bigemina (p < 0.0001 and k value 0.485, 0.0001) and 15% A. marginale (p < 0.001 and k value 0.207, 0.001), respectively. The single infection with B. bigemina was 34% (n = 34/100) and A. marginale 6% (n = 6/100). The double infection with T. annulata/B. bigemina was 8% (n = 8/100) and B. bigemina/A. marginale 1% (n = 1/100). Whereas the triple infection with T. annulata/B. bigemina/A .marginale was 8% (n = 8/100). The phylogenetic study of isolated sequence of T. annulata revealed close homology to isolates from Iran (87%), B. bigemina to isolates from Cuba (94 to 100%) and A. marginale with isolates from Pakistan (99 to 98%).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hasan
- University of the Punjab, Institute of Zoology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - N Roohi
- University of the Punjab, Institute of Zoology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - M I Rashid
- University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Parasitology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - S Ali
- University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Parasitology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Z Ul-Rehman
- University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Parasitology, Lahore, Pakistan
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El Damaty HM, Yousef SG, El-Balkemy FA, Nekouei O, Mahmmod YS, Elsohaby I. Seroprevalence and risk factors of tropical theileriosis in smallholder asymptomatic large ruminants in Egypt. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1004378. [PMID: 36304407 PMCID: PMC9595338 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1004378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the prevalence and epidemiological determinants of tropical theileriosis in large ruminants, particularly in the asymptomatic carrier, is crucial for designing and implementing effective host-specific control measures. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of tropical theileriosis in asymptomatic cattle and water buffaloes and identify the potential risk factors of theileriosis in large ruminants raised under smallholder-production system in Egypt. A cross-sectional study was conducted in five districts of the Sharkia governorate from March 2019 to February 2020. In total, 350 serum samples were collected from cattle and water buffaloes under smallholder-production system and tested for Theileria annulata antibodies using the indirect antibody fluorescence test (IFAT). Data on species, host characteristics, presence of ticks, season, and districts were collected at sampling using a questionnaire. A multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression model was built to determine the potential risk factors associated with T. annulate seropositivity of the animals. The overall apparent seroprevalence of T. annulata in 350 tested animals was 70%. In the univariable analyses, cattle compared to buffaloes, younger animals compared to older ones, animals with ticks on their bodies, and warmer seasons were all associated with a higher likelihood of seropositive results in the study population while sex of the animals was not associated with seropositivity. The final multivariable model showed that animals with ticks on their bodies had 3.5× higher odds of seropositivity than those with no ticks (P < 0.001), and warmer seasons were associated with the higher odds of infection compared to winter (P = 0.003). The high seroprevalence of tropical theileriosis in the study region indicates that the disease is endemic among smallholders of large ruminants. The identified risk factors of T. annulata-seropositivity in asymptomatic carrier animals provides evidence-based guidance for adopting effective intervention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hend M. El Damaty
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt,Hend M. El Damaty
| | - Sarah G. Yousef
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Farouk A. El-Balkemy
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Omid Nekouei
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China,The Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice (OHRP), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China,*Correspondence: Omid Nekouei
| | - Yasser S. Mahmmod
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ibrahim Elsohaby
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt,Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China,The Centre for Applied One Health Research and Policy Advice (OHRP), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Iqbal Z, Kayani AR, Akhter A, Qayyum M. Prevalence and Distribution of Hard Ticks and Their Associated Risk Factors in Sheep and Goats from Four Agro-Climatic Zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11759. [PMID: 36142032 PMCID: PMC9517282 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Hard ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasites infesting all types of domestic ruminants throughout the world and serve as vectors in the dissemination of a wide variety of pathogens. Sheep and goat farming is a vital economic source for resource-poor farming communities in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan. Aim: The aim of present study is to study the epidemiological profile of ticks in various agro-climatic zones of KPK. Materials and Methods: A total of 1500 (882 sheep and 618 goats) of all age groups and sexes were examined for the presence of ticks belonging to six districts in four agro-climatic zones of KPK province, Pakistan. Non-probability sampling was undertaken based on animal hosts' selection, collection of hard ticks, and epidemiological parameters. Ticks collected from sheep and goats were identified phenotypically using standard keys. Results: The results revealed that Rhipicephalus microplus (36.2%) was the predominant tick species followed by Hyalomma anatolicum (25.2%), Hyalomma trancatum (18.1%), Hyalomma aegyptium (11.3%), Hyalomma asiaticum (6.9%), and Haemephysalis bispinosa (2.4%). Different epidemiological parameters showed that weather, humidity, and host age negatively affect (p < 0.05) tick load while temperatures (Minimum and Maximum), sunshine (hrs), and precipitation positively affected (p < 0.05) tick load. Host sex only showed a positive association with tick load (p > 0.05). The highest value of tick diversity index (H) 0.36748 was noted for Hyalomma anatolicum as this tick species was commonly distributed in three agro-climatic zones except in the Suleiman Piedmont zone, while Haemaphysalis bispinosa has the lowest diversity index (0.0334) as it was only found in the Central Valley Plains zone of KPK. The Shannon diversity index of tick diversity was highest at Barikot while the lowest index value was at Kabal (2.407). Similarly, a higher Simpson's diversity index was at Barikot (0.9554) and the lowest hard index was noted at Takht bai (2.874). The dominance index showed that the tick species were more dominant at Takht bai (0.1251), while the lowest dominance was at Barikot (0.04465). Conclusions: It has been concluded that tick diversity and distribution, abundance, reproduction, development, and survival depend on prevailing climatic conditions. The present study would not only help to identify the tick species but also facilitate in devising effective control measures to minimize the transmission pathogens in sheep and goats being reared in the various agro-climatic zones of KPK province, Pakistan.
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Sado Yousseu F, Simo Tchetgna H, Kamgang B, Djonabaye D, McCall PJ, Ndip RN, Wondji CS. Infestation rates, seasonal distribution, and genetic diversity of ixodid ticks from livestock of various origins in two markets of Yaoundé, Cameroon. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 36:283-300. [PMID: 35656818 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the impact of ticks on livestock and humans in Cameroon. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, seasonal variation, and genetic diversity of hard ticks in the country. Ticks were collected during a cross-sectional survey on domestic livestock in two markets of Yaoundé in 2019 and 2020 and identified using morphological keys, 16S ribosomal DNA, (16S rDNA), and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1) genes. The infestation rates were 39.18%, 11.53%, and 2.74% in cattle, sheep, and goats respectively. Three genera of ticks were identified, Rhipicephalus, Amblyomma, and Hyalomma comprising eleven tick species. The main species were Rhipicephalus decoloratus (30.25%), R. microplus (24.43%), and Amblyomma variegatum (12.96%). Rhipicephalus spp. (81.31%) and Amblyomma variegatum (51.54%) were abundant during the rainy season, while Hyalomma spp. (83.86%) during the dry season (p-value <0.00001). Cox1 and 16S rDNA analysis showed a high level of genetic diversity among tick species with sequences close to those observed across Africa. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that our R. microplus belong to clade A and we identified R. sanguineus s.l. as R. linnea. This study shows a high tick infestation rate in cattle, while low in small ruminants with an extensive diversity of tick species, including several known vectors of important tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francine Sado Yousseu
- Microbiology and Parasitology Department, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, Yaounde, Cameroon
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Huguette Simo Tchetgna
- Microbiology and Parasitology Department, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Basile Kamgang
- Microbiology and Parasitology Department, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Doumani Djonabaye
- Microbiology and Parasitology Department, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, Yaounde, Cameroon
- Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Philip J McCall
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Roland Ndip Ndip
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Charles S Wondji
- Microbiology and Parasitology Department, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, Yaounde, Cameroon
- Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Alam S, Khan M, Alouffi A, Almutairi MM, Ullah S, Numan M, Islam N, Khan Z, Aiman O, Zaman Safi S, Tanaka T, Ali A. Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Ticks and Molecular Survey of Anaplasma marginale, with Notes on Their Phylogeny. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081663. [PMID: 36014081 PMCID: PMC9413622 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hard ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) are medically important ectoparasites that feed on all classes of terrestrial vertebrates. Recently, we molecularly characterized hard ticks and associated Anaplasma spp. in the northern and central regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan; however, this knowledge was missing in the southern regions. This study aimed to investigate tick prevalence, host range, genetic diversity, and molecular survey of Anaplasma spp. in a wide range of tick species in two distinct physiographic regions of southern KP. A total of 1873 hard ticks were randomly collected from 443/837 hosts (cattle, Asian water buffaloes, horses, goats, sheep, dogs, and camels) in Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and Orakzai districts of KP. Overall, 12 tick species were morphologically identified, among which Hyalomma dromedarii was the most prevalent species (390/1873, 20.9%), followed by Hy. anatolicum (294, 15.7%), Rhipicephalus microplus (262, 14%), Hy. scupense (207, 11.1%), R. sanguineus (136, 7.3%), R. turanicus (121, 6.5%), Haemaphysalis cornupunctata (107, 5.7%), R. haemaphysaloides (110, 5.9%), Ha. montgomeryi (87, 4.6%), Hy. isaaci (58, 3.1%), Ha. bispinosa (54, 2.9%), and Ha. sulcata (47, 2.5%). The extracted DNA from a subset of each tick species was subjected to PCR to amplify cox1 or 16S rRNA sequences of ticks and 16S rRNA sequences of Anaplasma spp. The tick cox1 sequences showed 99–100% identities with the sequences of the same species, whereas 16S rRNA sequences of R. turanicus, Ha. montgomeryi and Ha. sulcata showed 97–100% identities with the corresponding species. The 16S rRNA sequence of Ha. cornupunctata showed 92% identity with the species from the same subgenus, such as Ha. punctata. The 16S rRNA sequence of Anaplasma spp. showed 100% identity with Anaplasma marginale. Moreover, 54 ticks were found positive for A. marginale with a total infection rate of 17.2%. The highest infection rate was recorded in Hy. dromedarii (31.1%) and the lowest in each R. haemaphysaloides and R. sanguineus (20%). All the cox1 or 16S rRNA sequences in phylogenetic trees clustered with the same species, except Ha. cornupunctata, which clustered with the Ha. (Aboimisalis) punctata. In this study, Ha. cornupunctata was reported for the first time at the molecular level. The genetic characterization of ixodid ticks and molecular detection of associated A. marginale will assist in the epidemiological surveillance of these parasites in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumaila Alam
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Mehran Khan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Abdulaziz Alouffi
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 12354, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mashal M. Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shafi Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Numan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Nabila Islam
- Department of Chemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Zaibullah Khan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Ome Aiman
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
| | - Sher Zaman Safi
- Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience and Nursing, MAHSA University, Jenjarom 42610, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
- Correspondence: (T.T.); (A.A.)
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
- Correspondence: (T.T.); (A.A.)
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Sultan S, Zeb J, Ayaz S, Rehman SU, Khan S, Hussain M, Senbill H, Husain S, Sparagano OA. Epidemiologic profile of hard ticks and molecular characterization of Rhipicephalus microplus infesting cattle in central part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2481-2493. [PMID: 35838795 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07596-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tick infestation is a major public and animal health concern causing significant financial losses, especially in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This study aimed at investigating the epidemiologic profile of ticks infesting cattle and molecular identification of R. microplus in the centrally ignored part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 600 cattle from 20 farms were examined for the tick infestation, among them 358 (59.7%) cattle were infested with ticks. A total of 2118 nymph, larvae and adult tick stages were collected and morphologically identified followed by molecular confirmation of Rhipicephalus microplus. Host-based demographic and ecological parameter analysis revealed significantly higher tick infestation in adult, female, exotic, freely grazing, and with irregular/no acaricides treated cattle. The univariate logistic analysis showed that host age, gender, breed, acaricides use, and feeding method were significantly (P < 0.05) associated, whereas multivariate analysis revealed only host breed and feeding method were potential risk factors (P < 0.05) for tick infestation. Microscopy-based examination identified four different species of ticks including R. microplus (44.5%), Hyalomma anatolicum (38.5%), and Hyalomma marginatum (10.5%) and Hyalomma excavatum (6.5%). Tick infestation pattern showed that 55.9% of cattle was found co-infested with R. microplus and H. anatolicum followed by R. microplus and H. anatolicum and H. marginatum (29.3%) then R. microplus, H. anatolicum, H. marginatum, and H. excavatum (11.2%). Sequencing of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2-) and 16S rRNA gene fragments also confirmed the molecular identification of Rhipicephalus microplus. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS-2 revealed all sequences clustered in single clade of the R. microplus while the 16S rRNA nucleotide sequences showed that R. microplus in this study was clustered together in clade A along with other isolates from Pakistan, China, and India. The high tick infestation suggests the need for designing strategic and integrated control measures for ticks in order to ensure good health of domestic animals in this region of Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Sultan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Jehan Zeb
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sultan Ayaz
- College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Sadeeq Ur Rehman
- College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Sanaullah Khan
- Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Mubashir Hussain
- Department of Microbiology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan
| | - Haytham Senbill
- Department of Applied Entomology & Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21545, Egypt
| | - Sabir Husain
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Olivier Andre Sparagano
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Seasonal survey, risk factor's analysis and genotyping of Theileria annulata infecting cattle in Punjab province, Pakistan. Acta Trop 2022; 234:106587. [PMID: 35803338 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Theileriosis is one of the most frequently reported tick borne diseases in tropical and subtropical regions and leads to annual economic losses, such as the reduced dairy products and increased casualties. Tropical theileriosis is caused by Theileria annulata and the present study was designed to improve our knowledge of Theileria annulata infection in Pakistani cattle. In order to assess the prevalence of Theileria annulata on cattle from Multan district in the Punjab province (Pakistan) according to seasons and other risk factors, a total of 1020 blood samples (340 samples each from cross, Holstein Frisian and Sahiwal breed) were collected between 2020 and 2022. Based on Tams-1 partial sequence amplification, the overall T. annulata prevalence was estimated at 11.3% (115/1020). The highest prevalence was observed in autumn season (14.1%), followed by winter (12.9%), summer (11.4%) and spring (6.7%) season. Sahiwal cattle were most susceptible to T. annulata infection (13.2%) followed by Crossbred (11.8%) and Holstein Frisian (8.8%). Epidemiological factor analysis revealed that female cattle, cattle rose with other dairy animals at farm, tick infested cattle, and cattle raised with dogs infested with ticks were associated with the prevalence of T. annulata. White blood cells, lymphocyte (%), Monocyte (%) hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and platelet count were significantly affected blood parameters in T. annulata positive cattle of all three breeds. Representative partial Tams-1 sequences of four Pakistani T. annulata isolates revealed a single genotype genetically close to those infecting cattle from neighboring countries like Iran, Turkey and Egypt. Longitudinal survey and phylogenetic positioning of T. annulata is recommended for epidemiological correlation, diagnosis and treatment of theileriosis in such an agricultural region of Pakistan.
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Khan A, Ahmed Muhammed A, Nasreen N, Iqbal F, Cossio-Bayugar R, ali Sha SS, Alanazi AD, Zajac Z. Tick-borne haemoparasitic diseases in small ruminants in Pakistan: Current knowledge and future perspectives. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:2014-2025. [PMID: 35531246 PMCID: PMC9072882 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.12.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Livestock industry is an essential part of Pakistan’s economy, and a variety of ruminants (including sheep and goats) are reared for the increasing demand of milk, meat and hide products. Haemoparasitic illnesses such as theileriosis, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis are a significant health risk for small ruminants in our country. Information regarding distribution patterns, the tick species involved and effective strategies to control tick-borne diseases (TBD) in goats and sheep of Pakistan is limited. To this end, it is required to assess the present rank of TBDs in small ruminants of Pakistan with a note on their vector ticks in order to control and identify the gaps in the knowledge of TBDs. This will recommend areas for future research and will add to the understanding of these diseases and will draw attention to the need for better-quality tools for the diagnosis and control of TBDs in small ruminants of Pakistan.
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Kaba T. Geographical distribution of ixodid ticks and tick-borne pathogens of domestic animals in Ethiopia: a systematic review. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:108. [PMID: 35346354 PMCID: PMC8961985 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05221-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Ethiopia, ixodid ticks and associated tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are of great importance from both a veterinary and public health point of view. This review aimed at compiling available published data on the distribution of ixodid tick species and TBPs in the country. METHODS A standard review approach was employed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Published peer-reviewed articles and theses/dissertations reporting on ixodid ticks and TBPs in Ethiopia were searched using different keywords in many electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, African Journals OnLine, and institutional repositories. Articles were screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria using the PRISMA flowchart. Data were retrieved from eligible articles and recorded in a preformed data record sheet. Descriptive statistics were employed to present data using graphs. QGIS (Quantum GIS) software version 3.4.5 was used to show the distribution of ixodid tick species and TBPs. RESULTS Overall, 35 articles that met the inclusion criteria were included in this review. Of these, 24 articles report only on ixodid ticks of domestic animals, six articles report only on TBPs in livestock or ticks, and five articles report on both ticks and TBPs in either animals or ticks. Of these studies, 54% were in the Oromia region, while only 3% of studies were in the Benishangul-Gumuz region. The Gambela region lacked studies on ticks and TBPs. At least 19 ixodid tick species have been recorded from different domestic animals including cattle, small ruminants, donkeys, horses, camels, dogs, and cats. Morphological characterization appears to be the sole method of tick species identification in the country. The distribution and abundance of specific tick species depend on geographical locations and agroecological factors. Sixteen molecularly confirmed TBPs have been identified in animal and tick tissue using molecular methods from only four administrative regions, despite the wide distribution of ticks. Among TBPs, five Anaplasma, two Ehrlichia, two Rickettsia, five Theileria, two Babesia, and one Coxiella species are the major pathogens in both livestock and humans. CONCLUSIONS Many ixodid ticks circulate in a wide geographical zone of Ethiopia. However, the limited reports on TBPs at the country level in general, and the absence of either tick or TBP reports around the border region with neighboring countries in particular, highlights the need for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamirat Kaba
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, College of Agricultural Science, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.
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Paucar V, Pérez-Otáñez X, Rodríguez-Hidalgo R, Perez C, Cepeda-Bastidas D, Grijalva J, Enríquez S, Arciniegas-Ortega S, Vanwambeke SO, Ron-Garrido L, Saegerman C. The Associated Decision and Management Factors on Cattle Tick Level of Infestation in Two Tropical Areas of Ecuador. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040403. [PMID: 35456078 PMCID: PMC9028859 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Decision-making on tick control practices is linked to the level of knowledge about livestock farming and to the social context in which individuals practice them. Tick infestation is one of the main problems in tropical livestock production. The objective of this study was to characterize tick-control related practices in two tropical livestock areas and their potential association with the level of tick infestation. A total of 139 farms were included in this survey. To determine this association, a multivariate logistic regression model was used. A stepwise model selection procedure was used and model validation was tested. Cattle husbandry as a main activity, the use of external paddocks, the use of amitraz, and the lack of mechanization on the farm were related with high tick infestation. On the other hand, owner involvement in the preparation of acaricide solution was identified as a protective factor against high tick infestation. At animal level, age (old), body condition status (thin), and lactation were also associated with high tick infestations, while Bos primigenius indicus cattle and their crosses reduced the probability of high tick infestations. The factors studied, such as herd size, education level of the owners, and veterinary guidance, varied from farm to farm. Nonetheless, these differences did not generate changes in the level of tick infestation. According to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC), the model at farm level predicts a high level of infestation, with an accuracy of 72.00% and high sensitivity. In addition, at animal level, crossbreeding with indicus cattle and breeding selection for host resistance will be useful against high tick infestation. Likewise, the implementation of programs of capacitation and research on tick control for farmers, cowboys, and vets in these areas is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Paucar
- Instituto de Investigación en Zoonosis (CIZ), Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador; (V.P.); (X.P.-O.); (R.R.-H.); (S.E.); (L.R.-G.)
- Research Unit of Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiège), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH) Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, 4000 Liège, Belgium;
| | - Ximena Pérez-Otáñez
- Instituto de Investigación en Zoonosis (CIZ), Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador; (V.P.); (X.P.-O.); (R.R.-H.); (S.E.); (L.R.-G.)
- Georges Lemaitre Centre for Earth and Climate Research, UCLouvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Richar Rodríguez-Hidalgo
- Instituto de Investigación en Zoonosis (CIZ), Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador; (V.P.); (X.P.-O.); (R.R.-H.); (S.E.); (L.R.-G.)
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador; (C.P.); (J.G.)
| | - Cecilia Perez
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador; (C.P.); (J.G.)
| | - Darío Cepeda-Bastidas
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador;
| | - Jorge Grijalva
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador; (C.P.); (J.G.)
| | - Sandra Enríquez
- Instituto de Investigación en Zoonosis (CIZ), Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador; (V.P.); (X.P.-O.); (R.R.-H.); (S.E.); (L.R.-G.)
| | | | - Sophie O. Vanwambeke
- Research Unit of Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiège), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH) Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, 4000 Liège, Belgium;
| | - Lenin Ron-Garrido
- Instituto de Investigación en Zoonosis (CIZ), Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador; (V.P.); (X.P.-O.); (R.R.-H.); (S.E.); (L.R.-G.)
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito 170521, Ecuador; (C.P.); (J.G.)
| | - Claude Saegerman
- Research Unit of Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Applied to Veterinary Sciences (UREAR-ULiège), Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health (FARAH) Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, 4000 Liège, Belgium;
- Correspondence:
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Khan SS, Ahmed H, Afzal MS, Khan MR, Birtles RJ, Oliver JD. Epidemiology, Distribution and Identification of Ticks on Livestock in Pakistan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19053024. [PMID: 35270717 PMCID: PMC8910082 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19053024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: Ticks are ectoparasites that transmit a variety of pathogens that cause many diseases in livestock which can result in skin damage, weight loss, anemia, reduced production of meat and milk, and mortality. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify tick species and the distribution on livestock hosts (sheep, goat, dairy cattle, and buffalo) of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and Islamabad from October 2019 to November 2020. Materials and Methods: Surveillance was performed to calculate the prevalence of ticks on livestock. Tick prevalence data (area, host, breed, gender, age, and seasonal infestation rate) was recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of 2080 animals were examined from selected farms, and, of these, 1129 animals were tick-infested. A total of 1010 male tick samples were identified to species using published keys. Haemaphysalis punctata, Haemaphysalis sulcata, Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma detritum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma excavatum, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Rhipicephalus decoloratus Rhipicephalus microplus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus were collected from goats, sheep, buffalo, and cattle. The overall rates of tick infestation on livestock were 34.83% (buffalo), 57.11% (cattle), 51.97% (sheep) and 46.94% (goats). Within each species, different breeds demonstrated different proportions of infestation. For cattle breeds, infestation proportions were as follows: Dhanni (98.73%), Jersey (70.84%) and the Australian breed of cattle (81.81%). The Neeli Ravi breed (40%) of buffalo and the Beetal breed (57.35%) of goats were the most highly infested for these species. Seasonally, the highest prevalence of infestation (76.78%) was observed in summer followed by 70.76% in spring, 45.29% in autumn, and 20% in winter. The prevalence of tick infestation in animals also varied by animal age. In goats, animals aged 4–6 years showed the highest prevalence (90%), but in cattle, the prevalence of ticks was highest (68.75%) in 6 months–1-year-old animals. 1–3 years old buffalo (41.07%) and 6 months–1 year sheep (65.78%) had the highest prevalence rate. Females had significantly higher infestation rates (61.12%, 55.56% and 49.26%, respectively) in cattle, sheep, and goats. In buffalo, males showed a higher prevalence (38.46%) rate. Conclusions: This study showed tick diversity, infestation rate, and numerous factors (season, age, and gender of host) influencing tick infestation rate in different breeds of cattle, sheep, goats, and buffalo in Punjab Province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, and Islamabad, Pakistan. Higher tick burdens and rates of tick-borne disease reduce production and productivity in animals. Understanding tick species’ prevalence and distribution will help to develop informed control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Salim Khan
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Chakh Shahzad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan; (S.S.K.); (H.A.)
| | - Haroon Ahmed
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Chakh Shahzad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan; (S.S.K.); (H.A.)
| | - Muhammad Sohail Afzal
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Science, University of Management & Technology (UMT), Lahore 54770, Pakistan;
| | - Mobushir Riaz Khan
- School of Environmental Science, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia;
| | - Richard J. Birtles
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford M5 4NT, UK;
| | - Jonathan D. Oliver
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Correspondence:
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Elelu N, Ola-Fadunsin SD, Bankole AA, Raji MA, Ogo NI, Cutler SJ. Prevalence of tick infestation and molecular characterization of spotted fever Rickettsia massiliae in Rhipicephalus species parasitizing domestic small ruminants in north-central Nigeria. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263843. [PMID: 35157723 PMCID: PMC8843212 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks are of great menace to animal and human health. They serve as vectors to both animals and human pathogens including Rickettsia species. Tick-borne rickettsiosis in West Africa remains incompletely understood. We determined the prevalence of tick infestation among small ruminants and molecularly described a clinically significant spotted fever Rickettsia massiliae from Rhipicephalus ticks collected from North-Central, Nigeria. A total of 352 small ruminants comprising of 152 sheep and 200 goats that were brought for slaughter at the major small ruminant slaughterhouse in Ilorin were examined for the presence of ticks. The collected Rhipicephalus species were subjected to molecular studies to detect and characterize Rickettsia massiliae. Of the small ruminants examined, 21 sheep and 46 goats were infested with ticks representing 13.82% and 23.00% respectively. Eight and nine different species of ticks were detected in sheep and goats respectively, with Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus being the most prevalent tick species in both sheep and goats. There was a significant difference (p <0.01) in the prevalence of the different tick species collected in sheep and in goats. Based on the PCR amplification of the 23S-5S intergenic spacer (IGS), only 2 of the 142 Rhipicephalus tick samples screened for R. massiliae were positive (1.41%; 95% CI = 0.39-4.99). Rickettsia massiliae was detected from Rhipicephalus turanicus collected from sheep. Sequences obtained from the PCR carried out by amplifying Rickettsia 23S-5S IGS showed 99-100% close identity with members of the R. massiliae group. This study has for the first time confirmed the presence of spotted fever group Rickettsia massiliae from feeding ticks in Nigerian small ruminants. Further investigations to determine the possible pathogenic role of human R. massiliae infection in Nigeria would be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nusirat Elelu
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Shola David Ola-Fadunsin
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Mashood Abiola Raji
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | | | - Sally Jane Cutler
- School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, United Kingdom
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González Gordon L, Bessell PR, Nkongho EF, Ngwa VN, Tanya VN, Sander M, Ndip L, Morgan KL, Handel IG, Mazeri S, Bronsvoort BM, Kelly RF. Seroepidemiology of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever among cattle in Cameroon: Implications from a One Health perspective. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010217. [PMID: 35312678 PMCID: PMC8936485 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral zoonotic disease distributed across several continents and recognized as an ongoing health threat. In humans, the infection can progress to a severe disease with high fatality, raising public health concerns due to the limited prophylactic and therapeutic options available. Animal species, clinically unaffected by the virus, serve as viral reservoirs and amplifier hosts, and can be a valuable tool for surveillance. Little is known about the occurrence and prevalence of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) in Cameroon. Knowledge on CCHFV exposure and the factors associated with its presence in sentinel species are a valuable resource to better understand transmission dynamics and assess local risks for zoonotic disease emergence. Methods and findings We conducted a CCHFV serological survey and risk factor analysis for animal level seropositivity in pastoral and dairy cattle in the North West Region (NWR) and the Vina Division (VD) of the Adamawa Region in Cameroon. Seroprevalence estimates were adjusted for sampling design-effects and test performance. In addition, explanatory multivariable logistic regression mixed-effects models were fit to estimate the effect of animal characteristics, husbandry practices, risk contacts and ecological features on the serological status of pastoral cattle. The overall seroprevalence was 56.0% (95% CI 53.5–58.6) and 6.7% (95% CI 2.6–16.1) among pastoral and dairy cattle, respectively. Animals going on transhumance had twice the odds of being seropositive (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.8), indicating that animal movements could be implicated in disease expansion. From an ecological perspective, absolute humidity (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9) and shrub density (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.2) were associated with seropositivity, which suggests an underlying viral dynamic connecting vertebrate host and ticks in a complex transmission network. Conclusions This study demonstrated high seroprevalence levels of CCHFV antibodies in cattle in Cameroon indicating a potential risk to human populations. However, current understanding of the underlying dynamics of CCHFV locally and the real risk for human populations is incomplete. Further studies designed using a One Health approach are required to improve local knowledge of the disease, host interactions and environmental risk factors. This information is crucial to better project the risks for human populations located in CCHFV-suitable ecological niches. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever poses an important threat for public health, particularly in endemic locations in Eurasia and parts of Africa. Despite its long-standing recognition, CCHF is considered a neglected disease, with sporadic official case reports and evidence of serological circulation in remote rural areas and less frequently, in peri-urban settings in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the drivers associated with its emergence and the spatial-temporal patterns linked to its circulation and spread are not well-understood. In this study, we identified a high proportion of cattle with CCHFV antibodies suggestive of high levels of viral circulation in the North West and the Adamawa Regions in Cameroon. In pastoral cattle, there was a positive relationship between going on transhumance, older age, higher shrub density and lower absolute humidity and CCHFV individual seropositivity. In contrast, non-indigenous breeds reported a lower risk of being seropositive. These results can be interpreted in connection to the underlying dynamics of CCHFV cycle and underline potential mechanisms linked to disease expansion. From a public health perspective, high levels of exposure to CCHFV in cattle highlight the possibility of unrecognized human infection and therefore, emphasize on the need to remain vigilant to possible disease risks for local groups involved in pastoralism and to dairy smallholders across the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina González Gordon
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (LGG); (BMB); (RFK)
| | - Paul R. Bessell
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
| | - Egbe F. Nkongho
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Victor N. Ngwa
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | | | - Melissa Sander
- Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon
| | - Lucy Ndip
- Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Kenton L. Morgan
- Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease and School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, United Kingdom
| | - Ian G. Handel
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
| | - Stella Mazeri
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
| | - Barend MdeC Bronsvoort
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (LGG); (BMB); (RFK)
| | - Robert F. Kelly
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (LGG); (BMB); (RFK)
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Outbreak investigation and identification of risk factors associated with the occurrence of foot and mouth disease in Punjab, Pakistan. Prev Vet Med 2022; 202:105613. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2022.105613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Detailed new insights about tick infestations in domestic ruminant groups: a global systematic review and meta-analysis. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:526-601. [DOI: 10.1007/s12639-021-01460-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
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Aiman O, Ullah S, Chitimia-Dobler L, Nijhof AM, Ali A. First report of Nosomma monstrosum ticks infesting Asian water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Pakistan. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2022; 13:101899. [PMID: 35026613 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2022.101899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Nosomma monstrosum Nuttall & Warburton, 1908 is a hard tick infesting mainly Asian water buffaloes, but it has also been recorded from cattle, horses, bears, dogs, wild boar and humans in the Oriental region. This tick species has previously not been recorded from Pakistan. A total of 15 adult N. monstrosum ticks (five females and ten males) were collected from an Asian water buffalo herd grazing in Haripur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Molecular characterization using partial 12S, 16S rRNA, and cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) gene sequences confirmed the identity as N. monstrosum. A phylogenetic analysis showed that N. monstrosum from Pakistan is closely related to specimens reported from Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ome Aiman
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Shafi Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan
| | | | - Ard M Nijhof
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Pakistan.
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Muhammad A, Bashir R, Mahmood M, Afzal MS, Simsek S, Awan UA, Khan MR, Ahmed H, Cao J. Epidemiology of Ectoparasites (Ticks, Lice, and Mites) in the Livestock of Pakistan: A Review. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:780738. [PMID: 34977213 PMCID: PMC8716624 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.780738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ectoparasites, including lice, ticks, and mites, inhabit the host skin and depend on their host for sustenance, maturation, and multiplication. Among these, ticks are more prevalent in various regions of Pakistan because of favorable climatic conditions, lack of awareness of livestock keepers' regarding ectoparasite infestation rate, insufficient veterinary services, and inadequate control measures. Ectoparasitic infestation is a primary threat to cost-effective livestock production by damaging skin and transmitting multiple diseases between animals. This review aimed to determine the infestation rates of various ectoparasites in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, camels, equids and to ascertain the prevalence and epidemiology of ectoparasites in different regions of Pakistan. This review could be useful in devising prevention and control strategies and identifying the risk factors associated with ectoparasites to enhance animal productivity. It provides directions for veterinary schools, researchers, and organizations aiming to collaborate with neighboring countries to eradicate these parasites. Future studies could support working veterinarians and administrators and contribute to human well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Muhammad
- Department of Zoology, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Rida Bashir
- Department of Zoology, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Majid Mahmood
- Department of Zoology, University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sohail Afzal
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sami Simsek
- Department of Parasitology, Firat University, Elâzig, Turkey
| | - Usman Ayub Awan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | - Mobushir Riaz Khan
- School of Environmental Science, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
| | - Haroon Ahmed
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Jianping Cao
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Shanghai, China.,WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, The School of Global Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Babayani ND, Makati A. Predictive Analytics of Cattle Host and Environmental and Micro-Climate Factors for Tick Distribution and Abundance at the Livestock-Wildlife Interface in the Lower Okavango Delta of Botswana. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:698395. [PMID: 34778426 PMCID: PMC8581135 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.698395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick distribution and abundance is influenced by several factors that include micro-climate and environmental and host factors. Contextual understanding of the role played by these factors is critical to guide control measures. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of these factors for changes in tick distribution and abundance at the livestock-wildlife interface of the lower Okavango Delta. A two-stage quota sampling design was adopted to select 30 clusters of seven cattle each for tick investigation. Tick investigation was done by lifting the tail to count the total number of ticks at the anno-vulva region during the four meteorological seasons of the year. Additional data were collected on ear tag number, location of origin, sex, age, body condition score (BCS), season of the year, stocking density, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values of source terrain. A random effects model was used to evaluate predictive value of the above for tick abundance. Additional mapping of tick distribution pattern in the abattoir catchment area was conducted using spatial autocorrelation and hot-spot analysis. Tick intensity of infection increased linearly from males to females (Z = 3.84, p < 0.001), decreased linearly from lower to higher BCS (Z = -4.11, p < 0.001), and increased linearly from cold-dry through dry to wet seasons (Z = 10.19, p < 0.001). Significant clustering of neighboring crushes on account of tick count was noted in the late-hot-dry season, with high tick count in crushes located along the seasonal flood plains and low tick counts in those located in the dry grasslands. It was concluded from this study that cattle tick abundance is influenced largely by season of the year and that the micro-climatic conditions brought about by the seasonal flooding of the delta have a decided effect on tick distribution during the driest of the seasons. Our study has, for the first time, profiled drivers of tick distribution and population growth in this unique ecosystem. This has the potential to benefit human and veterinary public health in the area through implementation of sustainable tick control strategies that are not heavily reliant on acaricides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anastacia Makati
- Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana, Maun, Botswana
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Ghafar A, Gasser RB, Abbas T, Rehman A, Gauci CG, Jabbar A. Ticks and tick-borne diseases of bovines in a smallholder livestock context: The Pakistani example. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2021; 114:167-244. [PMID: 34696843 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2021.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) substantially affect the health and production of ruminants, particularly in resource-poor, small-scale farming systems worldwide. However, to date, there has been no critical appraisal of the current state of knowledge of TTBDs in such farming systems. In this article, we systematically reviewed the situation in Pakistan-as an example of a country that is highly reliant on agriculture to sustain its economy, particularly smallholder livestock farms, which are continually faced with challenges associated with TTBDs. The main aims of this review were to gain improved insights into the current status of TTBDs in small-scale farming systems, and to identify knowledge gaps, through the systematic evaluation of published literature on this topic from Pakistan, and to recommend future research directions. We searched publicly available literature from three databases (i.e. Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed) on bovine TTBDs in Pakistan. Of 11,224 published studies identified, 185 were eligible for inclusion; these studies were published between August 1947 and June 2021. A critical analysis of these 185 studies revealed that the diagnosis of ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in Pakistan has been based largely on the use of traditional methods (i.e. 'morpho-taxonomy'). At least 54 species of tick have been recorded, most of which belong to the genera Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus. The prevalence of ticks was higher, particularly in young, exotic and crossbred female cattle, during the summer season. Major TBPs include species of Anaplasma, Babesia and Theileria, with prevalences being higher in cattle than buffaloes. Additionally, pathogens of zoonotic potential, including species of Anaplasma, Borrelia, the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, Coxiella, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia, have been recorded in both tick and bovine populations. Information on risk factors, spatial-temporal distribution, genetic diversity, and control of ticks and TBPs is limited, the vector potential of ticks and the distribution patterns of ticks and TBPs in relation to climate remains largely unexplored. Future research should focus on addressing these knowledge gaps and the key challenges of poverty, food security and disease outbreaks in a small-scale livestock farming context in order to provide sustainable, environment-friendly control measures for TTBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Ghafar
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia
| | - Tariq Abbas
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Rehman
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Charles G Gauci
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia
| | - Abdul Jabbar
- Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia.
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Ullah R, Shams S, Khan MA, Ayaz S, Akbar NU, Din QU, Khan A, Leon R, Zeb J. Epidemiology and molecular characterization of Theileria annulata in cattle from central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249417. [PMID: 34529664 PMCID: PMC8445462 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Theileria annulata is a tick-borne hemoprotozoan parasite responsible for tropical theileriosis in the bovine population, which causes substantial economic losses to the livestock sector. The present study has investigated, characterized, and shaped epidemiologic and phylogenetic profiles of T. annulata infection in the cattle population of central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 600 blood samples were collected from cattle. Microscopy and PCR (18S rRNA taxonomic marker) assays were performed to detect T. annulata infection in cattle from the study area. The overall relative prevalence rates of T. annulata in the examined cattle population were 12.8% (microscopy) and 23.7% (PCR). District-wise analysis (microscopy/PCR) showed that cattle from district Mardan were found more infected (16.0%/28.0%), as compared to cattle from district Charsadda (13.5%/25.5%) and district Peshawar (9.0%/17.5%). Based on host demographic and ecological parameters analysis, theileriosis was found to be higher in young, female, crossbred, freely grazing, tick-infested, and irregular/no acaricides treated cattle. The univariate logistic analysis showed that host age, tick infestation, acaricides use, and feeding method were significant risk factors (P<0.05) whereas multivariate analysis indicated that host age, gender, tick infestation, acaricidal application, and feeding method were potential risk factors (P<0.05) for tropical theileriosis in the cattle population. Phylogenetic and sequence analysis showed that T. annulata 18S rRNA isolates shared homology and phylogeny with other isolates from Asia and Europe. This study has addressed the epidemiology and phylogeny of T. annulata circulating in bovid in the study area where gaps were still present. These findings will serve as a baseline and will facilitate future large-scale epidemiological investigations on tropical theileriosis in the cattle population at a national level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raqeeb Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Sumaira Shams
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Munsif Ali Khan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
- College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Sultan Ayaz
- College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Noor ul Akbar
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan
| | - Qeyam ud Din
- Department of Geography, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Adil Khan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
- College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Renato Leon
- Medical Entomology & Tropical Medicine Laboratory LEMMT, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Jehan Zeb
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
- College of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Pakistan
- * E-mail:
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Hussain S, Hussain A, Rehman A, George D, Li J, Zeb J, Khan A, Sparagano O. Spatio-temporal distribution of identified tick species from small and large ruminants of Pakistan. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00865-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Rooman M, Assad Y, Tabassum S, Sultan S, Ayaz S, Khan MF, Khan SN, Ali R. A cross-sectional survey of hard ticks and molecular characterization of Rhipicephalus microplus parasitizing domestic animals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255138. [PMID: 34351948 PMCID: PMC8341592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In tropical and subtropical countries, tick infestation causes major public health problems and considerable financial losses to the livestock industry. This study was aimed to assess the species composition of richness and analyze the phylogeny of Rhipicephalus microplus in the District Bannu of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. METHODS Collected ticks were identified morphologically and DNA extracted from R. microplus was amplified and subjected to sequencing. RESULTS A total of 3,600 animals were examined among them 1,494 animals were found to be infested with ticks, including 669 cows, 476 buffaloes, 163 goats, and 186 sheep (p = 0.001). Tick infestation was significantly high (43.58%) in animals of age group (<1 year) (p-value = 0.027). Female animals were more (44.05%) infested with ticks than males (34.43%) (p = 0.001). The intensity of infestation was significantly higher in summer (77.49%) (p = 0.001). A total of 5,557 ticks were collected comprising three genera and six species. R. microplus was predominantly prevalent (n = 1,474; 26.52%), followed by Rhipicephalus annulatus (n = 1,215; 21.86%), Hyalomma anatolicum (n = 1,139; 20.49%), Hyalomma marginatum (n = 1,086; 19.54%), and Rhipicephalus turanicus (n = 761; 13.69%), while the least common was Haemaphysalis aciculifer (n = 80; 1.43%) (p = 0.001). Morphologically identified R. microplus species were also analyzed genetically by using two genetic markers 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) genes. The phylogenetic study revealed that R. microplus is genetically diversified and clustered in clade B with R. microplus species from China, India, and Pakistan. CONCLUSION Ticks infestation was significantly correlated with various factors including age, sex, season, and animal type. R. microplus genetically resembled species reported from India and China. However, major knowledge gaps concerning various species of ticks exist and many areas are still unexplored in Pakistan. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the epidemiological and molecular aspects of various tick species in other regions of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Rooman
- Department of Zoology, Hazara University Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Yasir Assad
- Department of Zoology, Hazara University Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Sadia Tabassum
- Department of Zoology, Hazara University Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Samia Sultan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Garden Campus Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Sultan Ayaz
- College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Abdul Wali Khan University Garden Campus Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Fiaz Khan
- Department of Zoology, Hazara University Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Niaz Khan
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Rehman Ali
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
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Akyildiz G, Guven E, Tufek H, Bente D, Vatansever Z, Kar S. Monthly dynamics of the cold-adapted one-host biological north form of Hyalomma scupense under the influence of the warm summer subtype of the Mediterranean climate in Turkey. Parasitol Int 2021; 85:102427. [PMID: 34314861 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The one-host biological north form / ecotype of Hyalomma scupense Schulze, 1919 (Acari, Ixodidae) is reported for the first time in Turkey herein. Following the first detection of the tick, a longitudinal field study was carried out to fill gaps in the data concerning its biological features. This study also aimed to determine how the monthly activation dynamics of this relatively cold climate-adapted species is characterized under the influence of the warm summer subtype of the Mediterranean climate. During this study, which was carried out on a monthly basis in 2014, H. scupense was found on cattle from 5 out of 18 villages screened in Thrace (the European part of Turkey). The field study revealed that i) this north ecotype of H. scupense exhibits winter one-host behavior beginning in October (with larval stages) and ending in April (with engorged adults); ii) engorged females detach from the cattle, drop on the floors of barns during night and accumulate on piled bedding contaminated with slurry manure; iii) in the late spring, engorged females lay eggs, and larvae hatch in the same area; and iv) larvae become active in autumn as the weather grows cooler. The results indicated that although one-host H. scupense is known to be distinctly adapted to cold conditions, it can also be effectively established in relatively temperate regions and complete its life cycle with some modifications in the timing of its monthly activation dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurkan Akyildiz
- Department of Biology, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey
| | - Esin Guven
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Hakan Tufek
- Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University, Caycuma Vocational High School, Zonguldak, Turkey.
| | - Dennis Bente
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States of America.
| | - Zati Vatansever
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey
| | - Sirri Kar
- Department of Biology, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey.
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Ali A, Zahid H, Zeb I, Tufail M, Khan S, Haroon M, Tufail M, Bilal M, Hussain M, Alouffi AS, Muñoz-Leal S, Labruna MB. Risk factors associated with tick infestations on equids in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, with notes on Rickettsia massiliae detection. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:363. [PMID: 34256806 PMCID: PMC8276440 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04836-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies on ticks infesting equids are lacking in various parts of the world, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of ticks infesting equids, associated risk factors and rickettsial detection in ticks from equids in KP. METHODS Inspection of 404 equid hosts from November 2018 to October 2019 resulted in the collection of 550 ticks. Data on tick-associated risk factors were collected from equid owners by means of a questionnaire. After morphological identification, partial DNA sequences of the tick mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene were used for taxonomic confirmation of species. Partial sequences of the gltA and ompA genes were used for Rickettsia detection in ticks. RESULTS A total of 550 tick specimens were collected on 324 (80.2%) of the equids inspected, of which 161 were horses (50%), 145 (45%) were donkeys and 18 were mules (5%). The ticks were identified as belonging to the following five species: Rhipicephalus microplus (341 specimens, 62% of the total ticks), Rh. haemaphysaloides (126, 23%), Rh. turanicus (39, 7%), Rh. sanguineus (s.l.) (33, 6%) and Hyalomma anatolicum (11, 2%). The most prevalent tick life stage was adult females (279, 51%) followed by adult males (186, 34%) and nymphs (85, 15%). Higher tick infestations were observed on male equids (relative risk [RR] 0.7432, P < 0.0005) and adult equids (RR 1.268, P < 0.0020). Ticks were frequently attached to the axial region of horses (55, 21%), sternum of donkeys (44, 21%) and belly of mules (19, 23%) (P < 0.04). Temporal patterns of tick infestation in association with temperature and humidity were highly significant (P < 0.05). Risk factors, such as animal housing (P < 0.0003), living management (P < 0.006), grazing type (P < 0.01) and location in hilly areas (P < 0.02), significantly enhanced the chances for tick infestation. Tick species analyzed in this study were phylogenetically related to species from Afghanistan, China, South Africa and Taiwan. Partial sequences of the gltA and ompA genes obtained from Rh. microplus and Rh. haemaphysaloides were 100% identical to the spotted fever group pathogen Rickettsia massiliae. CONCLUSIONS Equids exposed to significant risk factors were infected by one or more of at least five tick species in KP, Pakistan, and some of the ticks harbored the human pathogen R. massiliae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
| | - Hafsa Zahid
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Ismail Zeb
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tufail
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Sulaiman Khan
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Haroon
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tufail
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Bilal
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Majid Hussain
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | | | - Sebastián Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Av. Vicente Méndez 595, casilla 537, Chillán, Ñuble, Chile
| | - Marcelo B Labruna
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Kancharana S, Chengalva RV, Kothapalli SR, Yegireddy M, Bollini S, Tollamadugu Naga Venkata Krishna Vara P. Assessment of acaricidal activity of nanoscale ZnO encapsulated piperine formulation against Rhipicephalus microplus. IET Nanobiotechnol 2021; 14:722-731. [PMID: 33108330 DOI: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2020.0159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to synthesise and evaluate the acaricidal activity of nanoscale zinc oxide piperine formulation (NZPF) against Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. NZPF was prepared by using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and piperine by employing encapsulation technique; characterised by UV spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared analysis, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, zetapotential and scanning electron microscopy. Acaricidal activity of the NZPF on R. microplus was evaluated using larval packet test (LPT) and adult immersion test (AIT). LPT against R. microplus larvae showed an LC50 at 1 mg/l for NZPF followed by 2 and 3 mg/l for ZnONPs and piperine, respectively. AIT against R. microplus showed an LC50 at concentration of 3 mg/l for NZPF followed by 6 mg/l for ZnONPs and 7 mg/l for piperine. In both LPT and AIT, LC50 values of ZnONPs and NZPF were significantly lower compared to deltamethrin. NZPF showed significant ovulation inhibitory activity with lower IC50 and IC99 values compared to ZnONPs and piperine. NZPF has been proved to be the better alternative to routine chemical acaricides for control of tick infestation of cattle in the wake of acaricidal resistance, but safety issues need to be addressed before clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snigdha Kancharana
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati 517502, AP, India
| | - Rayulu Vukka Chengalva
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati 517502, AP, India.
| | - Srinivasa Rao Kothapalli
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati 517502, AP, India
| | - Muralidhar Yegireddy
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati 517502, AP, India
| | - Sreedevi Bollini
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati 517502, AP, India
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Getange D, Bargul JL, Kanduma E, Collins M, Bodha B, Denge D, Chiuya T, Githaka N, Younan M, Fèvre EM, Bell-Sakyi L, Villinger J. Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Associated with Dromedary Camels ( Camelus dromedarius) in Northern Kenya. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1414. [PMID: 34209060 PMCID: PMC8306667 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are major constraints to camel health and production, yet epidemiological data on their diversity and impact on dromedary camels remain limited. We surveyed the diversity of ticks and TBPs associated with camels and co-grazing sheep at 12 sites in Marsabit County, northern Kenya. We screened blood and ticks (858 pools) from 296 camels and 77 sheep for bacterial and protozoan TBPs by high-resolution melting analysis and sequencing of PCR products. Hyalomma (75.7%), Amblyomma (17.6%) and Rhipicephalus (6.7%) spp. ticks were morphologically identified and confirmed by molecular analyses. We detected TBP DNA in 80.1% of blood samples from 296 healthy camels. "Candidatus Anaplasma camelii", "Candidatus Ehrlichia regneryi" and Coxiella burnetii were detected in both camels and associated ticks, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Rickettsia africae, Rickettsia aeschlimannii and Coxiella endosymbionts were detected in camel ticks. We also detected Ehrlichia ruminantium, which is responsible for heartwater disease in ruminants, in Amblyomma ticks infesting camels and sheep and in sheep blood, indicating its endemicity in Marsabit. Our findings also suggest that camels and/or the ticks infesting them are disease reservoirs of zoonotic Q fever (C. burnetii), ehrlichiosis (E. chaffeensis) and rickettsiosis (R. africae), which pose public health threats to pastoralist communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Getange
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.G.); (T.C.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi P.O. Box 62000-00200, Kenya
| | - Joel L. Bargul
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.G.); (T.C.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi P.O. Box 62000-00200, Kenya
| | - Esther Kanduma
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya;
| | - Marisol Collins
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (M.C.); (E.M.F.); (L.B.-S.)
| | - Boku Bodha
- Directorate of Veterinary Services, County Government of Marsabit, Marsabit P.O. Box 384-60500, Kenya; (B.B.); (D.D.)
| | - Diba Denge
- Directorate of Veterinary Services, County Government of Marsabit, Marsabit P.O. Box 384-60500, Kenya; (B.B.); (D.D.)
| | - Tatenda Chiuya
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.G.); (T.C.)
| | - Naftaly Githaka
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 30709-00100, Kenya;
| | - Mario Younan
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Programme & Operational Support to Syria Crisis, UN cross-border hub, Gaziantep 27010, Turkey;
| | - Eric M. Fèvre
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (M.C.); (E.M.F.); (L.B.-S.)
- International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi P.O. Box 30709-00100, Kenya;
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK; (M.C.); (E.M.F.); (L.B.-S.)
| | - Jandouwe Villinger
- International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya; (D.G.); (T.C.)
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Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Bovine Brucellosis in District Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061744. [PMID: 34208005 PMCID: PMC8230616 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Our study estimated the seroprevalence of brucellosis in bovine herds and identified the important risk factors associated with the occurrence of the disease at livestock farms. A total of 220 sera from 46 bovine herds of district Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan, was collected and subjected to brucellosis screening by serology. It resulted in 58.7% herd-based and 22.7% individual animal-based seroprevalence. Age, herd size and previous history of abortion came out as associated risk factors. Strict biosecurity, personal protection, quarantine measures and routine screening are recommended at livestock-holdings/farms, whereas disease awareness and pasteurization of milk are recommended for the general population to prevent zoonosis. Abstract Bovine brucellosis is a contagious zoonotic disease that causes economic losses through abortion and infertility. A cross-sectional study was designed to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of bovine brucellosis in district Gujranwala of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 220 bovine sera (112 from buffaloes, 108 from cattle) from 46 unvaccinated herds were collected. Parallel testing by the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Indirect Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (I-ELISA) showed a 58.7% (27/46) herd-level and 22.7% (50/220) animal-level seroprevalence. Seroprevalence was higher (p < 0.001, OR = 7.62) in adult animals (37.2%) compared to younger animals (4.9%). A herd size of >10 animals (p = 0.021, OR = 7.83), less housing space (p = 0.037, OR = 6.39) and history of abortion at the farm (p = 0.023, OR = 5.6) were found as risk factors associated with the seropositivity of brucellosis. There was a substantial agreement between the RBPT and I-ELISA results (Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) = 64.16, percent agreement = 89.5%). In conclusion, a relatively higher seroprevalence was found compared to the previous reports from the country. Standardization and validation of the advanced diagnostic tests would be needed. Biosecurity, personal protection, quarantine measures and routine screening of animals at the farm level and disease awareness programs and consumption of pasteurized milk in the human population will be helpful in preventing the transmission/zoonosis of the disease.
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Shahid MF, Yaqub T, Ali M, Ul-Rahman A, Bente DA. Prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in ticks collected from Punjab province of Pakistan. Acta Trop 2021; 218:105892. [PMID: 33753031 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne zoonotic disease of human that caused by CCHF virus. To study the epidemiological distribution of CCHFV, 2183 tick samples were collected from sheep, goats, cattle and buffalo of different livestock farms of ten districts of Punjab province of Pakistan. Detection of CCHFV was done using enzyme link immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after proper identification of tick samples. The partial S-segment of CCHFV from ELISA positive tick samples was amplified by PCR and sequenced to determine the genotype of CCHFV. Out of2183 collected tick samples, 1913 ticks belonged to 5 species of genus Hyalomma as H. antolicum (48%), H. marginatum (30.2%), H. rufipes (10.82%), H. impressum (5.43%) and H. dromedarii (5.27%). While 270 ticks belonged to 3 species of genus Rhipicephalus as R. microplus (44.8%), R. sanguineus (32.22%) and R. turanicus (24.8%). The overall antigenic prevalence of CCHFV was found to be 12.13% in collected tick samples and 21 tick pools were sequenced for partial S-segment of CCHFV. All of the 21 tick pools were clustered in genotype IV (Asia-1). The highest prevalence of CCHFV was found in district Chakwal (24.13%) followed by Mianwali (23.68%), Rawalpindi (23.07%), Attock (20.0%), Rajanpur (10.52%) and Lahore (8.33%). In positive tick pools, the highest prevalence of CCHFV antigen was found in H. antolicum (39.6%) followed by H. marginatum (30.18%), H. rufipes (13.2%), H. impressum (3.77%), H. dromedarii (1.88%), R. microplus (5.66%) and R. sanguineus (5.66%). The current study confirms the presence of CCHFV in the ticks population of Punjab. The CCHF virus present in Punjab belongs to Asia-1 genotype. It is important to control the tick infestation of the animals present in these areas. So that the transmission cycle of CCHF can be inhibited.
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