Identification, Distribution, and Habitat Suitability Models of Ixodid Tick Species in Cattle in Eastern Bhutan

Tick infestation is the most reported parasitological problem in cattle in Bhutan. In May and June 2019, we collected ticks from 240 cattle in two districts of Eastern Bhutan. Tick presence, diversity, and infestation prevalence were examined by morphological identification of 3600 live adult ticks. The relationships between cattle, geographic factors, and infestation prevalence were assessed using logistic regression analyses. Habitat suitability for the tick species identified was determined using MaxEnt. Four genera and six species of ticks were found. These were Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini) (70.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 68.7–71.7)), Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides Supino (18.8% (95% CI: 17.5–20.1)), Haemaphysalis bispinosa Neumann (8.2% (95% CI: 7.3–9.1)), Haemaphysalis spinigera Neumann (2.5% (95% CI: 2–3)), Amblyomma testudinarium Koch (0.19% (95% CI: 0.07–0.4)), and a single unidentified Ixodes sp. Logistic regression indicated that the variables associated with infestation were: longitude and cattle age for R. microplus; latitude for R. haemaphysaloides; and altitude and cattle breed for H. bispinosa and H. spinigera. MaxEnt models showed land cover to be an important predictor for the occurrence of all tick species examined. These findings provide information that can be used to initiate and plan enhanced tick surveillance and subsequent prevention and control programs for ticks and tick-borne diseases in cattle in Bhutan.

The prevalence and potential factors associated with ecto-parasitic infestations in Black Bengal Goats in Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Background: Ecto-parasites namely ticks, lice and flea are important due to their blood sucking habit, skin damage and acting as vectors for various disease pathogens in both livestock and humans. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence and identify potential factors associated with ecto-parasitic infestations at Mymensingh sadar, Mymensingh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken during July 2019 to June 2020. The data on risk factors was recorded using a questionnaire. Ecto-parasites were collected from randomly selected 173 goats and examined by preparing permanent slides. The potential factors were identified by univariable analysis. Main results: The overall prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation was 60.1% (104/173). The identified ecto-parasites were Damalinia caprae (83, 47.9%), Linognathus stenopsis (42, 24.3%), Haemaphysalis bispinosa (36, 20.8%) and Ctenocephalides canis (16, 9.3%). Female (70.7%) goats were 2.9 times more prone to ecto-parasitic infestations than male goats (48.2%). Significantly highest infestations was recorded in adult goats (72.7%), followed by the young goats (52.7%) and the lowest in kids (46.3%). Also, prevalence was significantly (p< 0.001) higher in poor conditioned (76.4%) and anemic (72.9%) goats than that of good conditioned (34.3%) and non-anemic (44.2%) goats, respectively. Furthermore, acaricides /insecticides use in goats greatly influenced the prevalence of ecto-parasitic infestations. Prevalence was higher in those goats that never treated with acaricides and/or insecticides (70.78%) than those goats regularly treated with acaricides/insecticides (27.91%). Conclusions: A very high prevalence of ecto-parasitic infestation was recorded in goats of Mymensingh district. Farmers awareness should be increased to control ectoparasitic infestations especially in female, adult and goats with poor body condition.

Detection of Theileria luwenshuni (Piroplasmida: Theileriidae) from ticks infesting goats in peninsular Malaysia

Piroplasmic parasites such as Theileria and Babesia commonly infect important livestock animals, leading to economic losses in the livestock industry. These parasites are primarily transmitted by ticks found infesting livestock animals. In Malaysia, livestock diseases caused by tick-borne pathogens are still under-studied, even though tick infestations are common in many livestock farms. Here, we molecularly detect a Theileria sp. from Haemaphysalis bispinosa ticks infesting goats in a privately-owned farm in Perak, peninsular Malaysia. PCR was performed on the DNA extracted from ticks to determine the presence of piroplasms. Three ticks were found PCR-positive for piroplasms. Sequence analyses of partial 18S rRNA gene sequences revealed the presence of a Theileria species at 100% identity to Theileria luwenshuni. Our findings suggest the presence of T. luwenshuni, a highly pathogenic Theileria sp. to sheep and goats, in the small ruminant industry in Malaysia.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infestation on cattle in various regions in Indonesia

Background and Aim: Ticks (Ixodidae) not only cause blood loss in cattle but also serve as vectors for various diseases, thus causing direct and indirect losses. Moreover, tick infestation can cause significant economic losses. This study aimed to identify the diverse species of ticks infesting cattle in five different regions in Indonesia. Materials and Methods: Tick specimens were obtained from local cattle in five different areas in Indonesia. The morphology of the specimens was macroscopically and microscopically evaluated, and the resulting data were descriptively and qualitatively analyzed. Results: In total, 1575 ticks were successfully collected from 26 animals. In total, two genera and three species, namely, Rhipicephalus microplus, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, and Rhipicephalus pilans, were identified. The cattle in Yogyakarta and Riau were infested by H. bispinosa, while the cattle in Sukabumi, Bali, and Lombok were infested by R. microplus and R. pilans. The level of infestation varied among regions, with R. microplus being the most commonly found species. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that cattle in different regions of Indonesia were infested by variable numbers of tick species. In particular, the cattle in Yogyakarta and Riau were solely infested by H. bispinosa; this is a new finding in terms of the distribution of tick species in the country. Increased tick infestation in cattle decreases productivity and causes health problems; therefore, it deserves serious attention. Our findings can help in the formulation of an effective strategy for controlling and preventing cattle tick infestation in the country.

Prevalence of ectoparasites in cattle (Bos indicus) of Jessore, Bangladesh

A study was carried out on 60 cattle and 34 (56.66%) were found infested with ticks and lice. Mean parasitic burden was 2.26 ± 0.37 per square inches in cattle. Two species of arachnids, Haemaphysalis bispinosa (31.66%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (28.33%) lice, Linognathus vituli (23.33%) were identified. Mean parasitic burden was high in case of R. sanguineus (4.33 ± 0.48) followed by H. bispinosa (2.89 ± 0.62) and least in L. vituli (1.28 ± 0.16). Prevalence of ectoparasites were relatively higher in young animals aged > 1 - 3 year (66.66%) followed by in calf aged ± 1 year (50%) and lowest in adult aged > 3 year (44.44%) in cattle. The mean parasitic burden was higher in case of young (2.8±0.60) followed by adults (1.75 ± 0. 41) and calves (1.5 ± 0.34). Infestation was higher in female (64.10%) than the male (42.85%). Prevalence of ectoparasites were relatively higher in summer (75%) followed by in winter (55%) and lowest in rainy season (40%). The mean parasitic burden was highest in summer (1.93 ± 0.64) followed by in winter (1.72 ± 0.54) and lowest in rainy season (1.5 ± 0.50). Bangladesh J. Zool. 46(2): 137-145, 2018

Initiation of primary cell cultures from embryonic Haemaphysalis bispinosa ticks

Tick cell cultures have been widely used as an important tool for the study of tick-associated microorganisms, specifically for medically important bacteria or viruses that may be difficult to isolate or culture in axenic conditions. In this study, primary embryonic tick cell cultures were initiated separately from each of the egg batches laid by 10 female ticks belonging to the hard tick genus Haemaphysalis. All cultures were maintained at 28°C. After 10 months, 4 healthy cultures were identified with the potential for developing into continuous tick cell lines. These cultures comprise large cells predominantly forming floating cell clumps with multicellular vesicles, which are morphologically similar to cell lines derived from the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata. Subculture has not yet been performed due to the low cell density at the time of writing. Amplification and sequencing of a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene from DNA extracted from the parent ticks showed 99%-100% similarity to published sequences of Haemaphysalis bispinosa. This is the first report of the initiation of embryonic cell cultures from Haemaphysalis ticks found in Malaysia. Such tick cell cultures will be useful for studies of tick-borne pathogens in this region, where recent studies have shown that Haemaphysalis ticks are highly represented and harbor medically important bacteria.