Prevalence of tick infestation of sheep and goats in Bui and Donga-Mantung Divisions of the North West Region of Cameroon

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, intensity and management systems associated with tick infestation in sheep and goats from Bui and Donga-Mantung Divisions. A total of 704 animals consisting of 342 males and 362 females (463 adults and 241 young (kids/lambs) were physically examined for tick infestation, of which 383 were goats and 321 sheep aged 5 months to 7 years. Of the 704 animals examined, 651 were found positive with one or more ticks giving an overall prevalence of 92.5%. The highest prevalence was recorded in sheep (99.4%) while 86.7% was recorded in goats. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the prevalence and intensity of tick infestation of these ruminants in the study area. The overall intensity of infestation or tick burden was 1302 with the highest intensity observed in Boophilus geygei (416). Six species of ticks were identified which were Boophilus geygei, Boophilus annulatus, Boophilus decoloratus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma truncatum and Haemophysalis laechi with a high prevalence recorded for Boophilus geygei (29.5%) and the least recorded for Haemophysalis laechi (8.4%). Adults and females were the most infested compared to young stock and male animals. Concerning the various management techniques, the prevalence of tick infestation was higher in tethered animals (97.8%), followed by free-range grazing animals (89.8%). Animals confined in paddocks had the least prevalence (71.6%). This study provides an important step to reduce animal infestation and minimize economic losses in sheep and goats by providing information that will help farmers of these areas to use strategic treatment methods and medicinal plants to reduce parasite infestations on the animals and also to practice the right traditional management techniques

Phylogenetic Characterisation of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Detected in African Blue Ticks Feeding on Cattle in a Ugandan Abattoir

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is the most geographically widespread tick-borne virus. However, African strains are poorly represented in sequence databases. In addition, almost all sequence data have been obtained from cases of human disease, while information regarding circulation of the virus in tick and animal reservoirs is severely lacking. Here, we characterise the complete coding region of a novel CCHFV strain, detected in African blue ticks (Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus) feeding on cattle in an abattoir in Kampala, Uganda. These cattle originated from a farm in Mbarara, a major cattle-trading hub for much of Uganda. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the newly sequenced strain belongs to the African genotype II clade, which predominantly contains the sequences of strains isolated from West Africa in the 1950&rsquo;s and South Africa in the 1980&rsquo;s. Whilst, the viral S (nucleoprotein) and L (RNA polymerase) genome segments shared &gt;90% nucleotide similarity with previously reported genotype II strains, the glycoprotein-coding M segment shared only 80% nucleotide similarity with the next most closely related strains, which were from India and China. This segment also displayed a large number of non-synonymous mutations previously unreported in genotype II strains. Characterisation of this novel strain adds to our limited understanding of the natural diversity of CCHFV circulating in both ticks and in Africa. Such data can be used to inform the design of vaccines and diagnostics, as well as studies exploring the epidemiology and evolution of the virus for the establishment of future CCHFV control strategies.

Survey of cattle tick infestation on farm herds in Ogun state, Nigeria

Cattle in the tropics are exposed to varying levels of challenges r from endo and ectoparasites as well as environmental stressors. Ticks have been recognized as the most notorious threat to cattle because of their hide damaging and disease vector. As a result of these, continuous study of tick distribution on cattle is necessary. Two hundred and five cattle of determined breed, sex and age, were randomly sampled from eight different locations across four local Government areas of Ogun state in 2015. Harvested ticks were identified to species level. Variation in tick distribution across age, sex and locations were subjected to statistical analysis. Among the 205 cattle sampled, 125 (61%) had ticks while 80 (39%) had no ticks, 84 (67%) female have ticks, 27 (33%) do not have, 41 (44%) males have ticks and 53 (56%) do not have. The mean age of the cattle sampled was 3.0±0.1 years, with a mean Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of 30.8±0.4%. Amblyommavariegatum was the most prevalent tick (76%), followed by Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (20%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (2%) while Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus. and Hyalommam arginatum were 1% respectively. Age and sex of cattle were discovered to be statistically significant in this study. Considering the economic importance of ticks in regards to morbidity and mortality; appropriate tick control strategy and technique need to be applied and constant tick surveillance should be encouraged in the study area

Identification of Ixodidae ticks from cattle imported into the South Kivu province, east of the Democratic Republic of Congo

A survey has been conducted in Bukavu on bovines imported in Democratic Republic of Congo from Rwanda to the public slaughterhouse of Bukavu, with the aim of identifying the Ixodidae ticks on their body. Thus, 1024 ticks have been collected on 300 cows for the entomological identification. Four species have been identified whose Boophilus decoloratus (44.4 %), Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (43.9 %), Amblyomma variegatum (11 %) and Ixodes thomasai (2 %). This last species being a new among those recognized in South Kivu. A charge to ticks of 6.5 has been observed at those bovines and the infestation rate has been significantly different in the 4 races, the Friesland (41.1 %) and Ankolé presented the superior values. The importation of cows in this part of the country from Rwanda is a real factor which conducts to the introduction of ticks and also diseases in Democratic Republic of Congo. Then being measures of heath control in the border must be sustained and reinforced for minimizing real risks.

First Report of Theileria Annulata in Nigeria: Findings from Cattle Ticks in Zamfara and Sokoto States

Background Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) represent a significant economic burden to cattle farming in sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. However, in the northern part of this country, where the largest livestock population reside, little is known about the contemporary diversity of ticks and TBPs. This area is particularly vulnerable to climate change, undergoing marked transformation of habitat and associated flora and fauna that is also likely to include ticks. This study aimed to document the occurrence of tick species and Apicomplexan TBPs in cattle from North-Western Nigeria. Methods In 2017, ticks were collected from cattle in Zamfara and Sokoto States and identified morphologically. Additionally, a subset of ticks were screened molecularly for the detection of Apicomplexan DNA. Results A total of 494 adult ticks were collected from 80 cattle in Zamfara and 65 cattle in Sokoto State. Nine tick species were encountered, including seven Hyalomma spp. (i.e. Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma impeltatum, Hyalomma impressum, Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum and Hyalomma turanicum), Amblyomma variegatum and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus. All species were present in Zamfara, whereas only five species were found in Sokoto. Hyalomma rufipes was the most prevalent tick infesting cattle in Zamfara State (76.2%), while H. dromedarii was the most prevalent in Sokoto State (43.7%), confirming the widespread transfer of this species from camels onto livestock and its adaptation to cattle in the region. Of 159 ticks screened, 2 out of 54 (3.7%) from Zamfara State and 29 out of 105 (27.6%) from Sokoto State harboured DNA of Theileria annulata, the agent of tropical theileriosis.Conclusions This study confirms the presence of a broad diversity of tick species in cattle from North-Western Nigeria, providing the first locality records for Zamfara State. The occurrence of H. turanicum, recorded for the first time in Nigeria, indicates a distribution of this tick beyond Northern Africa. This study provides the first report for T. annulata in Nigeria. Given its enormous burden on livestock farming in North Africa and across Asia, further investigations are needed to better understand its epidemiology, vector transmission and potential clinical significance in cattle from Northern Nigeria and neighbouring Sahelian countries.

Prevalence of Cattle Piroplasmosis and Some Associated Risk Factors in Lower Shabelle Region, Somalia

Background: Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) cause significant losses among livestock and impact the livelihoods of livestock communities worldwide including Somalia. Infections with Babesia and Theileria species are endemic in Somalia yet there is a lack of adequate information on their prevalence. Objective: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of Cattle Piroplasmosis in three districts of Lower Shabelle Region, Somalia using microscope and to identify the available tick species found in the sampled cattle during the study. Methods: A total of 127 Cattle blood were examined for Piroplasms (Babesia and Theileria) using Microscope during January to February 2020. The available ticks were collected in 70% Ethanol. Results: The overall prevalence of Piroplasmosis was 123/127 (96.9% 95% CI: 92.1-99.1%). About 45 out of 127 (35.4% 95% CI: 27.1-44.1%) samples were positive for either Theileria or Babesia, while 78 out 127 (61.4% 95% CI: 52.4-69.9%) samples were mixed infected with both them. Risk factors like age, body condition, sex, lymphnode enlargement and presence of ticks were found to be insignificantly associated with Babesiosis and Theileriosis. For both infections the mean PCV of infected animals was insignificantly lower than non-infected animals. Six tick species belonging to two genera (Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma) were identified in the investigated cattle, including, R. pulchellus (64.7%), R. (Boophilus) microplus, (2%) R. (Boophilus) decoloratus (2%), R.evertsi, (3.9%) A. gemma (15.7%) and A. lepidum (11.8%). Conclusion: This study revealed a very high prevalence of Piroplasmosis in the study area and co-infections were more common than single infections. Further studies in other areas in the country are recommended.

Study on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, toxicity and effectiveness of herbal remedies against Boophilus decoloratus in Suba, Kenya

Onyango AO, Kokwaro JO, Onyango DW, Yusuf AO. 2018. Study on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, toxicity and effectiveness of herbal remedies against Boophilus decoloratus in Suba, Kenya. Asian J Ethnobiol 2: 38-50. Plants have been found to have a variety of biological activities against insect pests, some of which have been confirmed. The ethnobotany, phytochemistry, toxicity, and acaricidal behavior of crude extracts of three selected plants against blue-tick in Suba Sub-County, Kenya were investigated as part of this study. In Suba Sub-County, a total of 32 herbalists, ranging in age from 28 to 87, were interviewed using a questionnaire about their knowledge of acaricidal plants. The name of the area, the component used, the conventional method of planning, and the administration method were all recorded. The number of medicinal plant citations was highly correlated with the age of the informants. Based on independent researches (IR), the study described 16 plants distributed among 13 families. For phytochemical tests, Phytolacca dodecandra, Cissus quadrangularis, and Ipomoea kituiensis were collected and extracted in methanol, dichloromethane (1:1 v/v), and distilled water separately. Terpenoids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids were all present in the three plants, with the exception of flavonoids, which were absent in P. dodecandra.To test the efficacy of crude extracts of these selected plants, larvae of the Boophilus spp. tick were used in an in vitro acaricidal activity analysis. The effects of 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/mL concentrations of water and methanol in DCM (1:1 v/v) crude extracts of P. dodecandra (leaves), C. quadrangularis (whole), and I. kituiensis (leaves) were compared to that produced by the standard reference acaricide, almatix® (12.5 percent amitraz) as positive control. The extracts' activity against larvae was tested, and the extracts were most active at 10 mg/mL concentration. The death rate was determined within 24 hours. The extracts of Cissus quadrangularis (100 kills at 10 mg/mL) and P. dodecandra (100 kills at 5 and 10 mg/mL) were the most potent compared to that of almatix, while I. kituiensis methanol/DCM (1:1v/v) extract was the least potent. The variance analysis revealed significant differences in the acaricidal activity of plant extracts at all concentrations tested (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL) (P?0.05). The LC50 of Boophilus decoloratus larvae was determined if methanol: DCM (1:1 v/v) extracts of I. kituiensis showed mild toxicity, whereas those of P. dodecandra and C. quadrangularis showed high toxicity. This study concluded that C. quadrangularis (whole), I. kituiensis (leaves), and P. dodecandra (leaves) extracts are acaricidal and as potent at high concentrations as almatix. The mortality of the larvae increases with increasing extract concentration, indicating that the extracts of the top three study plants are effective in blue-tick control. It is recommended that isolation and purification of crude compounds and bioassay of these isolated compounds be performed on the same blue-tick larvae to achieve highly efficacious conventional acaricides

Effect of the Essential Oil of Clausena anisata (Rutaceae) and Palm Kernel Vegetable Oil on Engorged Females of Three Species of Ixodidae Cattle Ticks

Improving and increasing livestock production system yield requires parasite control, especially ticks, which stifle the emergence of successful breeding units. Effective environmentally friendly and biological parasite control is urgently required. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the essential oil of Clausena anisata (Rutaceae) and of palm kernel vegetable oil compared to a reference chemical acaricide, flumethrin, on the biological parameters of the engorged females of three major tick species in the Maritime Region of Togo. The topical tests applied consisted respectively of depositing a drop of 75μL and 5μL of the crude extracts and their dilutions on the back of each female of Amblyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Ixodida: Ixodidae). Fifteen females and three replicates were tested, incubated at 28 ± 1°C, 85-95% RH, 12: 12 L:D, and were monitored daily. C. anisata caused 100% mortality in all engorged females and its 1/8 dilution destroyed 100% of eggs laid by A. variegatum. Palm kernel vegetable oil caused 100% mortality in female species of the genus Rhipicephalus (B.). Flumethrin was very toxic to ticks. Since Palm kernel vegetable oil has a significant toxicity, the two oils tested can be an alternative control of the studied ticks after additional studies.