Abstract
Ticks transmit many pathogens with public health and veterinary importance. Despite the wide distribution of tick-borne pathogens in Sudan, the information on the tick–pathogen relationship needs to be updated, particularly using modern molecular techniques. This cross-sectional study, conducted between September and November 2019, used morphology, PCR, and sequencing to confirm the identity of adult cattle ticks (male and female; n = 536) from Khartoum State (n = 417) and East Darfur State (n = 119). Moreover, the presence of Theileria annulata, Babesia bigemina, B. bovis, Anaplasma marginale, and Ehrlichia ruminantium was detected and confirmed in each tick using species-specific PCR or nested PCR and sequencing. The most economically important tick genera, Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, and Amblyomma, were prevalent in the study area, and 13 different tick species were identified. The most prevalent tick species were Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (34.3%) and Hyalomma anatolicum (57.3%) in Khartoum State, and Rhipicephalus annulatus (27%), Rhipicephalus decoloratus (25%), and Hyalomma rufipes (29%) in East Darfur State. We detected all five pathogens in both states. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the presence of E. ruminantium, its vector Amblyomma variegatum, and B. bovis in Khartoum State. Further, this is the first report on most tick and pathogen species identified in East Darfur State. Our findings indicate the migration of some tick and pathogen species beyond their distribution areas in the country, and this consideration is necessary to develop future control strategies.
Highlights
Ticks (Acari: Ixodoidea) are important ectoparasites infesting livestock and human populations around the globe [1]
Only one tick belonging to R. e. evertsi was recorded in East Darfur State, while all R. praetextatus ticks identified in this study were from Khartoum State
We documented the prevalence of 13 different tick species belonging the most economically important tick genera, Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma, and Amblyomma, in two states in Sudan, namely, Khartoum Sate and East Darfur State
Summary
Ticks (Acari: Ixodoidea) are important ectoparasites infesting livestock and human populations around the globe [1]. Ticks carry and transmit a large number of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. They are second to mosquitoes in importance as disease vectors, greatly impacting human and animal health [2]. Ticks are voracious blood suckers, causing heavy blood losses leading to anemia, and the injuries caused by their attachment damage hides and predispose animals to secondary bacterial infections that may lead to mastitis. Ticks have a wide range of hosts, with cattle being the favorite for many tick species [5]
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