Effect Of Ticks Research Articles

Diversity and prevalence of ticks in the goats in lowland Nepal.

Ticks are very harmful blood sucking protozoans and rickettsial diseases in livestock and cause an adverse economy of the world, including tropical regions like Nepal. Thus, the current study was conducted to determine the distribution, prevalence, and the effects of ticks in the goat of the Rapti Municipality, Chitwan, Nepal. Ticks were picked from different body parts of goats (n=473) and identified to species level by using morphological identification keys under a microscope. The study revealed that 161 (34%) of goats were infested and females had highest prevalence of ticks compared to males (41% vs 28%). A total of 14 species of ticks of genera Haemaphysalis, Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus, Ixodes and Dermacentor were identified. All tick-positive goats were suffered from inflamed wounds with various skin manifestations. In conclusion, this study suggested that appropriate control measures for ticks need to be employed in the study area for economic goat production.

Effects of ticks on community assemblages of ectoparasites in deer mice

Ectoparasites are fundamental to ecosystems, playing a key role in trophic regulation. Fleas, mites, and ticks are common hematophagous ectoparasites that infest shared mammalian hosts. One common host in Ontario, Canada, is the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). As the climate warms and the geographic ranges of blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) and American dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) expand, their introduction to new ecosystems may alter current ectoparasite communities. At three different sites where exposure to ticks varied (both in terms of tick diversity and abundance), ectoparasite community structures found on deer mouse hosts were examined, focusing on species co-occurrences and habitat partitioning on the host. We predicted that when tick species were prevalent, ticks would dominate the micro-habitat attachment sites often inhabited by other parasites, thereby significantly altering parasite community structure. Our results suggest that blacklegged ticks and American dog ticks could have a positive association with each other, but a negative or random association with other ectoparasite species, even when they do not occupy the same attachment site. Sampling site played a significant role in community assemblages as well, possibly due to the differences in tick exposure. As the ticks’ ranges expand and they become more abundant, it is important to understand how their prevalence can potentially alter the dynamics in an ectoparasite community, affecting the transmission of pathogens that may spread within an ecosystem, from one host to another.

Cattle tick control in Africa: potential of ethnoveterinary plants

Abstract Cattle are a livelihood asset to smallholder farmers in Africa yet remain threatened by the effects of ticks and tick-borne diseases during production because they cause morbidity and premature death. The use of indigenous plants in tick control is a worldwide practice spanning thousands of years. Changes in the agricultural and socio–cultural landscape over time have, however, led to neglect of indigenous pesticidal plants in favour of synthetic products. The benefits of synthetic acaricides are well-recognized, but emerging observation indicates that they cannot solve all livestock health problems across production systems, farmer circumstances and agro-ecologies. Concerns associated with commercial acaricides have revived research interest in alternative or complementary remedies. Past research has focused on documenting ethnoveterinary practices, scientific validation of the practices and optimization of these practices. Here, we review the challenges of synthetic acaricides and progress made in ethnoveterinary plant research and development in Africa. The review highlights challenges of access, affordability and availability of commercial acaricides to resource-poor communities; synthetic acaricide resistance development; disposal of obsolete acaricides and environmental pollution; reduced water supply and implications on conventional use of acaricide-treated dipping facilities; and plant bioprospecting and downstream development of products in Africa. This information contributes towards shaping the ethnoveterinary plant research agenda and policy, and investment interventions in Africa.

Prevalence and Identification of Major Ticks in Cattle in Damot Gale Woreda, Wolaita Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Across-sectional study was designed and conducted in Damot Gale district of Wolaita zone, south Ethiopia. The major objectives of the research were: to determine the prevalence of major ixodid ticks; to identify the collected ticks into their respective species; and to assess the risk factor influencing the prevalence of tick infestation in the study area. For this purpose, 384 heads of cattle maintained under traditional management system were selected using simple random sampling statistical technique. All visible ticks were collected from half body part of selected cattle, preserved in70% alcohol and transported to WSU-SVM for subsequent identification into species, based on key standards. Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect baseline information regarding farmers’ perceptions of the effects of ticks on livestock production. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version20.1) for descriptive and inference purposed. A total of 264 ixodid ticks were collected, which belonged to of Boophilus (59.85%), Rhippicephalus (25.38%) and Amblyomma (14.77%) genera, with the overall prevalence of tick infestation to be about 6%. At species level, Boophilus decoloratus (59.85), Rhippicephalusevertsievertsi (25.38%), Amblyomma variegatum (10.61%) and Amblyommagemma (4.16%) were the hard tick species identified during the survey period. Regarding spatial distribution, these ticks had the highest prevalence at Gacheno and Chocha and the lowest prevalence at Fate district. Regression analysis indicated that the prevalence of tick infestation did not reveal significant statistical difference between male and female sex groups (p>0.05). Nevertheless, adult cattle over the age of three years were more significantly challenged by tick infestation than young cattle (P<0.05). Similarly, the prevalence of tick infestation was significantly higher (p<0.01) in cattle with poor body condition than those with medium and good body condition score. In conclusion, the present research disclosed that tick infestation due to hard tick s is responsible for considerable pathogenic impacts and economic losses due to their deleterious effects on leather industry. Based on the present findings, it is recommended that integrate tick control efforts should be implemented, and the efficacy acaricides should be detected to control the risk of drug resistance in Damot Gale district.

Effect of Tick and Lice on Some Blood Constitute and Trace elements of Local Black Goat in Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

In this study isolated 100 adult female of local black goat (Capra hircus) examined in spring and fall season for Tick and Lice investigations, then divided into two groups: 50 infested goats with ectoparasite and 50 non-infested goats. Three species of ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguinus, R. turanicus and R. bursa) and one species of lice (Bovicola caprae) were observed. Biochemical values (serum proteins and some trace elements) analyzed, in infested goats emerges decline in serum protein value 7.12±0.08 µg/dl, albumin value 4.12±0.03 µg/dl and increase of globulin value 3.04±0.09 µg/dl, in serum protein and globulin values shows not significance differences, while described highly significance differences in albumin value at p?0.01, when compared to control goats. In trace elements decline of zinc level 48.97±1.20 µg/dl and copper level 114.15±3.75 µg/dl levels with a highly significant differences at p?0.01 in infested goats when compare to control goats. It is observed that mixed infestation has much effects than tick or lice infestation on goats, which led to reduction in serum protein value 6.89±0.20 µg/dl, albumin value 4.11±0.09 µg/dl and raise in globulin value 3.10±0.11 µg/dl without any significance differences, also noticed insignificant declines in zinc level 45.67±2.40 µg/dl, while decrease in copper level 99.33±9.86 µg/dl significantly at p?0.05.

Do ticks and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. constitute a burden to birds?

Ticks consume resources from their hosts shaping their life-history traits and are vectors of many zoonotic pathogens. Several studies have focused on the health effects of blood-sucking ectoparasites on avian hosts, but there is limited information on the effects of ticks on adult and sub-adult birds, which may actively avoid ticks and are likely to present low infestation intensities. We evaluated the effects of the presence of feeding ticks and intensity of infestation on health variables of avian hosts. We also evaluated whether these variables were affected by tick infection by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) and by the presence of Borrelia infection on the birds' skin. Presence of parasite association among ticks, haemosporidea and Borrelia within the bird-host was also tested. We found that infestation by ticks significantly increased heterophyl/lymphocyte ratio in Turdus merula suggesting increased stress. This was especially evident at high infestation intensities when a significant decrease in body mass and body condition (body mass corrected for size) was also observed. Erithacus rubecula infested with more than 10 larvae tended to have lower haematocrit and blood haemoglobin. Plasma globulin concentration in T. merula tended to be affected by the presence of attached ticks and their infection with Borrelia, but this depended on the age of the bird. No association was detected among ticks, haemosporidea and Borrelia infection. We showed that ticks have detrimental effects on their avian hosts even under natural infestation conditions and that confirmed Borrelia reservoir hosts may also present symptoms of infection, though these may be subtle.

Plane of nutrition by tick-burden interaction in cattle: Effect on growth and metabolism1

Ticks are external parasites, which pose a significant economic burden to domestic animal agriculture. The effects of ticks on grazing animals may be exacerbated during periods of low nutrition, such as those encountered during drought. It is not completely understood how plane of nutrition and tick burden interact to affect metabolism in cattle. The objective of the current research was to examine the plane of nutrition by tick-burden interaction in cattle and determine the effects of this interaction on physiological indicators of growth and metabolism. Eight-month-old Angus cross steers (n = 28, 194 ± 3.0 kg) were stratified by pretrial BW and DMI into 1 of 4 groups (n = 7/group) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Categories were: moderate (14.0 ± 1.0% CP, 60 ± 1.5% TDN) vs. low (9.0 ± 1.0% CP, 58 ± 1.5% TDN) plane of nutrition and control (no tick) vs. tick treatment (300 pair of adult Amblyomma americanum per treated animal). Steers were individually fed their respective experimental diets ad libitum and feed intake was monitored for 35 d before and 21 d after the start of tick infestation (d 0). Blood samples were harvested via coccygeal venipuncture on d -7, 0, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 17, and 21. Plasma cortisol and IGF-I were determined by RIA. Metabolic indicators were determined by colorimetric assay. Steers weighed 195 ± 6 kg on d -35, but on d -7 and d 21, the moderate steers weighed more than the low steers (244.1 ± 8.7 vs. 227.7 ± 8.4 kg, P < 0.07; and 283.4 ± 8.0 vs. 244.0 ± 7.9 kg, P < 0.001, respectively). Cortisol was affected by plane of nutrition and treatment (P < 0.08). Insulin-like growth factor-I was greater (P < 0.01) in moderate than in low and control animals (P < 0.02), compared with tick-treated animals. Tick treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on any of the metabolites measured in this study. Plane of nutrition affected (P < 0.02) albumin, blood urea nitrogen, and glucose in that values from the moderate group animals were greater than those from the low group. Although cortisol was related to both tick treatment and nutritional status in the current study, with respect to the combination of parasitism and suboptimal nutrition, IGF-I was the most highly indicative constituent measured. Tick burden affected various characteristics of growth and metabolism in these growing cattle and the effects were exacerbated by a low plane of nutrition.

Tick control methods used by resource-limited farmers and the effect of ticks on cattle in rural areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

A survey to document tick control methods used by resource-limited farmers in the control of cattle ticks in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa was conducted by interviewing 59 cattle farmers using structured questionnaires and general conversation. Information collected was on external parasites of cattle, their effects and their control methods. Ticks were reported to be a major problem causing diseases like anaplasmosis (89.8%), babesiosis (55.9%) and ehrlichiosis (16.9%), as well as wounds that predispose to screwworm infestation, tick worry and teat damage to cows troubling farmers in their farming enterprises. The main tick control methods were; acaricides provided by government, however 94.9% of the farmers interviewed were of the opinion that the dip wash is not effective in killing the ticks. As a result, farmers complement the government dipping service with their own initiatives like spraying with conventional acaricides (22%), household disinfectants such as Jeyes fluid (18.6%), used engine oil (10.2%), chickens (5.1%), manual removal (5.1%), and pouricides (1.7%). In addition, some farmers also use plants (6.8%), mainly the leaf of Aloe ferox and the bark of Ptaeroxylon obliquum. The study revealed ticks to be a major problem in the study area.

Activity Patterns and Effect of Ticks on Growth and Survival of Tropical Roseate Tern Nestlings

Activity Patterns and Effect of Ticks on Growth and Survival of Tropical Roseate Tern Nestlings

Activity Patterns and Effect of Ticks on Growth and Survival of Tropical Roseate Tern Nestlings

Abstract Patterns of abundance of the seabird tick Amblyomma loculosum and their effects on Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) nestling growth, fledging age, and survival are described on Aride Island, Seychelles, in 1997–1999. Female ticks attached to nestlings from 4 to 14 days (to engorge) whereas male ticks attached for 1–3 days. The linear growth rate of birds carrying female ticks (0.24 g/day) was significantly different from that of nonparasitized nestlings of the same age and similar (or even lower) hatching weight (4.07 g/day). Parasitized nestlings that fledged did so 5.2 days later than nonparasitized nestlings of similar age. Only 37.5% of the nestlings infested with female ticks fledged compared with 83.3% of the noninfested nestlings. During the successful 1998 breeding season, around 100 nestlings died from tick infestation (24.3% of the nestling deaths). Ticks appeared to accelerate nestling mortality during periods of food shortage. Despite an annual difference of two weeks in the timing of breeding of the Roseate Terns between 1997 and 1998, adult ticks parasitized nestlings in July, with an infestation peak occurring between 8–12 July in both years. However, in 1997, nestlings were parasitized at a younger age, suggesting that ticks (nymph stage) must attach to Roseate Tern adults as soon as they make a nest scrape (usually in May). Ironically, the frequent breeding failures of the Roseate Terns will result in lower infestation levels in subsequent years, which will benefit the birds.

Field experiments on the effect of ticks on breeding success and chick health of cattle egrets

Abstract Two experiments compared broods that were naturally tick‐infested with an equal number that were rendered tick‐free by application of an acaricide to their nests and of barriers against further infestation. In the first experiment conducted in 1991–92 nestlings in tick‐infested broods had up to 159 larval ticks at once and a mean infestation of 23.6 larval ticks per chick per day. The chick's mean tick load was inversely correlated with its longevity. Chicks that survived to at least 18 days post‐hatching had significantly lower larval tick loads than those that died by 18 days, excluding the third‐hatched chick in each brood whose survival rate was low irrespective of tick‐infestation. At 7 days post‐hatching, tick‐infested chicks had a lower haematocrit and higher polychromasia than tick‐free chicks. I infer that blood loss anaemia caused the deaths of tick‐infested chicks in their first week. None died in their second week and the demise of those in their third week may have been due to the paralysis manifested prior to their death. I conclude that heavy tick infestation of their chicks reduced the breeding success of the parent egrets below that of the egrets whose chicks were kept free of ticks. In the second experiment in the 1992–93 season the mean level of tick infestation was much lower (5.1 per chick) and these chicks survived equally with tick‐free chicks through fledging.

Grooming in impala: Role of oral grooming in removal of ticks and effects of ticks in increasing grooming rate

In Experiment 1, five adult female impala were fitted with harnesses that restrained oral self-grooming of the anterior part of the body. At the same time, six cohoused female impala were fitted with control harnesses that allowed normal oral grooming. The impala were allowed to habituate to the harnesses for 10 days, and both groups were then exposed to larval ticks ( Boophilus decoloratus) by herding them into a tick-seeding corral. During the third week following tick seeding, when female ticks were estimated to have developed into engorging adults, the impala were immobilized, tick numbers on the animals sampled by patch sampling, and the hardness removed. Observations continued for 5 days following removal of the harnesses. Twenty-minute focal observations were conducted daily on each impala during the habituation, tick-seeded, and postharness phases. Restrained impala had a median of 20 times more adult female ticks (both engorged and unengorged) than control impala. Oral grooming, which had been suppressed in the restrained impala duting habituation and tick-seeded phases, increased 10-fold once the harnesses were removed and occurred 2.5 times more frequently than in control impala during the postharness phase. In Experiment 2, 15 adult female impala were seeded with larval ticks as in Experiment 1; in week 3 after tick seeding all ticks were removed from animals by application of an acaricide. Grooming was recorded during 3 weeks of baseline observations prior to tick seeding, 3 weeks after tick seeding, and then for 3 weeks beginning 1 week after acaricide treatment. Oral grooming and scratch grooming significantly increased from baseline during tick seeding and significantly declined following removal of the ticks with acaracide. Taken together, the two experiments demonstrate that oral grooming is very effective and important in removing fitness-compromising ticks in free-ranging impala. Correspondingly, exposure to, and subsequent infestation by, ticks increases the rate of grooming.

Effects of tick infestation and tick-borne disease infections (heartwater, anaplasmosis and babesiosis) on the lactation and weight gain of Mashona cattle in south-eastern Zimbabwe.

The effects of ticks and tick-borne disease infections on the lactation and weight gain of Mashona cattle were studied at Mbizi Quarantine Station in the south-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe. Twenty-nine Mashona cows were allocated to 2 balanced groups and kept in separate paddocks at a stocking rate of one animal per 8 ha. One group received regular acaricide treatment to control bont (Amblyomma hebraeum) and other ticks. The other group was left untreated. The cows were artificially inseminated. The acaricide-treated cows and calves were essentially tick free throughout the experiment, while the untreated cows and calves were continuously tick infested. There was a drought-related decline in tick infestations in the second year of the experiment. Antibodies to Cowdria ruminantium, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale were detected in cows and calves from both groups, though the untreated group had significantly higher titres to C. ruminantium (P < 0.001). The total, measured amount of milk suckled by untreated calves was significantly more than treated calves (273 kg vs. 241 kg, P < or = 0.05). By interpolating between the twice weekly measurements, it was calculated that over the entire lactation untreated calves suckled an average of 935 kg/hd vs. 837 kg/hd for the treated group. There were no statistical differences in the weights of the 2 groups of calves at birth, weaning, 180 and 210 days post partum (P < 0.05). For cows, there were no statistically significant differences in gestation periods (288 vs. 279 days), reconception rates or weight patterns over time (P < 0.05). The results show that intensive acaricide treatment in areas of Zimbabwe where heartwater is enzootically stable is uneconomical. The maintenance of enzootic stability for tick-borne diseases through minimal tick control is clearly a more economic and practical control option.