Babesiosis in cattle and ixodid tick distribution in Dasenech and Salamago Districts, southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Babesiosis, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia, and ixodid ticks are considered to be one of the most important causes that result in significant economic losses in cattle production worldwide, including in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was undertaken in the Dasenech and Salamago Districts of South Omo zone Ethiopia to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of babesia infection and ixodid ticks of cattle using Giemsa-stained thin and thick film techniques and morphological identification keys for babesia species and tick identification, respectively. Out of 470 examined cattle, 102 (21.7%) were infected by Babesiosis (15.53% Babesia bigemina and 6.17% Babesia bovis). A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was observed between babesia infection and season and tick infestation. However, cattle that were infected with the Babesia parasite revealed a lower mean PCV value (21.49%) than noninfected cattle (28.29%) and showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) difference with the occurrence of Babesia infection. The overall prevalence of ixodid ticks was 53.8% (253/470) and revealed a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between the season and origin of the animal. However, no statistically significant association (p > 0.05) was observed between sex, age, and body condition score of the animal with the occurrence of ixodid tick. A total of 8040 adult ticks belonging to four tick genera, Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus), Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus, were collected from various body parts and identified. The high prevalence of Babesia infection and ixodid ticks in cattle at the study sites requires seroprevalence and molecular studies to identify the predominant Babesia species and to detect Babesia in tick hemolymph for the identification of tick genera responsible for the occurrence of Babesia infection. Additionally, tailoring suitable and coordinated tick management methods using chemotherapy as well as strategic treatment to overt clinical cases of bovine babesiosis is critical.

Prevalence, Species Identification, and Associated Risk Factor Ixodid Tick Infestation of Cattle in Selamago District Southern Ethiopia

“…24 Recently published articles from Gondar, Eastern Hararghe, and Selamago support the current and previous studies finding in Ethiopia, where Amblyomma is the predominant genus. 19,25,26 The overall prevalence of tick populations in the Selamago district was significantly ( P < .05) higher compared to non-infected ones. The tick species identified were the same as those reported in various parts of Ethiopia.…”

“…There was no significant difference between the body condition score in this study and previous observations in the same area. 19 A significantly higher prevalence was observed in poor-body-conditioned animals than in medium- and good-body-conditioned animals. 37 High prevalence in body-wasted animals is associated with low refraction to tick infestation, whereas animals with good body condition showed reasonable defense capacity against the infestation.…”

“…23 In the same study district, higher tick population counts were observed in the wet season than in the dry season. 19 However, the current study was limited to one season and was not possible to compare between seasons. It is stated that agro-climate associated with temperature and rainfall significantly affects tick survival.…”

“…Recent research in the Selamago district revealed the presence of 4 tick genera: Amblyomma , Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) , Hyalomma , and Rhipicephalus ; however, tick species and major affected body sites were not adequately addressed. 19…”

Prevalence of Ticks and Risk Factors Associated With the Infestation of Sheep in River Nile State, Sudan

“…Th is fi nding was strengthened by the fi ndings of Asmaa et al (2014) who reported higher infestation in animals aged more than 3 years. A higher prevalence of tick infestation may be due to low immunity in older animals and the longmileage movement of older animals searching for food, which increases the probability of infesting with ticks (Fesseha et al, 2022).…”