Exploring the prevalence and diversity of bovine ticks in five agro-ecological zones of Pakistan using phenetic and genetic tools

Ghafar, Abdul; Gasser, Robin B.; Rashid, Imran; Ghafoor, Aamir; Jabbar, Abdul

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101472

Cited by 32 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…This study provides the first insight into the molecular diversity of ticks, TBPs and endosymbionts in ticks from small ruminants in the FATA, Pakistan. The occurrence of Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus species characterized in our study is consistent with what has been reported previously from small and large ruminants in selected areas of Pakistan [8,15,50]. However, this study provides the first genetic evidence for Hs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

An Assessment of the Molecular Diversity of Ticks and Tick-Borne Microorganisms of Small Ruminants in Pakistan

et al. 2020

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This study investigated ticks and tick-borne microorganisms of small ruminants from five districts of the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Pakistan. Morphological (n = 104) and molecular (n = 54) characterization of the ticks revealed the presence of six ixodid ticks: Rhipicephalus (Rh.) haemaphysaloides, Rh. microplus, Rh. turanicus, Haemaphysalis (Hs.) punctata, Hs. sulcata and Hyalomma anatolicum. Phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequence data for two mitochondrial (16S and cytochrome c oxidase 1) and one nuclear (second internal transcribed spacer) DNA regions provided strong support for the grouping of the six tick species identified in this study. Microfluidic real-time PCR, employing multiple pre-validated nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers, detected 11 potential pathogens and endosymbionts in 72.2% of the ticks (n = 54) tested. Rickettsia (R.) massiliae was the most common pathogen found (42.6% of ticks) followed by Theileria spp. (33.3%), Anaplasma (A.) ovis and R. slovaca (25.9% each). Anaplasma centrale, A. marginale, Ehrlichia spp., R. aeschlimannii, R. conorii and endosymbionts (Francisella- and Coxiella-like) were detected at much lower rates (1.9–22.2%) in ticks. Ticks from goats (83.9%) carried significantly higher microorganisms than those from sheep (56.5%). This study demonstrates that ticks of small ruminants from the FATA are carrying multiple microorganisms of veterinary and medical health significance and provides the basis for future investigations of ticks and tick-borne diseases of animals and humans in this and neighboring regions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

An Assessment of the Molecular Diversity of Ticks and Tick-Borne Microorganisms of Small Ruminants in Pakistan

et al. 2020

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“…annulatus and Rh. microplus) across five AEZs of Pakistan [72]. However, for small ruminants, only a small population of sheep [number of individuals (N = 18)] and goats (N = 80) from arid and semi-arid AEZs of Punjab province [19] was examined for tick infestation.…”

Section: Epidemiology Of Ticksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In small ruminants, CCHF is usually asymptomatic, but it can be life-threatening in humans [138], who usually become infected upon exposure to a vector (Hyalomma) or body fluids of the infected animals [138]. In Pakistan, farmers and veterinarians are at a higher risk of CCHF due to the limited knowledge of the disease and its transmission, high tick prevalence-particularly ticks of the genus Hyalomma which is the principal vector for CCHFV-on small-scale farms, poor diagnostic facilities and the lack of control and preventive measures for both ticks and the virus [72,92].…”

Section: Other Tick-borne Diseases (Tbds) Of Small Ruminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Concurrently, research should also be focused on unexplored areas of population genomics of TTBPs using high-throughput techniques such as NGS and microfluidics. As discussed earlier, the current focus of research is on the control of TTBDis of large ruminants in this country [72,119,[160][161][162], however, in a predominantly mixed-species farming system where small and large ruminants are reared together, sheep and goats could serve as alternative hosts for TTBPs of large ruminants [163,164]. Therefore, for the effective control of TTBDis of livestock in Pakistan, it is imperative to design future studies including common livestock species that are kept in proximity.…”

Section: Conclusion and Future Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Systematic Review of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens of Small Ruminants in Pakistan

et al. 2020

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Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDis) are a major constraint to the health and production of small ruminants in Pakistan. Despite being the subject of intermittent studies over the past few decades, comprehensive information on the epidemiology and control of TTBDis is lacking. Herein, we have systematically reviewed the current knowledge on TTBDis of small ruminants in Pakistan. Critical appraisal of the selected 71 articles published between 1947 to 2020 revealed that morphological examination had been the most widely used method for the identification of TTBDis in Pakistan. Tick fauna comprise at least 40 species, mainly belonging to Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus. The prevalence of ticks is the highest in summer (June–September) and it is also higher in goats than sheep. Anaplasma, Babesia and Theileria spp. are the major tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), and their prevalence is usually higher in sheep than goats. Spatio-temporal distribution, genetic diversity and control of ticks and TBPs of small ruminants as well as the competence of tick vectors for various TBPs remain to be explored. Therefore, coordinated and focused investigations are required to fill knowledge gaps in these areas to maximise the health, production and welfare of small ruminants and minimise economic losses associated with TTBDis in Pakistan.

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“…The genetic diversity detected within some piroplasm was conspicuous, and exemplified the utility of PCR-directed NGS to identify existing and novel piroplasm taxa of veterinary and/or public health significance. The variation in composition of piroplasm populations in bovines between or among some districts is likely associated with differing prevalences of suitable tick vectors, as indicated recently [59,60], and encourages detailed investigations of the abundance and diversity of pathogens in vector populations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing and Informatics as an Effective Tool to Establish the Composition of Bovine Piroplasm Populations in Endemic Regions

et al. 2020

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Protists of the genera Babesia and Theileria (piroplasms) cause some of the most prevalent and debilitating diseases for bovines worldwide. In this study, we established and used a next-generation sequencing-informatic approach to explore the composition of Babesia and Theileria populations in cattle and water buffalo in a country (Pakistan) endemic for these pathogens. We collected individual blood samples from cattle (n = 212) and water buffalo (n = 154), extracted genomic DNAs, PCR-amplified the V4 hypervariable region of 18S small subunit rRNA gene from piroplasms, sequenced amplicons using Illumina technology, and then analysed data using bioinformatic platforms. The results revealed piroplasms in 68.9% (252/366) samples, with overall occurrence being markedly higher in cattle (85.8%) than in water buffaloes (45.5%). Babesia (B.) occultans and Theileria (T.) lestoquardi-like species were recorded for the first time in Pakistan, and, overall, T. annulata was most commonly detected (65.8%) followed by B. bovis (7.1%), B. bigemina (4.4%), and T. orientalis (0.5%), with the genetic variability within B. bovis being pronounced. The occurrence and composition of piroplasm species varied markedly across different agro-ecological zones. The high detection of T. annulata in asymptomatic animals suggested a relatively high level of endemic stability of tropical theileriosis in the bovine population.

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Exploring the prevalence and diversity of bovine ticks in five agro-ecological zones of Pakistan using phenetic and genetic tools

Cited by 32 publications

References 52 publications

An Assessment of the Molecular Diversity of Ticks and Tick-Borne Microorganisms of Small Ruminants in Pakistan

An Assessment of the Molecular Diversity of Ticks and Tick-Borne Microorganisms of Small Ruminants in Pakistan

Systematic Review of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens of Small Ruminants in Pakistan

Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing and Informatics as an Effective Tool to Establish the Composition of Bovine Piroplasm Populations in Endemic Regions

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