Invasive cattle ticks in East Africa: morphological and molecular confirmation of the presence of Rhipicephalus microplus in south-eastern Uganda

Abstract

Background: Rhipicephalus microplus, an invasive tick species of Asian origin and the main vector of Babesia species, is considered one of the most widespread ectoparasites of livestock. The tick has spread from its native habitats on translocated livestock to large parts of the tropical world, where it has replaced some of the local populations of Rhipicephalus decoloratus ticks. Although the tick was reported in Uganda 70 years ago, it has not been found in any subsequent surveys. This study was carried out to update the national tick species distribution on livestock in Uganda as a basis for tick and tick-borne disease control, with particular reference to R. microplus. Methods: The study was carried out in Kadungulu, Serere district, southeastern Uganda, which is dominated by small scale livestock producers. All the ticks collected from 240 cattle from six villages were identified microscopically. Five R. microplus specimens were further processed for phylogenetic analysis and species confirmation. Results: The predominant tick species found on cattle was Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (86.9 %; n = 16,509). Other species found were Amblyomma variegatum (7.2 %; n = 1377), Rhipicephalus evertsi (2.3 %; n = 434) and R. microplus (3.6 %; n = 687). Phylogenetic analysis of the 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and ITS2 gene sequences of R. microplus confirmed the morphological identification. Conclusions: It is concluded that R. microplus has replaced R. decoloratus in the sampled villages in Kadungulu subcounty, since the latter was not any longer found in this area. There is currently no livestock movement policy in force in Uganda, which could possibly limit the further spread of R. microplus ticks. Future surveys, but also retrospective surveys of museum specimens, will reveal the extent of distribution of R. microplus in Uganda and also for how long this tick has been present on livestock without being noticed.

Assessing the Immunochromatographic Test Strip for Serological Detection of Bovine Babesiosis in Uganda

“…microplus had never been reported was startling. However, a report by Muhanguzi et al [43] complimented our findings after confirming the presence of Rhipicephalus (B.) microplus ticks in south-eastern Uganda.…”

Prevalence of tick-transmitted pathogens in cattle reveals that Theileria parva, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale are endemic in Burundi

“…However, recent studies have reported the expansion of the invasive R. microplus in Africa [ 34 ], with reports of it spreading rapidly across West and Central Africa [ 35 ]. This tick has recently been reported in eastern Uganda [ 36 ], confirmed to be present in Kenya and is known to occur in Tanzania and Zambia, where it has largely replaced the indigenous R. decoloratus [ 37 , 38 ]. The wide occurrence and distribution of R. decoloratus ticks across the country explains the observed high prevalence of B. bigemina and A. marginale in different communes within Burundi [ 39 ].…”

Tick Fauna and Associated Rickettsia, Theileria, and Babesia spp. in Domestic Animals in Sudan (North Kordofan and Kassala States)

“…Map showing the location of Sudan in Africa (small map) and the location of the study areas in Sudan (North Kordofan and Kassala states, indicated by orange). Sampling was conducted in Sheikan (1), Al-Rahad (2), Um-Ruwabah (3), West Kassala (4), Kashm el Griba (5), Kassala (6), Aroomah (7) and Wagar (8). The map was created using ArcGIS v. 10 (esri Inc., Redlands, CA, USA).…”

“…Tubes were labelled (location, animal species and date of collection) and sent to the Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany, where ticks were identified to species level using morphological characteristics described by Apanaskevich and Horak [22], Apanaskevich and Horak [23], Apanaskevich and Horak [24], Apanaskevich, et al [25], Voltzit and Keirans [26] and Walker, et al [10,27]. 7and Wagar (8). The map was created using ArcGIS v. 10 (esri Inc., Redlands, CA, USA).…”

“…This is clearly illustrated by the introduction of Rhipicephalus microplus , vector of the cattle parasites Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina , into several African countries, which led to displacement of native Rhipicephalus spp. and may result in increased Babesia transmission [ 8 , 9 ].…”