Prevalence and risk factors associated with ectoparasite infestation of buffaloes in an Amazonian ecosystem

Abstract

BackgroundThe water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is well adapted in some regions of the Amazon. Of all Brazilian states, Pará contains the largest number of this species, with 510,000 animals, approximately 38% of the Brazilian buffaloes. Despite the socioeconomic importance of bubaline farming in the northern region, little is known about the prevalence of ectoparasites that affect buffalo herds. This study aimed to identify the species of buffalo ectoparasites in the municipality of Santarém, Pará, and to determine possible risk factors related to ectoparasitic infestation. A cross-sectional study was conducted by sampling 60 rural properties and 621 buffaloes for ectoparasites. When present, ectoparasites were collected for subsequent identification.ResultsOf all the animals sampled, 18.5% (115/621) had ectoparasites, 7.8% (49/621) had ticks from the species Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Amblyomma cajennense (sensu stricto), and 11.5% (72/621) had lice from the Haematopinus tuberculatus species. Six animals presented mixed infestations of ticks and lice. Among the sampled farms, 51.6% (31/60) had at least one animal infested with ectoparasites. The prevalence of ticks and lice on buffaloes was associated with the farm site, with higher prevalence (11.5% ticks, 15.4% lice) in animals at dry land (OR: 16.7 and 5.7 for ticks and lice, respectively) when compared with floodplains (0.5% ticks, 3.4% lice). Buffaloes aged 1 to 12 months had more ticks whereas buffaloes aged 13 to 24 months had more lice (P < 0.05).ConclusionsBuffaloes bred in the municipality of Santarém present different levels of tick and lice infestation according to the direct influence of Amazon ecosystem characteristics. The floodplain environment, widely used for buffalo farming, contributes toward minor ectoparasite infestations in these animals.

Occurrence of Amblyomma mixtum on the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Mexico

“…This is the first report of Amblyomma mixtum on water buffaloes in the Americas, particularly in Mexico. Although in Brazil the presence of a nearby species, Amblyomma cajennese sensu stricto .s., has been recorded in a few previous works ( do Nascimento Corrêa et al, 2012 ; Batista et al, 2018 )., the record of A. mixtum is relevant because this species exhibits a greater plasticity and can be found in a large number of environments including semi-arid grasslands and subtropical secondary forests with preference of localities with sustained high temperatures ( Estrada-Peña et al, 2004 ). Additionally, A. mixtum parasitizes a wide range of hosts and can take advantage of the nutritional resources present in the area ( Guzmán-Cornejo et al, 2011 ; Nava et al, 2014 ; Rodríguez-Vivas et al, 2016 ).…”

“…In Brazil, only a few species of ticks have been recorded on water buffaloes including Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto, Amblyomma sculptum , Amblyomma maculatum , Dermacentor nitens and Rhipicephalus ( Boophilus ) microplus ( do Nascimento Corrêa et al, 2012 ; Nava et al, 2014 ; do Nascimento Corrêa et al, 2012 ; Batista et al, 2018 ). Several of these species are vectors of microorganisms that can have an impact on animal health and production as well as human health, such as Babesia bovis ( R.…”

Bubalus bubalis: A Short Story

“…Buffaloes can be affected by the same diseases and parasites as cattle; the extent to which they are affected varies drastically depending on the country, region, and production system. Buffalo breeds have varying degrees of tick resistance; however, buffaloes are infested by the louse Haematopinus tuberculatus that is specific to them (14). Brucellosis, tuberculosis, leptospirosis, bovine viral diarrhea, fasciolosis, foot-and-mouth disease, and protozoal infections have important economic impacts on the water buffalo industry.…”

Miliary Bovine Tuberculosis in Buffaloes in Al-Muthanna Governorate, Iraq

“…Buffaloes are affected by various pathogens and can be infected by the same diseases and parasites as bovines, with considerable variations in susceptibility according to country and region. Various external parasites can infest buffaloes, such as Haematopinus tuberculatus, with a degree of resistance to ticks [2]. Various diseases like foot and mouth disease, bovine viral diarrhea, brucellosis, leptospirosis, fasciolosis, babesiosis, theileriosis, and tuberculosis are affected by water buffaloes, accompanied by economic influences.…”