Prevalence and tick loads in Nguni cattle reared in different environmental conditions across four provinces of South Africa.
| Autor: | Mapholi NO; Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa., Banga C; Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa.; Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gaborone, Botswana., Dzama K; Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, South Africa., Matika O; The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom., Riggio V; The Roslin Institute and R(D)SVS, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.; Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom., Nyangiwe N; Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Florida, South Africa.; Dohne Agricultural Development Institute, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa., Maiwashe A; Agricultural Research Council, Irene, South Africa. |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Zdroj: | Veterinary world [Vet World] 2022 Aug; Vol. 15 (8), pp. 1943-1953. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Aug 17. |
| DOI: | 10.14202/vetworld.2022.1943-1953 |
| Abstrakt: | Background and Aim: In tropical and subtropical countries, ixodid ticks are among livestock's most economically important ectoparasites. Although Nguni cattle from South Africa have adapted to harsh environments, it is unknown whether they will be resistant to ticks, and the diseases carried by ticks under various climatic conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to compare tick load and estimate the prevalence of different tick species among Nguni cattle under different environmental conditions. Materials and Methods: Tick counts were conducted monthly under natural challenges over 2 years on 586 Nguni cattle located at ARC-Roodeplaat and Loskop farms (warmer climate), Mukhuthali Nguni Community and the University of Fort Hare farms (cooler climate). The generalized linear model procedure of the Statistical Analysis System was used to analyze the data. It fitted the location (farm), sex, year, month or season, and animal age as covariates. Results: The tick species (relative prevalence) observed were as follows: Amblyomma hebraeum (42%), Rhipicephalus evertsi (22%), Rhipicephalus ( Boophilus ) spp. (16%), Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (11%), Hyalomma marginatum (5%), and Rhipicephalus simus (4%). Tick infestation was significantly affected by location, season, year, month of the tick counting and age of the animal. Loskop farm had the highest tick count (m = 30.69) and showed the largest variation in tick count. Compared to the other seasons, higher tick counts were seen during the hot-dry (September-November) and hot-wet (December-February) seasons. A. hebraeum was the dominant tick species across all four farms, followed by R. evertsi . The perianal region (under the tail head), the perineum and the belly body locations were the most preferred tick attachment sites. Conclusion: These results provide useful information for developing appropriate control strategies for ticks and tick-borne diseases in these provinces of South Africa. Further work must investigate the feasibility of genetic improvement for tick resistance. Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. (Copyright: © Mapholi, et al.) |
| Databáze: | MEDLINE |
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