Epidemiology of Ticks and Tick-Borne Hemopathogens of Cattle in Two Selected Districts of Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Ticks and tick-borne haemopathogens are major obstacles to cattle production causing significant economic losses in Ethiopia.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiology of ticks and tick-borne haemopathogens in cattle in Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods: Cross-sectional studies were conducted in dry and short rainy seasons. A stratified random sampling technique was employed. Accordingly, a total of 392 cattle were examined. During sampling parameters like; sex, age, breed, body condition score, district and production system were recorded for each animal. Ticks were collected from each animal and examined under stereomicroscope for species identification. The blood sample was taken from the ear vein by pricking with a lancet and then thin smear was made with a frosted microscopic slide and stained with Giemsa for the detection of haemopathogen infections with 100× oil immersion magnification.

Results: Of the 392 cattle examined, 87.8% and 17.1% were positive for tick infestation and tick-borne haemopathogens, respectively. The prevalence of tick and tick-borne haemopathogens was 93.9% and 27% in the short rainy season and 81.6% and 7.1% in the dry season, respectively. Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) genera, and A. variegatum, A. lepidum, Rh. evertsi, Hy. rufipes and Rh. (B.) decoloratus species were identified. Rhipicephalus (B.) decoloratus was the most prevalent (66.1%) and abundant (38%) tick species. Season, district, age and sex showed significant (p < 0.05) associations with tick infestations. Babesia bigemina (10%), Anaplasma marginale (5.4%), Theileria species (3.1%) and Anaplasma centrale (1.3%) haemopopathogens were detected. Except, for Anaplasma central, they had a significant (p < 0.05) association with season.

Conclusion: Ticks and tick-borne haemopathogens were found to be prevalent and had seasonal dynamics. Therefore, strategic and integrated control approaches against the vector and the parasite should be designed.