IDENTIFICATION OF TICKS AND PREVALENCE OF TICK BORNE PATHOGENS FROM LARGE ANIMALS

Abstract

The livestock industry plays a crucial role in the economy of Pakistan, and it involves raising various types of ruminants, such as cattle and buffaloes, to fulfill the increasing demand for meat, milk, and hide products. Ticks, which are commonly known to be carriers of tick-borne diseases and various pathogens, are widespread in Pakistan because of the country's favorable subtropical climate. These ticks infest both large and small ruminants, causing infestation and death, as well as financial losses to farmers. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of ticks in large animals in selected regions of southern Pakistan during the year 2021-2022. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the types of ticks that infest these animals and the pathogens associated with them. The identified tick species were Hy. anatolicum, R. sanguineus, Hy. excavatum, Hy. marginatum, Hae. punctata, Hae. bispinosa, Hae. sulcata, R. appendiculatus, and Hy. dromedarii. Overall, the infestation (26.78%) of Hy. anatolicum was followed by R. sanguineus (22.72%), Hy. excavatum (14.31%), Hy. marginatum (12.34%), Hae. punctata (6.75%), Hae. bispinosa (6.20%), Hae. sulcata (4.66%), R. appendiculatus (3.43%), and Hy. dromedarii (2.76%). The most infested part of host was tail with 47.6% prevalence followed by udder (27.88%), dewlap (10.38%), ear (6.75%), shoulder (2.7%), testes (1.78%), genitalia (1.47%), thighs (0.79%) and neck (0.61%). Hepatozoon spp., Rickettsia massiliae, Theileria annulat, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina, Babesia ovis, Borrelia spp., Piroplasms and Francisella-like pathogens were detected. The maximum prevalence of R. massiliae was recorded followed by Rickettsia spp. According to this information, it is probable that individuals and animals residing in these ecological zones face a significant risk of contracting rickettsiosis. This is due to the fact that ticks carrying Rickettsia spp. were found to have the highest rates of infection compared to other tick-borne pathogens in Pakistan.