https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/1/4175/63.6.full.pdf

Methods of Statistics

Studies on prevalence, risk indicators and control options for tick infestation in ruminants

Considering the economic impact of various ticks species on livestock, the present study was conducted for epidemiological characterize of common ticks infesting Indian zebu cattle between July 2010 and June 2011 period at various locations of Mathura region of India. A total of 2,515 zebu cattle were examined on random basis throughout the year. The overall prevalence of ticks infestation in cattle was 60.07 %. The highest prevalence was reported in September (75 %) while the lowest was in January (46.07 %). On seasonal investigation highest tick infestation was found in rainy season (69.46 %), followed by summer (62.55 %) while lowest in the winter (47.96 %). Overall highest percentage of tick infestations was noticed in the group I animals of less than 1 year age (80.21 %) followed by group II animals of age between 1 and 3 years (68.48 %) and lowest in group III animals of age greater than 3 years (44.85 %). On the basis of morphological studies, two species of ticks were identified namely Boophilus microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum. The most common feeding sites for adult ticks were neck, axilla, belly, groin, udder, perineal regions and tail.

Prevalence and seasonal variation in ixodid ticks on cattle of Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh

The current research was conducted to define the epidemiological parameters related to the prevalence and associated risk factors of tick infestation in buffaloes in the Toba Tek Singh District of central Punjab, Pakistan. The prevalence of ticks on buffaloes was 31.21 % (352/1,128). Among the species of ticks, the prevalence of Hyalomma marginatum (75.56 %; 266/352) was higher (P 0.05). With regard to management and husbandry practices, the prevalence of ticks was higher in animals kept on uncemented flooring (54.55 %; 192/352; OR = 1.90) followed in order by partially cemented (28.69 %; 101/352; OR = 1.71) and fully cemented flooring (16.76 %; 59/352). With regard to feeding systems, grazing animals (64.20 %; 226/352) were more burdened compared to stall-fed animals (35.80 %; 126/352). The highest tick prevalence was recorded in closed housing systems (52.27 %; 184/352), followed by semi-closed (34.09 %; 120/352; OR = 1.53), and open housing systems (13.64 %; 48/352). Rope-tied animals (70.73 %; 249/352) were more parasitized (P > 0.05) than open (29.27 %; 103/352). Prevalence in the study district was highest in tehsil Kamalia followed in order by T.T. Singh and Gojra. The primary body area of infestation by ticks (head, neck, ear, dewlap, back, abdomen, foreleg, shoulder, hind leg, congenital areas, and tail) ranged from highest at inside thigh (17 %) to lowest at rump. In the present survey, the highest prevalence was recorded in July and lowest in December. Comparison of hematological changes showed remarkable differences between infested and non-infested animals, in the form of low values of infested animals, whereas an increment in biochemical parameter values was observed in tick-infested animals. The present study provides significant data to enhance planning for tick control program in the study area.

Frequency distribution of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting bubaline population of district Toba Tek Singh, Punjab, Pakistan

Tick-borne diseases are considered a major hindrance to the health and productive performance of cattle in Bangladesh. To elucidate the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in local cattle, a cross-sectional study was performed in the 12 subdistricts (Upazilas) of Mymensingh district in Bangladesh. Blood samples and ticks were collected from 384 clinically healthy cattle kept by 135 farmers from 96 randomly selected villages. DNA extracted from the blood samples was subsequently screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a Reverse Line Blot (RLB) hybridization assay using an in-house prepared chemiluminescence solution for the presence of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, Babesia and Theileria spp. A total of 2,287 ticks were collected from 232 infested cattle (60.4%, 232/384) and identified morphologically as Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (n = 1,432, 62.6%) and Haemaphysalis bispinosa (n = 855; 37.4%). The RLB results demonstrated that the majority of the cattle (62.2%) were infected with at least one TBP. Theileria orientalis infections were most common (212/384, 55.2%) followed by infections with Anaplasma bovis (137/384, 35.67%), Anaplasma marginale (16/384, 4.17%), Babesia bigemina (4/384, 1.04%) and Babesia bovis (2/384, 0.52%). A previously uncharacterized Anaplasma sp. (Anaplasma sp. Mymensingh) and Babesia sp. (Babesia sp. Mymensingh), which are genetically closely related to Anaplasma platys and B. bigemina, were detected in 50 of 384 (13.0%) and 1 of 384 (0.3%) of the blood samples, respectively. Key risk factors for the occurrence of T. orientalis, A. marginale and Anaplasma sp. Mymensingh were identified. In conclusion, this study revealed that cattle in Mymensingh district are mainly infested with R. microplus and H. bispinosa ticks and may carry multiple TBPs. In addition, two previously uncharacterized pathogens were detected in the bovine blood samples. The pathogenicity of these species remains to be determined.

Molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens infecting cattle in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh reveals emerging species of Anaplasma and Babesia.

management of cattle, seasons of the year, topography of the area and different body parts of the host. A total number of 380 cattle were examined, of which 138 (36.31%) cattle were found infested. Three species of ticks were identified namely Boophilus microplus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Haemaphysalis bispinosa. The range of tick burden was 1 to 7 per four square inch of heavily infested area of Chittagong District. Mean tick burden was also high in case of B. microplus (2.77 ± 0.18) followed by H. bispinosa (1.03 ± 0.12) and R. sanguineus (0.83 ± 0.10). Prevalence was significantly (p 1.5 years of age (27.80%). Infestation of tick was significantly higher (p<0.01) in female (59.37%) than the male (35.83%) cattle. Tick infestation was more prevalent in local (43.82%) cattle than the cross-bred (24.13%) cattle. Field grazing (41.96%) cattle were more susceptible (p<0.01) to tick infestation than the stall-feeding (24.8%) animals. Prevalence of tick infestation was significantly (p<0.01) higher in summer (41.66%) season followed by winter (31.5%) season. Ticks were widely distributed in different parts of the host body such as ear, neck, tail, mammary gland, udder, groin and perianal region of which groin (48.75%) was most affected parts of animal body and face and neck (30%) was the least. Prevalence of tick infestation was significantly (p<0.01) higher in hilly area (44.44%) followed by plain area (30.27%). It is concluded that B. microplus is the main tick species identified and threatening to the cattle population in Chittagong District irrespective of age, sex, breed of the animal, seasons of the year and topography of the study area.

An epidemiological survey on investigation of tick infestation in cattle at Chittagong District, Bangladesh

The study was conducted for the detection of persistence of maternally derived antibody (MDA) in young quails as well as comparative evaluation of antibody production following intraocular instillation of Avi New ® (VG/GA strain), Bangla BCRDV ® , Cevac New L ® (LaSota strain) and BCRDV-F strain of Lentogenic vaccine. The other objective of the investigation was to determine the effect of Lisovit ® on elucidation of immunity. A total number of 50 day old young Japanese quails were collected from the BAU poultry farm, Mymensingh and that divided into five experimental groups such as A, B, C, D and E. The group A was provided with Lisovit ® and vaccinated with Avi

M. A. Mannan

Papers

An epidemiological survey on investigation of tick infestation in cattle at Chittagong District, Bangladesh

Effect of lisovit ® on the immune status of japanese quail vaccinated with lentogenic strains of ndv vaccine