Some studies on the role of ticks in transmitting Trypanosoma spp. in farm animals

Abstract

The present study was conducted in order to determine the role of ticks in transmitting trypanosomiasis in farm animals through collection, identification and examination of ticks infesting farm animals (cattle and camels). In addition to collection and examination of blood samples for parasite detection .Also to study seasonal, rate and infestation dynamics of tick spp. infesting animals in the examined localities.

The present work studied also the role of Ornithodoros savignyi in transmitting Trypanosoma evansi to lab animals experimentally. During the period of study, three tick species were collected from Giza, Beni Suef and Red Sea governorates, and identified as Hyalomma dromedarii, Rhipicephalus Boophilus annulatus and Ornithodoros savignyi sp. Rhipicephalus Boophilus annulatus was the highest abundant among species (57.6%), followed by Hyalomma dromedarii (35. 1 %) and Ornithodoros savignyi (12.6%). The results investigated that the percentage of infestation with ticks reached its peak during the period from June to November (hot season). The highest number of Hyalomma dromedarii and Rhiipecephalus Boophilus annulatus were observed in autumn season then summer and spring and decrease in winter season. Our investigation showed that the infestation density of Rhipicephalus Boophilus annulatus ticks were the highest in Beni Suef than that in Giza governorates. About 495 of cattle from a total of 970 cattle were infested with Rhipicephalus Boophilus annulatus ticks in both governorates (51%). Also the infestation density of Hyalomma dromedarii ticks were high in Beni Suef than that in Giza governorates. About 265 of camels from a total of 683 camels were infested with Hyalomma dromedarii ticks in both governorates (38.79%).