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Tropical animal health and production2011; 44(1); 119-124; doi: 10.1007/s11250-011-9897-y

Prevalence and species composition of ixodid ticks infesting horses in three agroecologies in central Oromia, Ethiopia.

Abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the species composition and prevalence of ixodid ticks infesting horses in three agroecological zones in central Ethiopia. For this purpose, a total of 1,168 horses were examined for tick infestation. An overall prevalence of 39.04% of tick infestation on horses was recorded. A total of 917 adult ticks were collected from infested horses. Amblyomma, Boophilus, Rhipicephalus, and Hyalomma genera with the respective prevalence of 3.2%, 1.8%, 29.2%, and 4.7% were identified. In the study, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi was encountered with the highest prevalence (15.8%) whereas Amblyomma gemma was with lowest prevalence (1.5%). From the highland, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes (3.1%), Hyalomma truncatum (1.0%), and Boophilus decoloratus (0.3%) were identified. From the midland, R. evertsi evertsi (27.5%), Rhipicephalus pulchellus (18%), Amblyomma variegatum (3.6%), B. decoloratus (2.8%), H. marginatum rufipes (2.6%), H. truncatum (1.8%), and A. gemma (1.5%) were identified. R. evertsi evertsi, 107 (27.5%), was with the highest prevalence in the midland. From the lowland, R. pulchellus (22.3%), R. evertsi evertsi (20%), H. truncatum (3.6%), A. gemma (3.1%), B. decoloratus (2.3%), H. marginatum rufipes (2.1%), and A. variegatum (1.5%) were identified. In the lowland, R. pulchellus, 87 (22.3%), was the most abundant tick species. The overall prevalence of tick infestation on horses was significantly (P<0.05) higher both in the midland, 225 (57.8%), and the lowland, 214 (54.87%), than the highland, 17 (4.4%). This suggests that horses in midland and lowland are at higher risk of tick infestation than those horses in the highland. Further studies on the role of ticks in transmission of diseases to equines and the importance of horses as alternative hosts in different parts of Ethiopia are needed.
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Publication Date: 2011-06-09 PubMed ID: 21656133DOI: 10.1007/s11250-011-9897-yGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates the prevalence and types of ticks found on horses in three different agricultural environments located in central Ethiopia. Results show that horses residing in the midland and lowland regions experience a higher infestation rate compared to those in the highland area.

Research Methodology and Sample Collection

  • The study was structured as a cross-sectional examination of the prevalence and composition of ixodid ticks, a family of hard-bodied ticks, present on horses in central Ethiopia.
  • The team selected 1,168 horses from three agrarian zones for examination. These regions were distinguished by their respective altitude levels: highland, midland, and lowland.
  • The study’s focus was primarily on the adult ticks procured from the horses, amounting to a total of 917 specimens.

Findings and Observations

  • Results signaled an overall prevalence of 39.04% in tick infestation among the horses.
  • The ticks identified were from the Amblyomma, Boophilus, Rhipicephalus, and Hyalomma genera, with their occurrence ranging from 1.8% to 29.2%.
  • The Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi species was the most common, with a prevalence of 15.8%, while the Amblyomma gemma species was the least prevalent, at just 1.5%.

Variation Across Agroecological Zones

  • Different species were recorded in the three distinct zones, and the tick prevalence varied among them.
  • In the highland region, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Hyalomma truncatum, and Boophilus decoloratus were identified, with the former having the highest occurrence.
  • Among midland horses, R. evertsi evertsi was found to be most common, followed by Rhipicephalus pulchellus and others.
  • Lowland horses were found to be primarily infested with R. pulchellus, followed by R. evertsi evertsi and other species.

Conclusion and Implications

  • Overall, midland and lowland zones posted significantly higher tick infestation rates of 57.8% and 54.87%, respectively, compared to the highland area, which had a mere 4.4% prevalence.
  • The study emphasizes an apparent correlation between agroecological zone and risk of tick infestation, with horses in the midland and lowland regions more susceptible.
  • The research concludes with the suggestion for further investigations into the role of ticks in disease transmission to horses and the impact of horses as alternative hosts in diverse Ethiopian regions.

Cite This Article

APA
Kumsa B, Tamrat H, Tadesse G, Aklilu N, Cassini R. (2011). Prevalence and species composition of ixodid ticks infesting horses in three agroecologies in central Oromia, Ethiopia. Trop Anim Health Prod, 44(1), 119-124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9897-y

Publication

Tropical animal health and production
ISSN: 1573-7438
NlmUniqueID: 1277355
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 44
Issue: 1
Pages: 119-124

Researcher Affiliations

Kumsa, Bersissa
  • Department of Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia. bersissak@yahoo.com
Tamrat, Habtamu
    Tadesse, Getachew
      Aklilu, Nigatu
        Cassini, Rudi

          MeSH Terms

          • Agriculture
          • Animals
          • Cross-Sectional Studies
          • Ethiopia / epidemiology
          • Female
          • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / parasitology
          • Horses
          • Ixodidae / classification
          • Male
          • Prevalence
          • Seasons
          • Tick Infestations / epidemiology
          • Tick Infestations / parasitology
          • Tick Infestations / veterinary

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          This article has been cited 12 times.
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