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Veterinary parasitology2001; 97(1); 1-14; doi: 10.1016/s0304-4017(01)00387-9

Risk factors to tick infestations and their occurrence on horses in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Abstract: From December 1998 to March 1999, 40 stud farms were studied in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. During visits to farms, horses reared under grazing conditions were examined for the presence of ticks. On each farm visit, horse pastures were closely inspected and a questionnaire was given to the farm supervisor with the purpose of gaining information about ecological and management variables (independent variables) that could be associated with the presence and infestation levels of ticks on the farm (dependent variables). Three tick species were found during the study. Anocentor nitens, Amblyomma cajennense and Boophilus microplus were present on horses from 38 (95%), 20 (50%) and four (10%) farms, respectively. All farms that had A. cajennense or B. microplus infestations also had A. nitens infestations. Only one of the four farms with B. microplus infestations on the horses also had A. cajennense infestations. Two farms had all horses free of ticks. There was a strong association between the presence of infestation by B. microplus on horses and the simultaneous use of a grazing area by cattle and horses (P = 0.000). There was no statistical association between any of the independent variables and the presence or infestation level of A. nitens on the horses (P > 0.20). The presence of A. cajennense was statistically associated with the presence of at least one mixed overgrowth pasture in the farm (P = 0.001). A mixed overgrowth pasture means the presence of undesired plants such as bushes and shrubs in the pasture. The presence of high levels of A. cajennense on horses was also associated with the presence of at least one mixed overgrowth pasture in the farm (P = 0.026). The regular use of acaricides was statistically associated with the presence of ticks on the horses (P < 0.05), making this procedure a result of the inefficacy of controlling ticks on the farms. The occurrence of human infestation by ticks was statistically associated with the presence of A. cajennense on the horses (P=0.000). The presence of at least one mixed overgrowth pasture on the farm was associated (P = 0.000) to either higher horse densities and to farms that did not mow all the pastures once a year, indicating that mowing all the pastures at least once a year can be considered a protective factor against the presence of mixed overgrowth pastures on the farm, and consequently, against the presence of A. cajennense on the horses.
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Publication Date: 2001-05-05 PubMed ID: 11337122DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4017(01)00387-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 examines the factors leading to tick infestations on horses in farms across São Paulo, Brazil, identifying three tick species and specific conditions that contribute to their presence.

Study Methodology

  • The researchers visited 40 stud farms in São Paulo, Brazil, between December 1998 and March 1999.
  • During these visits, the researchers inspected horses that were reared under grazing conditions for the presence of ticks.
  • Simultaneously, they also closely examined the pastures of these horses.
  • They conducted interviews with the farm supervisors using a questionnaire to gather information about several environmental and management variables.
  • The information they were interested in pertained to both conditions that could influence the presence of ticks, as well as their infestation levels on the farms.

Findings: Tick Species and Infestation

  • Throughout their study, they discovered three tick species: Anocentor nitens, Amblyomma cajennense and Boophilus microplus.
  • The most prevalent was A. nitens, found on 95% of farms. A.cajennense and B. microplus were found on 50% and 10% of the farms, respectively.
  • Interestingly, all occurrences of A. cajennense and B. microplus infestation were accompanied by an infestation of A. nitens.
  • B. microplus, however, was rarely found in conjunction with an A. cajennense infestation.
  • Just two farms under study were free of all tick species.

Contributing Factors to Tick Infestation

  • The presence of tick infestation, particularly B. microplus, was significantly associated with grazing areas used by both cattle and horses.
  • However, none of the independent variables influenced the presence or infestation level of A. nitens.
  • The presence of A. cajennense was found to be associated with farms having pastures with mixed overgrowth i.e., having unwanted plants including shrubs and bushes.
  • Moderate to high levels of A. cajennense infestation was also linked to mixed overgrowth pastures.

Tick Control Measures

  • The effectiveness of acaricides (regularly used tick control agents) did not demonstrate any significant impact, indicating the inefficacy of these measures in controlling tick populations on the farms.
  • Interestingly, the onslaught of human tick infestations was found to be directly associated with the presence of A. cajennense ticks on horses.
  • The study established a link between farms with mixed overgrowth pastures, high horse densities, and the farms’ practice of not mowing all their pastures at least once a year.
  • One conclusion drawn from this was that annual mowing could be a potential protective measure against the presence of mixed overgrowth pastures, and subsequently, against the presence of A. cajennense ticks on the horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Labruna MB, Kerber CE, Ferreira F, Faccini JL, De Waal DT, Gennari SM. (2001). Risk factors to tick infestations and their occurrence on horses in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Vet Parasitol, 97(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-4017(01)00387-9

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 0304-4017
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 97
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-14

Researcher Affiliations

Labruna, M B
  • Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87 Cidade Universitária, SP 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil. labruna@usp.br
Kerber, C E
    Ferreira, F
      Faccini, J L
        De Waal, D T
          Gennari, S M

            MeSH Terms

            • Animal Husbandry
            • Animals
            • Brazil / epidemiology
            • Cattle
            • Female
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horses
            • Male
            • Risk Factors
            • Tick Infestations / epidemiology
            • Tick Infestations / veterinary

            Citations

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