PREVALENCE OF TICKS IN BUFFALOES IN THE UPPER SINDH PAKISTAN

ABSTRACT Tick infestation is still a major economic dilemma for the dairy owners in Pakistan. The current study reports the prevalence and bionomics of tick in the areas of upper Sindh, Pakistan. The study was carried out to identify and to quantify variation in the prevalence of bovine tick infestation with respect to host (age and species) and area studied. Random sampling was used and 1600 samples of Kundi buffaloes from the different areas were selected from extensive management systems. Prevalence of bovine tick infestation did not differ signifi cantly (OR = 0.876; p>0.05) in Kundi (179/800; 24.75%) and Nili-Ravi buffaloes (172/800; 22.3%). Hyalomma was the major tick species (10.2%; 163/1600), followed by Rhipicephalus (5.6%; 99/1600). The prevalence of ticks in calves (< 1 year) was signifi cantly (p < 0.05) higher compare to the adult animals (1-2 years and > 2 year animals). However, the prevalence of tick infestation was not associated (p > 0.05) with the location of the district. Moreover, the results of the prevalence of the ticks in the studied area provide the better understanding for evolving the strategic and tactile control of ticks in local breeds of dairy animals in the Sindh province

Investigating The Molecular Aspects of Theileria Annulata In Naturally Infected Animals, Alongside A Mention of Tick Distribution In Hyderabad And Karachi

Introduction: The Theileria annulata is a haemo protozoan parasite that causes economically significant fatal tick-borne diseases in domesticated and wild animals. Methodology: The research focused on identifying Theileria annulata infection in both cattle and buffalo through molecular methods. To achieve this, DNA extraction was conducted using whole blood samples, followed by the design of specific primers for Theileria annulata and subsequent PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) analysis. Results: Data were also collected on tick infestation and host-parasite relationship. A total of 2400 Cattle and Buffaloes were evaluated during the study. District-wise detection indicated that the highest rate of infected samples was recorded from Peri-Urban (Cattle=88.33%, Buffalo= 61.94%) and Urban areas (Cattle=65.38%, Buffalo=54.10%) of district Hyderabad, while the lowest rate was recorded from Peri-urban (Cattle=24%, Buffalo=17.9%) and Urban (20.38%, Buffalo=16.66%) areas of district Karachi, Month wise detection of Theileria annulata indicated the highest rate in July (Cattle= 74.0%, Buffalo=47.5%) and the lowest rate in December (Cattle=11.7%, Buffalo=18.1%). The prevalence of parasitic infection showed a notable increase (P<0.05) in the areas of the Suburban region than in Cityscape areas. Conclusion: In the molecular identification of Theileria annulata, the infection rate exhibited a notable difference between District Hyderabad and District Karachi, with a higher prevalence in the former and a lower incidence in the latter. Additionally, cattle displayed greater susceptibility to tick infestation in comparison to buffalo

Molecular Prevalence of Anaplasma Marginale in Cattle and Identification of Rhipicephalus, Boophilus, Hyalomma, And Amblyomma Ticks from District Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad

Introduction: Anaplasma marginal is a rickettsial organism and is the causative agent in cattle anaplasmosis. This Parasite attacks the red blood cells after infection of sensitive bovine and is transmitted by ticks. Methodology: The study was aimed to detect Anaplasma marginale through PCR the prevalence of four genera (Rhipicephalus, Boophilus, Hyalomma, and Amblyomma) of ticks, twelve hundred animals were observed, 560 samples of blood randomly taken from cattle that possesses ticks on their body and these samples were shifted to the Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. The infected cattle exhibited clinical signs such as Temperature, decrease in appetite, nausea, and chills. The study was conducted over a period of one year from November 2020 to November 2021. Results: The results of the study showed a high rate of Anaplasma infection (88.33%) and a prevalence of ticks at Mirpurkhas. Month-wise data reveals that the maximum infection was shown in the month of June and the minimum in the month of November at District Mirpurkhas, while at Hyderabad, the month-wise data indicates the Maximum infection rate in the month of May, and the minimum infection was found in the month of November. Conclusion: Ticks collected from two districts of Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad proceeded for identification of Tick’s genus, and the mostly ticks which were infested on animals concerned with the Hyalomma genus (26.11%) Amblyomma genus (25.37%), Boophilus genus (24.62%), and Rhipicephalus genus (23.88%)

Study of cellulolytic soil fungi and two nova species and new medium

This study is aimed at identifying and determining the percentage of occurrence frequency of cellulose decomposing soil fungi. The soil samples were inoculated into culture plates prepared in Sabouraud medium under sterilized conditions and incubated at 30 °C for 4 to 7 d. The identified fungal species were incubated in self-designed cellulose medium for testing their cellulolytic ability. Forty-two species, including 2 nova species, representing sixteen genera showed growth and sporulation in the cellulose medium. Most of the isolated species were from genus Aspergillus and Penicillium. Aspergillus niger and Mucor hiemalis showed highest occurrence frequency (45% and 36% respectively), as these species were collected from about 80% of soil samples. Being agar free and cheaper, the new fungal medium designed showed results equivalent to Sabouraud medium

Importance of ticks and their chemical and immunological control in livestock

The medical and economic importance of ticks has long been recognized due to their ability to transmit diseases to humans and animals. Ticks cause great economic losses to livestock, and adversely affect livestock hosts in several ways. Loss of blood is a direct effect of ticks acting as potential vector for haemo-protozoa and helminth parasites. Blood sucking by large numbers of ticks causes reduction in live weight and anemia among domestic animals, while their bites also reduce the quality of hides. However, major losses caused by ticks are due to their ability to transmit protozoan, rickettsial and viral diseases of livestock, which are of great economic importance world-wide. There are quite a few methods for controlling ticks, but every method has certain shortcomings. The present review is focused on ticks importance and their control

Adjuvant effects of saponins on animal immune responses

Vaccines require optimal adjuvants including immunopotentiator and delivery systems to offer long term protection from infectious diseases in animals and man. Initially it was believed that adjuvants are responsible for promoting strong and sustainable antibody responses. Now it has been shown that adjuvants influence the isotype and avidity of antibody and also affect the properties of cell-mediated immunity. Mostly oil emulsions, lipopolysaccharides, polymers, saponins, liposomes, cytokines, ISCOMs (immunostimulating complexes), Freund’s complete adjuvant, Freund’s incomplete adjuvant, alums, bacterial toxins etc., are common adjuvants under investigation. Saponin based adjuvants have the ability to stimulate the cell mediated immune system as well as to enhance antibody production and have the advantage that only a low dose is needed for adjuvant activity. In the present study the importance of adjuvants, their role and the effect of saponin in immune system is reviewed