Prevalence and molecular detection of tick borne pathogens in goats and ticks from different parts of North Eastern regions of India

Despite the fact that the climate of North-East (NE) India is suitable for tick diversity, no systematic study has been done regarding the prevalence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens affecting small ruminants. A total of 1053 goats belonging to different age groups, breeds, and sex were examined from April 2019 to March 2020. Blood smear examination and PCR assays were conducted to detect tick-borne pathogens in the collected samples. The tick species recorded were Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, and Haemaphysalis bispinosa. The overall prevalence of tick-borne pathogens was 32.28. Mixed infection with Theileria sp. and Anaplasma sp. was most common followed by single infections of Anaplasma sp. and Theileria sp. A significantly higher rate of infection was observed in female animals. Species-specific PCR revealed different tickborne pathogens like Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale, and Theileria luwenshuni in goats. Isolated DNA samples of ticks were found to be positive for A. marginale, A. centrale, and T. luwenshuni and Coxiella burnetii in three genera of ticks with PCR assay. The results showed that vector-borne intracellular haemoprotozoa and Anaplasma are prevalent in the study area in apparently healthy small ruminants and the identified ticks have an endosymbiotic relationship with C. burnetii. © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Incidence of ecto-and endo-parasitic fauna in small wild ruminants from North Eastern region of India

The present study reports the prevalence of ecto- and endo- parasites in small wild ruminants from various NE region of India. A total of 565 wild small ruminants in captivity were examined between April 2018 to March 2019 without causing harm to them. Faecal samples were examined microscopically for detection of different Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites. Animals were also inspected visually for any ectoparasitic infestation and skin scrapping examination was also performed from suspected skin lesion for mite infestation. Overall seven species of endoparasites including three nematodes, two trematodes, one cestode and one protozoan parasite were recorded. The overall prevalence of GI parasites was 28.36%. Prevalence of Strongyle infection was found highest (11.5%) followed by infection with Moniezia spp (4.6%), Paramphistomum sp. (3.53%), Strongyloides spp (2.12%), Trichuris spp (1.77%) and Eurytrema sp. (1.59%) and Eimeria spp (3.25%), A significant difference was observed in wet season as compared to dry season. Similarly, a correlation was observed between sex and age. Female and young animals were more commonly infected than males and older animals. Among ectoparasites, we recorded three genera of hard ticks namely, Boophilus sp., Rhipicephalus sp. and Haemaphysalis sp. and one genius of mite belonging to the genus Psoroptes. The study clearly indicated that season, sex and age and other epidemiological factors play a significant role in parasitism in small wild ruminants. The possibility of cross transmission of parasites between livestock and wild life in NE region of India should deserve attention

HAEMATOLOGICAL IMPACT OF NATURALLY OCCURING TICK BORNE HAEMOPARASITIC INFECTIONS IN CATTLE OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Haemoparasites reduces productivity and may lead to high mortality among animals. The present study was carried out to evaluate the heamotological change in cattle of different districts in West Bengal, India affected with naturally occurring tick- borne haemoparasitic diseases (TBHD). A total of 310 cattle blood samples were screened for the presence of haemoparasites from July, 2015 to June, 2016. The blood samples were examined for haemoparasites by making thin blood smear and staining with Giemsa’s stain. The result showed that108 (34.84%) cattle were found positive with TBHD, out of which 22.9% were Theileria sp, 5.8% were Babesia sp., 11.93% Anaplasma sp., and 5.8% were having mixed infection, respectively. The positive samples were subjected to estimations of haematological parameters i. e. Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC) and Total leucocytes count (TLC) using standard protocol. The haematological analysis showed statistically a significant (p<0.01) decreased levels of Hb, PCV, TEC and TLC in infected groups of cattle compared to infection free group cattle. This is probably the first systematic report in West Bengal, India. The result showed the haemoparasites have a negative impact on haematological parameters. This study may be useful in disease epidemiological map preparation, parasitic control policy preparation of the study areas