Epizootiology and associated risk factors of tick fauna infecting domestic livestock population in district Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The current study was aimed to correlate the association of different risk factors with the hard tick (Acari: Ixodidae) infestation rate in livestock (cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat) population of district Faisalabad. Ticks were collected through the standard collection protocols andidentified under a stereomicroscope. Overall, 54%, 50%, 50%, and 49% tick infestation rateswere reported from cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goat, respectivelywith a higher prevalence of each in tehsil Tandlianwala (72%,65%,70%, and 57%, respectively). Among intrinsic factors (age and sex) higher prevalence was reported in young (7-12 months) and female animals. Significant association (P<0.05)of tick infestation was observed with the season being higher in summer. Statistically significant association (P<0.05)of tick infestation was observed with the extrinsic factors viz; feeding system (higher rate in grazing animals), housing system (higher rate in free-housed animals), type of farming (higher rate in free-ranged animals), farm structure (higher rate in animals kept on the uncemented floor) and hygienic measures (higher rate in animals with poor hygiene). The most prevalent tick species were H. anatolicum, (85%), H. marginatum (1.5%), H. (1.02%), and R. microplus (12%).The results of our study added information to the inventory of ixodids. The findings will help devise services for tick control in the selected areas and other regions having similar husbandry systems.