Spatio-temporal distribution of identified tick species from small and large ruminants of Pakistan

Epidemiologic profile of hard ticks and molecular characterization of Rhipicephalus microplus infesting cattle in central part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Tick infestation is a major public and animal health concern causing significant financial losses, especially in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This study aimed at investigating the epidemiologic profile of ticks infesting cattle and molecular identification of R. microplus in the centrally ignored part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 600 cattle from 20 farms were examined for the tick infestation, among them 358 (59.7%) cattle were infested with ticks. A total of 2118 nymph, larvae and adult tick stages were collected and morphologically identified followed by molecular confirmation of Rhipicephalus microplus. Host-based demographic and ecological parameter analysis revealed significantly higher tick infestation in adult, female, exotic, freely grazing, and with irregular/no acaricides treated cattle. The univariate logistic analysis showed that host age, gender, breed, acaricides use, and feeding method were significantly (P < 0.05) associated, whereas multivariate analysis revealed only host breed and feeding method were potential risk factors (P < 0.05) for tick infestation. Microscopy-based examination identified four different species of ticks including R. microplus (44.5%), Hyalomma anatolicum (38.5%), and Hyalomma marginatum (10.5%) and Hyalomma excavatum (6.5%). Tick infestation pattern showed that 55.9% of cattle was found co-infested with R. microplus and H. anatolicum followed by R. microplus and H. anatolicum and H. marginatum (29.3%) then R. microplus, H. anatolicum, H. marginatum, and H. excavatum (11.2%). Sequencing of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2-) and 16S rRNA gene fragments also confirmed the molecular identification of Rhipicephalus microplus. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS-2 revealed all sequences clustered in single clade of the R. microplus while the 16S rRNA nucleotide sequences showed that R. microplus in this study was clustered together in clade A along with other isolates from Pakistan, China, and India. The high tick infestation suggests the need for designing strategic and integrated control measures for ticks in order to ensure good health of domestic animals in this region of Pakistan.

Lumpy skin disease is expanding its geographic range: A challenge for Asian livestock management and food security

In recent years, lumpy skin disease virus has extended its geographical range outside of endemic sub-Saharan countries to the Middle East and Asia indicating transboundary spread. Recently, lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreaks have been reported in Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos and for the first time and represent a cause of serious concern for their livestock and dairy industries. This report summarizes information on the recent outbreaks of LSD in southern Asia and emphasizes the threat it poses to neighbouring countries. Various strategies and actions needed to control outbreaks of this emerging disease in Asia are also suggested.