Prevalence of Tick-Borne Hemoparasites and Associated Ectoparasite Vectors in Dairy Cattle in Githunguri Sub-County, Kenya
Mark S. Ngere
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Nairobi, Kenya.
Maingi Ndichu *
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Nairobi, Kenya.
Chege J. N
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Nairobi, Kenya.
Beatrice Mutende
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053-00625, Kangemi, Nairobi, Kenya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Ticks-borne diseases (TBDs) cause significant production loses and welfare concern in livestock. These diseases are transmitted by ticks and sometimes biting flies. The presence of these vectors in animal environment is responsible for the occurrence of TBDs in a given area. This study examined the occurrence of tick-borne hemoparasites (TBPs) affecting dairy cattle in Githunguri sub-county, Kenya.
Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between August and November 2024. Blood samples were obtained from 402 dairy cattle randomly selected from 113 farms.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi.
Methodology: dairy cattle were selected through random sampling. Each animal underwent physical examination, after which blood and thin smears were stained with Giemsa, and screened for TBPs. Attached ticks were removed, preserved in ethanol, and identified using established morphological keys. Biting flies were trapped on sixty-three farms using sweep nets and baited traps, then sorted and classified by morphological features.
Results: Of the 402 cattle sampled, 129 (32.1%) carried at least one TBP. Anaplasma spp. were found in all positive samples. A. marginale occurred as a single infection in 90 (22.4%) animals, while A. centrale alone was seen in 11 (2.7%). Mixed A. marginale and A. centrale infections were found in 25 (6.2%), and A. marginale with Babesia spp. in 3 (0.7%). Tick attachment was noted on 11 animals (2.7%). From the 47 ticks collected, 45 (95.7%) were Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus. A total of 441 biting flies were identified, dominated by Stomoxys calcitrans (63.3%), S. niger (23.8%), and S. sitiens (8.2%). Musca domestica accounted for 4.8%.
Conclusion: Anaplasma infections are widespread in Githunguri cattle, and the presence of both tick and fly vectors emphasizes the need for broad, vector control.
Keywords: Cattle, Tick-borne Hemoparasites (tbps), Rhipicephalus spp, Haemaphysalis spp, stomoxys spp., anaplasma and babesia