Veterinary World

     Open access and peer reviewed journal  

ISSN (Online): 2231-0916

ISSN (Print): 0972-8988

Home l Editorial board l Instructions for authors l Reviewer guideline l Open access policy l Archives l FAQ

Open Access

Copyright: The authors. This article is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.

---

Research (Published online: 04-03-2014)

3. Prevalence and seasonal abundance of ticks on dogs and the role of Rhipicephalus sanguineus in transmitting Babesia species in Maidugiri, North-Eastern Nigeria - M. Konto, A. A. Biu, M. I. Ahmed and S. Charles
Veterinary World, 7(3): 119-124

 

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.119-124

 

 

 

 

---

Abstract

---

Aim: An investigation on ticks and haemoparasites of dogs that belonged to Maiduguri metropolis (Borno State) was conducted.
Materials and Methods: Survey of ticks and haemo-parasites on 400 stray dogs was conducted in Maiduguri from December 2009 to November 2011, using a stratified random sampling technique from different locations of the town. The town was divided into 10 districts out of which a total of 40 dogs were sampled at random from each district.
Results: Four genera of ticks were identified on the infested dogs 384 (96.0), all of which belonged to the family Ixodidae (hard ticks). The genus Boophilus was predominant with a prevalence of 88.0%, Rhipicephalus 10.8%, Hyalomma 0.9% and Amblyomma 0.3% at (p ˂ 0.05). Dogs within the age-group of 6-12 months were the most infested, while those within the age-group of 24 –120 months were the least infested. Sex appeared to have a less significant influence (p > 0.05) on the prevalence of ticks among the dog population as females were more infested than the males. The perineum and the ear were the most commonly infested areas, with 328 (85.4%) and 252 (65.4%) respectively, while the scrotal and abdominal regions were the least infested areas 12 (3.1%) each. The month of August showed the highest mean tick burden of 462.5±3.2 ranging from 450-475, while the month of February showed the least number of ticks with a mean of 244.5±3.8 ranging from 239-250. Dogs found to be infected with Babesia canis are all harboring ticks of the genus Rhipicephalus. Female dogs were more infected (66.7%) with Babesia canis than their male counterparts (33.3%) (p ˂ 0.05) and dogs within the age group of 1-6 months were more infected.
Conclusion: Prevalence of ticks on dogs in this study area is relatively high and the occurrence of Babesia species is vector dependent, with ticks of the genus Rhipicephalus sanguineous being the most common vector in transmission of the parasite. Seasons also play a vital role in the prevalence of ticks and their associated haemoparasites.
Keywords: prevalence, distribution, seasonal abundance, ticks, Babesia canis, dogs, Borno, Nigeria.

---

References

---

1. Norbert, M. (2013) Future challenges for parasitology: Vector control and 'One health' in Europe. The veterinary medicinal view on CVBDS such as tick borreliosis, rickettsiosis and canine leishmaniasis. Special Issue: One World Health - Veterinary Parasitology in the Twenty First Century24th WAAVP Conference. Vet. Parasitol. 195 (3-4): 256-271.

2. Jongejan, F. and Uilenberg, G. (2004) The global importance of ticks. Parasitol. 129 (suppl.): 3-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0031182004005967

3. Beuguet, F. and Marie, J.L. (2009) Emerging arthropod- borne diseases of companion animals in Europe. Vet. Parasitol. 163: 298-305. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.03.028

4. Dantas-Torres, F. (2010) Biology and ecology of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Parasites and Vectors. 3: 26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-3-26

5. Fourie, J.J., Stanneck, D., Luus, H.G., Beugnet, F., Wijnveld, M., Jongejan, F. (2013) Transmission of Ehrlichia canis by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks feeding on dogs and on artificial membranes. Vet. Parasitol. 197: 595-603. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.07.026

6. Bruno, C. (2011) Tick-borne infections in dogs: An emerging infectious threat. Vet. Parsitol. 197: 294-301.

7. Watanabe, M. (2012) Main pet Arthropod-borne diseases in Asia. 9th Merial symposium on parasitosis and arthropod- borne diseases. Tokyo 6th – 9th November 2012. Pp 18-21.

8. Kamani, J., Baneth, G., Mumcuoglu, K.Y., Waziri, N.E., Eyal, O., Guthmann, Y., Harrus, S. (2013) Molecular detection and characterization of tick-borne pathogens in dogs and ticks from Nigeria. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 7(3): e2108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002108

9. Jose de la Fuente, Ogo, N.I., Fernandez de Mira, I.G., Galindo, R.C., Okubanjo,O.O., Inuwa, H.M., Agbede, R.I.S., Torina, A., Alongi, A., Vicente, J., and Gortazar, C. (2012) Molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens in Nigerian ticks. Vet. Parasitol. 187(3-6): 572-577.

10. Robertson, I.D., Irwin, P.J., Lymbery, A.J. and Thompson, R.C.A. (2000) The role of companion animals in the emergence of parasitic disease. Int. J. Parasitol. 30: 1369–1377. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7519(00)00134-X

11. Patz, J.A., Gractzyk, T.K., Gella, N. and Vittor, A.Y.(2002) Effects of environmental changes on emerging parasitic diseases. Int. J. Parasitol. 30:1395–1405. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0020-7519(00)00141-7

12. Okubanjo, O.O., Adeshina, O.A., Jatau, I.D. and Natala, A.J. (2013) Prevalence of Babesia canis and Hepatozoon canis in Zaria. Nigeria. Sokoto J. Vet. Sci. 11(2): 15-20.

13. Borno State Diary (2005) Geographical history of Borno State; By: The Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. ALGON DIARY Preliminary pages.

14. Uade, S.U., Liana, A., Jorg, H. and Anton, B. (2008) Parasites of importance for human health in Nigerian dogs: high prevalence and limited knowledge of pet owners. Vet. Res. 49: 1746-6148.

15. Soulsby, E.J.L.(1982) Helminthes, Arthropods and Protozoa of Domesticated Animals, 7th ed, Bailliere Tindall, London. Pp 765-777.

16 Fleck, S.L. and Moody, A.H. (1988) Diagnostic techniques in medical parasitology. 3rd ed. John Wright Butterworth Scientific University Press, Cambridge, 135pp.

17. Hoogstraal, H. (1956) Ticks of the Sudan U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit (3) Cairo, Egypt, pp1110.

18. GraphPad Software Instat (2003) Guide to choosing and interpreting statistical tests. GraphPad software Inc. www.graphpad.com 5757 Oberlin Drive No.110 San Diego CA92121 USA (Instat Guide 153pp).

19. Iwuala, M.O.E. and Okpala, I. (1978a) Studies on the ectoparasitic fauna of Nigerian Livestock I: Types and distribution patterns. Bull. Anim. Hlth and Prod. Africa, 36 (4):339-350.

20. Iwuala, M.O.E. and Okpala, I. (1978b) Studies on the ectoparasitic fauna of Nigerian Livestock II: Seasonal infestation rates. Bull. Anim. Hlth and Prod. Africa, 36 (4):351-359.

21. James-Rugu, N.N. and Jidayi, S. (2004) A survey on the ectoparasites of some livestock from some areas of Borno and Yobe States. Nigerian. Vet. J. 25(2): 48-55

22. James-Rugu, N.N. and Idu, M.E. (2008) Ectoparasites of some domestic animals in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. J. Pest, Dis. Vect. Mgt, 8:471-477.

23. Mbaya, A.W., Aliyu, M.M., Nwosu, C.O., Ibrahim, U.I., and Shallanguwa, J.M. (2008) A Ten-Year Retrospective Study of the Prevalence of Parasitic Infections of Dogs at the University of Maiduguri Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Nigerian Vet J. Vol. 29(2): 31-36.

24. Karshima, S.N., Tizhe, E.V. and Bukar, D.P. (2010) A retrospective study of parasitic diseases of dogs and cats in Jalingo, North-Eastern Nigeria between 1998 and 2008. Sokoto Journal of Veterinary Sciences. Vol. 8(1): 46-49.

25. Shitta, K.B., Arong, G.A., James-Rugu, N.N., and Effanga, E.O. (2011) Seasonal variation in the abundance and distribution of Ixodid Ticks on Mongrel, Alsatian and Mixed breeds of dogs (canis familiaris) in Jos, Plateau State north- central Nigeria. World Journal of Science and Technology, 1(4):24-29.

26. Biu, A.A. and Konto, M. (2011) Survey of tick species infesting the one humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Maiduguri, Borno State. Centre for Research and Innovations. 3: 6-11.

27. Adamu, N.B., Adamu, J.Y. and Salisu, L. (2012) Prevalence of ecto-, endo- and haemoparasites in slaughtered dogs in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Revue de Medecine Veterinaire. 4 (163): 178-182.

28. Tanwia, N.N.A. (1989) Aspects on the biology and ecology of ticks of livestock in parts of Plateau State. Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Zoology University of Jos.

29. James-Rugu, N.N. (2001) A study of the haemoparasites of dogs, pigs and cattle in Plateau State, Nigerian J. Sci Technol, 7:20-27.

30. Morel, P. (1989) Ticks identification using keys. Manual for Tropical Vet. Parasitol. 9: 301-463pp.

31. James-Rugu, N.N. and Iwuala, M.O.E. (1992) Seasonal abundance in Ixodid ticks from some livestock in Plateau State. Technology and Development Journal. 2(1):61-67.

32. Biu, A.A. and Philip, S.J. (2004) Babesiosis amongst Mongrels in Borno State, Nigeria. Journal of life and environmental sciences. 6(1): 1-5.

33. Chauvin, A., Moreau, E., Bonnet, S., Plantard, O. and Malandrin, L. (2009) Babesia and its hosts: adaptation to long-lasting interactions as a way to achieve efficient transmission. Vet. Res. 40:3-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/vetres/2009020