Review of tick infestation on cattle in cattle Abattoir wurukum markurdi

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Tick infestation is a significant concern in cattle production, causing economic losses and compromising
animal welfare. Cattle is an important livestock in the Nigerian Agricultural sector it represents an
important asset because they contribute fifty percent (50%) of the total meat production in Nigeria as
well as other products such as milk, skin, manure, a good source of income and provision of draught
power for farming (Olubukola 2014, Ardo et al., 2015). In 2018, during the National Conference on
Transformation of Livestock held in Abuja Nigeria, the Minister of Agriculture reported that Nigerians
consume 90, 000 cattle daily and highlighted how various states consumed cattle in varying quantities.
Statistical report in Benue state showed that the state spends 2.1bn (billion Naira) annually on beef
consumption and this highlights its importance. (Combes C. 2001, Omudu et al., 2017). Parasitism: the
ecology .Ectoparasites are organisms that live all or part of their lives on the surface of larger organisms
(obligate or facultative) which they depend on for food, shelter and other basic needs to survive.
Ectoparasites are organisms that live on the animals upon which they depend for food, shelter and other
basic needs to survive (Rechav and Nutall, 2000). It has been observed that ectoparasites do not only
have direct effects on their host, they may also transmit pathogens, thereby acting as vectors of diseases
(Parola et al., 2001). Ectoparasites generally affect the health of animals and the quality of hides and
skin. The leather industries have suffered great loses over the years because of tick infestation on animal
skin. Certain factors have been observed to affect the distribution of ectoparasites on their hosts.
Among these factors are season and mode of livestock rearing. The behavior of animals such as rolling
on grasses contributes a great deal in the number of ectoparasites haboured by their hosts(James-Rugu
and Iwuala 1998). Ticks suck blood of their hosts resulting into severe anemia, loss of production,
weakness and immuno suppression (Gwakisa et al., 2001) as well as damages hides and skin leading to
significant financial losses to livestock farmers(Biswas, 2003).Ticks rank second to mosquitoes as vectors
of transmissible diseases in man and animals (Opara and Ezeh, 2011). Bowman et al. (2004) estimated
more than 80% of world cattle population is infested by ticks, which are known to transmit viral,
bacterial and protozoan pathogens causing Tick Borne Diseases (TBD) such a sh emorrhagic fever,
cowdriosis,ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, theileriosis and babesiosis (Rajput et al., 2006). The causes of tick
introduction and spread include the uncontrolled movements of domestic or wild animals, small but
sustained climate trends, and changes in the use of land resources that allow for the abundance of tick
hosts. After ticks are introduced to a region, they may persist only if the climate is compatible with the
requirements of the ticks and if sufficient hosts are available (Madder et al., 2012). However, argasid
ticks also play asignificant role as vectors of diseases,especially in poultry (Jongejan, and Uilengberg,
2004). Due to heavy infestation of ticks, cattle takes more feed in order to cater for the presence of
parasites that causes malnutrition, then it affects the growth of young ones, while adults may remain
internally weak, stunted, thin and production of milk in dairy cows became greatly reduced ( Ghulam et
al., 2008). Vector and vector borne diseases are major constraints to the development of viable livestock
industries wherever they occur; tick and tick borne diseases are widely distributed throughout the world
particularly in tropical and sub-tropical countries, which cause a tremendous economic importance in
livestock production (Kettle, 1995). In most parts of Africa, ticks and tick borne diseases, together with
tsetse and trypanosomes are economically important diseases (Solomon et al., 2001). Thus this study
was carried out to determine the prevalence of tick species in cattle herds and the attendant problems
associated with their presence. increased Studies have identified ticks, mites, lice and fleas as
ectoparasites commonly associated with cattle and the mechanisms by which these parasites seek,
identify, establish and maintain contact with their hosts some are sophisticated and complex. (Omudu et
al.,2017 ,Combes C. (2001). These parasites impinge on cattle and have varying effects (direct and
indirect) on them which include reduction in the animal’s productivity potential, weight loss, retarded
growth, damage to hide and skin, anemia, abortion, low milk production and respiratory diseases. These
parasites can also act as vectors and as disease transmitting agents to their hosts as well as causing
death of livestock (Cornall, K. & Wall. 2015, Leul B & Etsay K 2020, Tongjura et al., 2012).
Epidemiological D.In developing countries like Nigeria, ectoparasites are strongly associated with grazing
management, since pastures are usually not provided. Most pastures for animal rearing are public and
are used and shared by animal owners without any regulations or guidelines. Studies have indicated that
animals pick up to 90% of ectoparasites during grazing periods.Several studies within and outside
Nigeria have reported the prevalence of various ectoparasites in cattle. These parasites include;
Ambylomma variegatum, Boophilus annulatus, Hyalomma Spp., Rhiphicephalus sanguineus,
Ctenocephalide, Xenopsyll acheopis. These parasites have been found to be responsible for damage to
hides of livestock by denuding the hair of the hides forming scabs on the hide, predisposing the animal
to bacterial and fungal infestation and other parasitism including screw worm attack, spread of cattle
tick fever and Texas fever from one cattle to another. ( TONGJURA Tongjura et al., 2012, STACHURSKI, F.
& LANCELOT, R. 2006. CALLISTA, U. 2016).Current status of research on ectoparasites of cattle in Nigeria
indicates that there are few research studies that have been reported in Makurdi, which is one of the
major cities in North Central Nigeria. The importance of cattle wealth in the national economy of Nigeria
is because it serves as a means of diversifying the economy which is the goal of the country’s leadership
to reduce the burden of over reliance on petroleum. Approaches integrating the use of different
technologies are required to manage cattle ectoparasites effectively while addressing societal
expectations regarding food safety and environmental health (PÉREZ et al., 2020). This study provides
current status of ectoparasite infestation of cattle in wurukum Makurd

Aim

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and the the economic impact of tick infestation on cattle in
Wurukum Abatoir Makurdi Benue State.

Objectives

To assess the prevalence and distribution of ticks on cattle slaughtered at the wurukum abatoir makurdi

To identify the risk factors associated with stick infestations on cattle in abatoir

To evaluate the economic impact of tick infestationon cattle productivity and meat quality

CHAPTER THREE
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Morphology

Ticks have 2 body parts, the capitulum or gnathosoma is the head part on which the mouthparts are
located. The idiosoma is the main body part and contains the mojor organs of the tick, the eyes if they
are present are also located on the idiosoma. Ticks are members of the order metastigmata, meaning
they have complex breathing apparatus, these are known as spiracles and are located on either side of
the idiosoma and allow gas exchange to take place whilst the ticks mouthparts are used solely for
feeding.

Hard ticks

Hard ticks are so called due to the presence of a hard, chitinous covering on the dorsal surface called the
scutum. In males this scutum covers the entire body surface, however in females only a small area
behind the head is covered. The lack of hard covering in females allows much greater engorgement
during feeding, up to three times their unfed size. Hard ticks have prominent biting mouthparts on the
capitulum used for attachment to the host and for feeding. The body of hard ticks can be either ornate,
with coloured enamal patches on the scutum, or inornate. Around the posterior body margin of these
ticks festoons ('pie crust edging') can be seen.

Soft ticks

Soft ticks lack a dorsal scutum as found in hard ticks and instead have a leathery cuticle. The cuticle
coveres the entire dorsal surface of the tick and so the mouthparts cannot been seen from above.
Although soft ticks do expand during feeding they cannot do so to as great an extent as hard ticks, as a
result these ticks tend to feed in smaller portions but more frequently.

Mouthparts

Moputhparts of Ixodes Holocyclus - Kevin Broady, Wikimedia Commons

are 3 major constituents of the mouthparts of ticks; palps, chelicerae and the hypostome. The palps are
sensory organs on protuding on either side of the capitulum, they are used to locate a suitable site for
feeding. Once a suitable feeding site has been located the sharp chelicerae are used to create a
puncture wound in the skin of the host. The hypostome is then pushed through the wound into the
host, where it attaches using backwards facing teeth. A dorsal groove on the hypostome allows the
downward flow of tick saliva into the host as well as the upward flow of host blood during tick feeding.

Feeding
 Ixodes scapularis - Thomas HeddenDuring feeding the tick stands upright to penetrate the skin of the
host with well adapted mouthparts. Once inserted the mouthparts are cemented in place by backwards
facing teeth and in hard ticks the excretion of cement. Ticks utilise the same groove in the hypostome to
secret saliva into the host and draw blood. Tick saliva contains seeveral important substances to aid the
ticks feeding;

Scientific classification

Domain: Eukayota

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum:. Arthropoda

Subphylum: Chelicerata

Class:. Arachnida

Superorder: Parasitiformes

Order: Ixodida

Superfamily: Ixodoidea