Distribution and Risk Factors Associated with Tick Infestation in Khartoum Locality, Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

Across sectional study was conducted between November and December in 2017 in Khartoum localities with the aim to; investigate the distribution of tick infestation, and as well as to asses possible risk factors (age, breed, sex, predilection site, coat color, herd size, housing type, raising system, removing of manure, control of tick, method of control and seasonality) that might be associated with infestation. In total, 1158 ixodid ticks (male: 710; female 448) were collected from 140 animals including 95 cattle, 31 sheep, and 14 goats. Tick collection was carried out in four localities namely Algeraif, Alremaila, Soba project and Saig project. About (72.9%) of total observed animals were found tick infested with a highest prevalence rate in sheep (77.4%) followed by cattle (73.7%) while the lowest prevalence rate was observed in goat (57.1%). Based on the locality, Saig showed the highest prevalence of tick infestation (84.1%) followed by Algeraif (78.4%), Alremaila (75%), and the lowest locality was Soba project (57.4%). The most prevalent tick's species affecting animals Rhipicephalus eversti (n= 560, 48.4%) followed by Hyalomma anatolicum (n=392, 33.8%) then Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n=206, 17.8%). In cattle and goats, Rhipicephalus eversti was the predominant species, while Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the predominant species in sheep. Generally, the preferred site of ticks' attachment to infested cattle and goat was tail (63% and 51%, respectively), while ear was the preferred site in sheep (76.7%). The analysis revealed that there was significant association (P <0.05) between the tick infestation and; animal age (P = 0.007), animal sex (P = 0.013), raising type (P =0.000), control of tick (P = 0.037), remove of manure (P = 0.005) and seasonality (P = 0.000). In the other hand, no significant (P ˃0.05) relation between the tick infestation and; localities (P = 0.29), animal breed (P = 0.136), coat color (P =0.602), herd size (P = 0.061), housing type (P =0.427) and the method of control (P = 0.163). Research result indicated that high tick prevalence in the Khartoum localities therefore, more attention is needed to control and minimize its distribution.