Extrinsic and intrinsic drivers of prevalence and abundance of hard-bodied ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

IF 2 Q3 INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Parasite Epidemiology and Control Pub Date : 2024-10-21 DOI:10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00387

Rachid Chaibi , Nora Mimoune , Farouk Benaceur , Latifa Stambouli , Lamine Hamida , Rabah Khedim , Radhwane Saidi , Mohammed Hocine Benaissa , Hicham Gouzi , Souad Neffar , Haroun Chenchouni

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Ticks are ectoparasites and can be vectors of a wide range of pathogens, posing significant health risks to livestock. In the Sahara Desert of Algeria, particularly among one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius), there is a need to better understand the factors influencing tick infestation patterns to improve livestock management and health outcomes.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, intensity, and abundance of hard-bodied ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) among dromedaries, examining both intrinsic factors (sex, age, coat color) and extrinsic variables (farming systems, vegetation types, climate zones, and elevation) that might influence tick infestation in this region.

Methods

Ticks were collected from 286 dromedaries across nine sites in the pre-Saharan regions of Algeria, with elevations ranging from 736 m to 980 m. The sampled camels, which ranged in age from 6 days to 21 years, were examined for tick infestations. The ticks were identified through macroscopic and microscopic methods, and their abundance was analyzed in relation to the camels' characteristics and environmental factors. Three breeding systems were recognized: extensive, intensive, and mixed.

Results

A total of 980 ticks were collected, with Hyalomma dromedarii Koch, 1844 being the most abundant species (553 specimens), followed by Hyalomma impeltatum Schulze & Schlottke, 1930 (393 specimens), and Hyalomma excavatum Koch, 1844 (34 specimens). H. dromedarii showed a preference for parasitizing brown-coated dromedaries and exhibited significantly higher infestation levels during spring (p < 0.001). No significant association was observed between tick infestation and the camels' age or sex (p > 0.05). However, the farming system had a significant impact on tick abundance, with extensive and mixed systems showing higher tick burdens compared to intensive systems (p < 0.01). Additionally, the vegetation type, climate zone, and foraging habitat elevation were found to significantly influence tick densities and prevalence.

Conclusion

This study provides essential insights into the tick infestation dynamics in dromedaries in drylands of Algeria. It highlights the influence of coat color, seasonality, and farming practices on tick burden, with brown-coated camels being more susceptible during the spring. The findings underline the importance of considering both intrinsic and extrinsic factors when developing effective tick control strategies, especially for camels raised in extensive or mixed farming systems in diverse arid rangelands. Future research should expand the scope to cover other arid regions in North Africa for a comprehensive understanding of tick-host dynamics.

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单峰驼硬体蜱（Acari：Ixodidae）流行率和丰度的外在和内在驱动因素

背景蜱虫是一种体外寄生虫，可传播多种病原体，对牲畜的健康构成严重威胁。在阿尔及利亚撒哈拉沙漠，尤其是在单峰骆驼（Camelus dromedarius）中，需要更好地了解影响蜱虫侵扰模式的因素，以改善牲畜管理和健康状况。目标本研究旨在调查单峰骆驼硬体蜱（Acari：Ixodidae）的流行率、强度和丰度，研究可能影响该地区蜱虫侵扰的内在因素（性别、年龄、皮毛颜色）和外在变量（养殖系统、植被类型、气候带和海拔高度）。方法在阿尔及利亚撒哈拉沙漠前地区海拔 736 米至 980 米的 9 个地点收集了 286 头单峰骆驼身上的蜱虫。通过宏观和微观方法对蜱虫进行了鉴定，并结合骆驼的特征和环境因素对蜱虫的数量进行了分析。共收集到 980 只蜱虫，其中数量最多的是 Hyalomma dromedarii Koch，1844 年（553 只标本），其次是 Hyalomma impeltatum Schulze & Schlottke，1930 年（393 只标本）和 Hyalomma excavatum Koch，1844 年（34 只标本）。H. dromedarii偏好寄生于褐毛单峰驼，春季的感染率明显更高（p < 0.001）。蜱虫感染与骆驼的年龄和性别之间没有明显的关联（p > 0.05）。然而，养殖系统对蜱虫的数量有显著影响，粗放型和混合型养殖系统的蜱虫负担高于集约型养殖系统（p < 0.01）。此外，植被类型、气候带和觅食栖息地海拔也对蜱的密度和流行率有显著影响。它强调了被毛颜色、季节性和养殖方式对蜱虫负担的影响，其中棕色被毛的骆驼在春季更容易感染蜱虫。研究结果强调了在制定有效的蜱虫控制策略时考虑内在和外在因素的重要性，尤其是对于在多种干旱牧场中以粗放或混合养殖系统饲养的骆驼。未来的研究应将范围扩大到北非其他干旱地区，以全面了解蜱宿主的动态变化。

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来源期刊

Parasite Epidemiology and Control Medicine-Infectious Diseases

CiteScore

5.70

自引率

3.10%

发文量

审稿时长

17 weeks

期刊介绍： Parasite Epidemiology and Control is an Open Access journal. There is an increasing amount of research in the parasitology area that analyses the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. This epidemiology of parasite infectious diseases is predominantly studied in human populations but also spans other major hosts of parasitic infections and as such this journal will have a broad remit. We will focus on the major areas of epidemiological study including disease etiology, disease surveillance, drug resistance and geographical spread and screening, biomonitoring, and comparisons of treatment effects in clinical trials for both human and other animals. We will also look at the epidemiology and control of vector insects. The journal will also cover the use of geographic information systems (Epi-GIS) for epidemiological surveillance which is a rapidly growing area of research in infectious diseases. Molecular epidemiological approaches are also particularly encouraged.