<i>Taenia solium</i> cysticercosis and taeniosis (TSCT) are two forms of a zoonotic disease caused by <i>T. solium</i> tapeworm. Towards promotion of a One Health approach to the control of TSCT, we assessed TSCT reporting in the medical and veterinay sectors in Tanzania. We conducted a cross-sectional study between January and April 2020 in Babati and Mbulu districts (northern Tanzania), Kongwa district (central Tanzania), Mbinga and Nyasa districts (southern Tanzania), and the Zonal Veterinary Centres in Iringa (southern Tanzania) and Arusha (northern Tanzania) regions. A questionnaire was administered to 154 officers in charge (OsIC) of primary healthcare facilities (PHFs) and 110 meat inspectors (MIs) to collect quantitative data. Key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted to 16 medical and 17 veterinary officers from level one healthcare facilities and district livestock offices, respectively, to their respective ministries. OsIC admitted absence of specific reporting (100%, <i>n</i> = 154) of <i>T. solium</i> taeniosis and neurocysticercosis (NCC) in the medical diseases reporting system (MDRS) despite the presence of optimum facilitation in terms of report preparation and submission (92.2%, <i>n</i> = 154) with 83.8% (<i>n</i> = 154) timely report submission rate. The veterinary diseases reporting system (VDRS) accommodated porcine cysticercosis (PCC) reporting. Nevertheless, approximately 77.3% (<i>n</i> = 110) of the MIs admitted inadequate facilitation in VDRS that hindered efficient reporting of PCC among other diseases. In addition, all MIs admitted that disease reports submitted were incomplete, submitted late (73.3%, <i>n</i> = 110), or not submitted at all (88.8%, <i>n</i> = 110). Similarly, KIIs results revealed suboptimal facilitation and reporting efficiency in VDRS than it was with the MDRS. It is concluded that the MDRS did not provide for specific reporting of taeniosis and NCC. Inadequate facilitation of the general VDRS hindered efficient PCC reporting despite its provision for PCC reporting. A One Health approach in strengthening the medical and veterinary diseases reporting systems for efficient TSCT reporting is recommended.

Fredy Mlowe

James Mlangwa

Ernatus Mkupasi

Andrea S. Winkler

Antony D. Nyerere

Ayubu Churi

Helena Ngowi

Esron Karimuribo

<i>Taenia solium</i> Cysticercosis and Taeniosis Reporting in the Current Medical and Veterinary Diseases Reporting Systems in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study was intended to evaluate the healing of skin injury by using decellularized urinary bladder submucosa scaffolds and tendon-derived hydrogel. Thirty-six adult local breeds of both sex rabbits, with an average weight of 2.0–2.5 kg, were divided randomly into three groups (12 animals for each group). All groups were subjected to an induced injury (2 cm) in diameter at the right side of the abdominal skin, the rabbits of the 1st group (A) were sutured without the application of any substance as a control group, the rabbits of the 2nd group (B) were sutured and treated with the application of decellularized urinary bladder submucosa scaffolds, and in the 3rd group (C), they were sutured and treated with the application of tendon-derived hydrogel. Postoperative care following had been done for all groups throughout the study period. Specimens from the injured skin were taken for the histopathological study on the postinjury day, 8th, 14th, 21st, and 24th. The study showed a clear effect of materials used in the treatment of wounds through a clear progression in the healing stages with a noticed superiority of the submucosa scaffold group.

Majid A. Alkhilani

Omar Tariq Hammoodi

Hasanain Abduljabbar Emran

Wissam Abdullah Alhayani

Impact of Using Processed Urinary Bladder Submucosa and Hydrogel Fabricated from Tendon on Skin Healing Process in Rabbits

Seasonal variations significantly impact lambs’ birth weight and post-natal growth of lambs, yet the underlying physiological mechanisms remain insufficiently explored. Therefore, this study examined the effects of mating season on lamb birth weight, placental characteristics, maternal concentrations of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in plasma, and placental mRNA expression levels of <i>IGFs</i> in Akkaraman ewes reared under extensive conditions. Ewes were mated in the breeding season (September; <i>n</i> = 35) and out-of-breeding season (April; <i>n</i> = 27). Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of all ewes using a vacutainer in sterile heparin tubes every month from mating to parturition. Post-lambing, both dam and lamb weights were recorded, and placental characteristics were documented within 12 hours of parturition in both seasons. The number and weight of cotyledons were higher (<span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="19.289pt" style="vertical-align:-0.6370001pt" id="M1" height="9.2729pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 19.289 9.2729"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g113-81" d="M600 480C600 590 528 650 384 650H143L137 622C222 614 225 607 210 531L130 127C113 41 106 36 23 28L17 0H294L300 28C204 36 195 42 212 127L243 284L314 263C327 263 339 263 352 264C465 271 600 337 600 480ZM508 481C508 351 402 304 329 304C289 304 265 311 250 317L295 559C302 594 310 606 323 611C335 616 350 619 367 619C455 619 508 573 508 481Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.658,0)"><path id="g117-91" d="M512 -3V55L134 254V256L512 456V514L75 281V230L512 -3Z"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"></span><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="21.918pt" style="vertical-align:-0.6370001pt" height="9.2729pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.8711838 -8.6359 21.918 9.2729"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.921,0)"><path id="g113-49" d="M241 635C89 635 35 457 35 312C35 153 89 -12 240 -12C390 -12 443 166 443 312C443 466 390 635 241 635ZM238 602C329 602 354 454 354 312C354 172 330 22 240 22C152 22 124 173 124 313S148 602 238 602Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.161,0)"><path id="g113-47" d="M113 -12C146 -12 170 11 170 46C170 78 146 103 114 103S58 78 58 46C58 11 82 -12 113 -12Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.125,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.365,0)"><path id="g113-54" d="M153 550H386L412 615L406 623H120L82 318C104 327 142 338 184 338C294 338 347 275 347 187C347 112 305 39 221 39C160 39 119 71 97 89C88 97 80 96 71 90C59 80 50 67 49 57C48 45 52 36 66 23C80 9 123 -12 169 -12C221 -11 288 15 342 59C403 109 431 165 431 225C431 308 366 395 238 395C212 395 165 379 127 364L153 550Z"/></g></svg>)</span></span> in ewes mated during the breeding season than those mated during the out-of-breeding season. Also, ewes mated during the breeding season demonstrated thicker large cotyledons (<span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="19.289pt" style="vertical-align:-0.6370001pt" id="M2" height="9.2729pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 19.289 9.2729"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.658,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-91"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"></span><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="21.918pt" style="vertical-align:-0.6370001pt" height="9.2729pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.8711838 -8.6359 21.918 9.2729"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.921,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.161,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.125,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.365,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-54"/></g></svg>).</span></span> Although placental and cotyledonal efficiencies were similar in both mating seasons, volumetric cotyledon efficiency was higher (<span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="19.289pt" style="vertical-align:-0.6370001pt" id="M3" height="9.2729pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 19.289 9.2729"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.658,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-91"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"></span><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="21.918pt" style="vertical-align:-0.6370001pt" height="9.2729pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.8711838 -8.6359 21.918 9.2729"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.921,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.161,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.125,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.365,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-54"/></g></svg>)</span></span> in ewes mated during the out-of-breeding season than in those bred during the breeding season. Additionally, ewes mated in the breeding season exhibited higher plasma concentration of IGF-I at three months of gestation than ewes mated in the out-of-breeding season (123.8 ± 9.8 vs. 99.3 ± 11.4 ng/ml, respectively; <span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="19.289pt" style="vertical-align:-0.6370001pt" id="M4" height="9.2729pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 19.289 9.2729"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.658,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-91"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"></span><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="21.918pt" style="vertical-align:-0.6370001pt" height="9.2729pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.8711838 -8.6359 21.918 9.2729"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.921,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.161,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.125,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.365,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-54"/></g></svg>).</span></span> Although the mating season did not affect the <i>IGF</i>-I gene’s placental mRNA expression levels, the <i>IGF</i>-II gene’s expression level was notably higher (<span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="19.289pt" style="vertical-align:-0.6370001pt" id="M5" height="9.2729pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.6359 19.289 9.2729"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.658,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-91"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"></span><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="21.918pt" style="vertical-align:-0.6370001pt" height="9.2729pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.8711838 -8.6359 21.918 9.2729"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.921,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,29.161,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,32.125,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.365,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-54"/></g></svg>;</span></span> fold change: 2.84) in ewes mated during the breeding season. The results suggest that mating season influences placental characteristics, maternal plasma IGF-I concentrations, and <i>IGF-II</i> gene expression levels of cotyledons due to alterations in cotyledon numbers and size on the surface of the placenta.

Uğur Şen

Emre Şirin

Hasan Önder

Cem Tırınk

Aycan Mutlu Yağanoğlu

Saule Bostanova

Rashit Uskenov

Thobela Louis Tyasi

Mating Season Influences Placental Characteristics, Plasma <i>IGF</i> Concentration, and mRNA Expression without Affecting Lamb Birth Weight in Akkaraman Ewes

The elite bull plays an extremely important role in the genetic progression of the dairy cow population. The previous results indicated the potential positive relationship of large scrotal circumference (SC) with improved semen volume, concentration, and motility. In order to improve bull’s semen quantity and quality by selection, it is necessary to estimate the genetic parameters of semen traits and their correlations with other conformation traits such as SC that could be used for an indirect selection. In this study, the genetic parameters of seven semen traits (<i>n</i> = 66,260) and nine conformation traits (<i>n</i> = 3,642) of Holstein bulls (<i>n</i> = 453) were estimated by using the bivariate repeatability animal model with the average information-restricted maximum likelihood (AI-REML) approach. The results showed that the estimated heritabilities of semen traits ranged from 0.06 (total number of motile sperm, TNMS) to 0.37 (percentage of abnormal sperm, PAS) and conformation traits ranged from 0.23 (pin width, PW) to 0.69 (hip height, HH). The highest genetic correlations were found between semen volume per ejaculation (SVPE), semen concentration per ejaculation (SCPE), total number of sperm (TNS), and TNMS traits that were 0.97, 0.98, 1.00, and 0.99, respectively. Phenotypic correlations between SC and SVPE, SCPE, TNS, and TNMS were 0.35, 0.35, 0.48, and 0.42, respectively. In summary, the moderate or high heritability of semen traits indicates that genetic improvement of semen quality by selection is feasible, where SC could be a useful trait for indirect selection or as correlated information to improve semen quantity and production in the practical bull breeding programs.

Xiao Wang

Jian Yang

Jie Xue

Miao Zhang

Fan Zhang

Kun Wang

Yanqin Li

Yuanpei Zhang

Xiaoping Wu

Feng Wang

Xiuxin Zhao

Junqing Ni

Yabin Ma

Rongling Li

Lingling Wang

Guosheng Su

Yundong Gao

Jianbin Li

Genetic Parameters of Semen Traits and Their Correlations with Conformation Traits in Chinese Holstein Bulls

Anxiety disorders in dogs are ever-growing and represent an important concern in the veterinary behavior field. These disorders are often disregarded in veterinary clinical practice, negatively impacting the animal’s and owner’s quality of life. Moreover, these anxiety disorders can potentially result in the abandonment or euthanasia of dogs. Growing evidence shows that the gut microbiota is a central player in the gut-brain axis. A variety of microorganisms inhabit the intestines of dogs, which are essential in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. These microbes can impact mental health through several mechanisms, including metabolic, neural, endocrine, and immune-mediated pathways. The disruption of a balanced composition of resident commensal communities, or dysbiosis, is implicated in several pathological conditions, including mental disorders such as anxiety. Studies carried out in rodent models and humans demonstrate that the intestinal microbiota can influence mental health through these mechanisms, including anxiety disorders. Furthermore, novel therapeutic strategies using prebiotics and probiotics have been shown to ameliorate anxiety-related symptoms. However, regarding the canine veterinary behavior field, there is still a lack of insightful research on this topic. In this review, we explore the few but relevant studies performed on canine anxiety disorders. We agree that innovative bacterial therapeutical approaches for canine anxiety disorders will become a promising field of investigation and certainly pave the way for new approaches to these behavioral conditions.

Carina Sacoor

John D. Marugg

Nuno R. Lima

Nuno Empadinhas

Liliana Montezinho

Gut-Brain Axis Impact on Canine Anxiety Disorders: New Challenges for Behavioral Veterinary Medicine

Global egg production is mainly based on cage systems, which have been associated with negative effects on the welfare of birds. Stress factors in restrictive production systems can lead to changes in gene transcription and protein synthesis, ultimately impacting the quality of poultry products. The liver serves various metabolic functions, such as glycogen storage, and plays a crucial role in animals’ adaptation to environmental changes. Consequently, both internal and external conditions can influence liver functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the gene expression of <i>AGP</i>, <i>CRP</i>, <i>NOX4</i>, <i>SOD1</i>, <i>CAT</i>, <i>GPX1</i>, <i>SREBF1</i>, and <i>FXR</i> in the liver of laying hens under two different production systems. Liver tissues from Hy-Line Brown hens housed in conventional cage and cage-free egg production systems at 60 and 80 weeks of production were used. mRNA transcript levels were determined by qPCR using the relative quantification method and <i>ACTB</i> as the reference gene. <i>AGP</i>, <i>SOD1</i>, and <i>SREBF1</i> gene expressions were significantly higher in the conventional cage group at the 60 weeks of production. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of transcripts related to oxidative stress and lipid metabolism were higher in the group of laying hens housed in conventional cages compared to those in cage-free systems. These results suggest differential gene expression of genes related to oxidative stress in liver tissues from hens housed in conventional cages compared to cage-free systems. The conditions of the egg production system can impact the gene expression of oxidative stress and lipid synthesis genes, potentially leading to changes in the metabolism and performance of hens, including egg quality.

María Paula Herrera-Sánchez

Roy Rodríguez-Hernández

Iang Schroniltgen Rondón-Barragán

Stress-Related Gene Expression in Liver Tissues from Laying Hens Housed in Conventional Cage and Cage-Free Systems in the Tropics

Biting flies and associated pathogens are the major health constraints on camel production and productivity and are implicated in causing significant economic losses in the pastoralist community in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of biting flies and their associated pathogens in relation to different risk factors in camels in the Amibara district, from October 2019 to April 2020. A total of 480 camels were examined for biting flies and associated pathogens. The study revealed that overall, 87% (418/480) and 18% (87/480) of camels were infested by one or more biting flies and infected with <i>Trypanosoma evansi</i> during the study period, respectively. The collected biting flies were identified into a total of 3 genera: <i>Hippobosca, Stomoxys</i>, and <i>Tabanus</i> under the stereomicroscope. In the present study, <i>Hippobosca</i> (40.4%) was the most prevalent biting fly, followed by <i>Stomoxys</i> (31%) and <i>Tabanus</i> (28.6%), which affected camels in the study area. Among camels infected with <i>Trypanosoma evansi</i>, 7.3% and 16% were positive for parasitological and serological tests, respectively. Age, body condition score, and season appeared to have a significant effect (<span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="18.973pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" id="M1" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 18.973 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g113-113" d="M570 304C570 398 525 448 414 448C385 448 343 445 312 434L329 511L321 518C297 504 262 482 244 460L233 411C195 397 159 381 128 358L135 332C160 347 189 360 224 373L111 -147C97 -210 84 -218 17 -231L13 -257L254 -247L259 -218L233 -216C183 -212 177 -202 189 -142L218 -1C238 -10 266 -12 283 -12C351 3 429 48 483 105C543 168 570 242 570 304ZM482 289C482 161 380 33 304 33C278 33 248 51 233 69L303 396C326 400 352 403 369 403C428 403 482 380 482 289Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.342,0)"><path id="g117-93" d="M531 71V127L115 310L531 494V550L57 335V285L531 71ZM531 -40V10H57V-40H531Z"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"></span><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28.184pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.555183800000002 -8.34882 28.184 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.605,0)"><path id="g113-49" d="M241 635C89 635 35 457 35 312C35 153 89 -12 240 -12C390 -12 443 166 443 312C443 466 390 635 241 635ZM238 602C329 602 354 454 354 312C354 172 330 22 240 22C152 22 124 173 124 313S148 602 238 602Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,28.845,0)"><path id="g113-47" d="M113 -12C146 -12 170 11 170 46C170 78 146 103 114 103S58 78 58 46C58 11 82 -12 113 -12Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,31.809,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.049,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,44.289,0)"><path id="g113-54" d="M153 550H386L412 615L406 623H120L82 318C104 327 142 338 184 338C294 338 347 275 347 187C347 112 305 39 221 39C160 39 119 71 97 89C88 97 80 96 71 90C59 80 50 67 49 57C48 45 52 36 66 23C80 9 123 -12 169 -12C221 -11 288 15 342 59C403 109 431 165 431 225C431 308 366 395 238 395C212 395 165 379 127 364L153 550Z"/></g></svg>)</span></span> on the prevalence of biting flies and <i>T. evansi</i> on dromedaries. According to the findings of this study, biting flies and <i>Trypanosoma evansi</i> were the most common limitations on camel health, production, and productivity in the study area. As a result of the possible threat of biting flies’ infestation and <i>Trypanosoma evansi</i> on camels, all-around attention is required in terms of strategic acaricide application, proper antiprotozoal drug use, and raising knowledge about acaricide use to prevent and control biting flies’ infestation.

Adugna Chalchisa

Bersissa Kumsa

Fekadu Gutema Wegi

Biting Flies and Associated Pathogens in Camels in Amibara District of Afar Region, Ethiopia

The ability of ticks to adapt to different ecological zones, coupled with the spread of infectious pathogens negatively affects livestock production and thus, there is a need for better control strategies. However, control measures within a geographical region can only be effective if there is available information on tick population dynamics and ecology. This study focused on ticks infesting livestock in the Kassena-Nankana Districts of the Upper East Region of Ghana. The ticks were morphologically identified, variables such as season, animal host, and predilection sites were recorded, and the data were analyzed using STATA version 13. Out of 448 livestock examined, tick infestation in cattle was (78.60%), followed by sheep (25%) and goats (5.88%). A total of 1,550 ticks including nymphs (303) and adults (1,247) were collected. Adult ticks were found to be significantly associated with season (<span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="18.973pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" id="M1" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 18.973 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g113-113" d="M570 304C570 398 525 448 414 448C385 448 343 445 312 434L329 511L321 518C297 504 262 482 244 460L233 411C195 397 159 381 128 358L135 332C160 347 189 360 224 373L111 -147C97 -210 84 -218 17 -231L13 -257L254 -247L259 -218L233 -216C183 -212 177 -202 189 -142L218 -1C238 -10 266 -12 283 -12C351 3 429 48 483 105C543 168 570 242 570 304ZM482 289C482 161 380 33 304 33C278 33 248 51 233 69L303 396C326 400 352 403 369 403C428 403 482 380 482 289Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.342,0)"><path id="g117-91" d="M512 -3V55L134 254V256L512 456V514L75 281V230L512 -3Z"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"/><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28.184pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.555183800000002 -8.34882 28.184 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.605,0)"><path id="g113-49" d="M241 635C89 635 35 457 35 312C35 153 89 -12 240 -12C390 -12 443 166 443 312C443 466 390 635 241 635ZM238 602C329 602 354 454 354 312C354 172 330 22 240 22C152 22 124 173 124 313S148 602 238 602Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,28.845,0)"><path id="g113-47" d="M113 -12C146 -12 170 11 170 46C170 78 146 103 114 103S58 78 58 46C58 11 82 -12 113 -12Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,31.809,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.049,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,44.289,0)"><path id="g113-50" d="M384 0V27C293 34 287 42 287 114V635C232 613 172 594 109 583V559L157 557C201 555 205 550 205 499V114C205 42 199 34 109 27V0H384Z"/></g></svg>),</span></span> with a high burden in the wet season. The nymph burden and body parts of livestock hosts were significantly associated with more nymphs collected from male animals than females (<span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="18.973pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" id="M2" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 18.973 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-113"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.342,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-91"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"/><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28.184pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.555183800000002 -8.34882 28.184 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.605,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,28.845,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,31.809,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.049,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,44.289,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g></svg>).</span></span> Three genera of ticks, <i>Amblyomma</i> (62.97%), <i>Hyalomma</i> (18.71%), and <i>Rhipicephalus</i> (18.32%) were morphologically identified with the most predominant tick species recorded as <i>Amblyomma variegatum</i> (62.97%). Matured <i>A. variegatum</i> was sampled primarily in the wet season with their predilection site as the udder/scrotum (<span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="18.973pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" id="M3" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 18.973 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-113"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.342,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-91"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"/><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28.184pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.555183800000002 -8.34882 28.184 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.605,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,28.845,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,31.809,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.049,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,44.289,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g></svg>).</span></span> However, adult <i>Hyalomma truncatum</i> was observed to have a significant association with the anal region (<span class="inline_break"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="18.973pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" id="M4" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 18.973 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-113"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,11.342,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-91"/></g></svg><span class="irelop"/><span class="nowrap"><svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="28.184pt" style="vertical-align:-3.42938pt" height="11.7782pt" version="1.1" viewBox="22.555183800000002 -8.34882 28.184 11.7782"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,22.605,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,28.845,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,31.809,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,38.049,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,44.289,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g></svg>).</span></span> Findings from this study are essential for formulating tick control measures to prevent the spread of infectious pathogens.

Seth Offei Addo

Ronald Essah Bentil

Bernice Olivia Ama Baako

Jane Ansah-Owusu

Christopher Nii Laryea Tawiah-Mensah

Eric Behene

Victor Asoala

James C. Dunford

John Asiedu Larbi

Philip Kweku Baidoo

Michael David Wilson

Joseph W. Diclaro

Samuel K. Dadzie

Spatial and Seasonal Patterns of Tick Infestations in Kassena-Nankana Livestock

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<p><em>Veterinary Medicine International</em> publishes original research articles and review articles in all areas of veterinary research. Topics covered include the biological basis of disease, as well as diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and epidemiology.</p>


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Veterinary Medicine International publishes original research articles and review articles in all areas of veterinary research. Topics covered include the biological basis of disease, as well as diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and epidemiology.

Veterinary Medicine International