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Seasonal prevalence of ticks and their association with dermatophilosis in cattle on the Accra plains of Ghana

Published by:
Publication date
25/05/1994
Language:
English
Type of Publication:
Articles & Journals
Focus Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa
Focus Topic:
Agricultural Value Chains / Agri-Businesses
Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7863064
Author
Ambrose, N.C.; Heron, I.D.; Koney, E.B.; Morrow, A.N.; Walker, A.R.

The seasonal abundance of adult ticks on cattle and their association with dermatophilosis were investigated in five herds on the coastal plains of Ghana over a 26-month period. Four genera, Amblyomma, Boophilus, Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma were identified, A. variegatum being the predominant species occurring throughout the year with two peaks of infestation, one in April-May and the other in November. A significant positive correlation was revealed between A. variegatum and dermatophilosis in four of the five herds. Significant positive correlations were found between H. m. rufipes and dermatophilosis in two of the herds and between Rh. senegalensis and dermatophilosis in one herd. Negative correlations of statistical significance were observed between Boophilus species and dermatophilosis in three of the herds. Nevertheless, it was considered that A. variegatum was the most important tick factor involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.