Ticks and tick-borne diseases are major impediments to livestock production. To date, there have been several studies on the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in cattle, but very few studies have documented TBPs in goats in Uganda. In this study, polymerase chain reaction assays and sequence analysis of different molecular markers were used to assess the presence and genetic characteristics of TBPs in 201 goats from Kasese district in western Uganda. The risk factors associated with TBP infections were also analyzed. We detected Theileria spp. (13.4%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (10.9%), Anaplasma ovis (5.5%), Babesia ovis (5.5%), and Ehrlichia ruminantium (0.5%). The sequences of B. ovis ssu rRNA and A. ovismsp4 genes showed some degree of diversity among the parasite isolates in this study. The E. ruminantium pCS20 sequence formed a well-supported clade with isolates from Amblyomma variegatum ticks from Uganda. Wildlife interaction, sampling location, low body condition score, tick infestation, and herd size were significantly associated with TBP infections in the goats. The findings in this study provide important information on the epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens in Uganda, and show that goats could be potential reservoirs for tick-borne pathogens.

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) indulge in severe economic losses in the livestock industry by adversely affecting the small ruminant breeding in tropical and subtropical zone countries, including Turkey. Turkey encompasses a wide land area representing diverse climatic conditions. The present study explored the presence and distribution of Babesia ovis, Theileria ovis, Theileria lestoquardi, Anaplasma ovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the co-occurrence status of these pathogens. A total of 299 sheep blood samples were collected from fifteen provinces located in six different geographical regions in Turkey. PCR analyses were executed using species-specific primers based on Babesia ovis BoSSU rRNA, Theileria ovis ToSSU rRNA, Theileria lestoquardi 18S rRNA, Anaplasma ovis Major Surface Protein (AoMSP4), and Anaplasma phagocytophilum 16S rRNA genes. Overall, 219 (73.24%) sheep were found to be infected with at least one of the following protozoan and rickettsial pathogens; B. ovis, A. ovis,T. ovis, and A. phagocytophilum. Theileria lestoquardi was not detected in any blood sample. The global prevalence of B. ovis, A. ovis, T. ovis, and A. phagocytophilum was estimated to be 2.68%, 16.05%, 41.47%, and 57.19%, respectively. Besides this, dual (24.41%), triple (9.03%), and quadruple (0.67%) co-infections were detected in the study. Phylogenetic analysis revealed significant nucleotide sequence identities between the sequences obtained in this study and the sequences registered in the GenBank. This study provides relevant data regarding the predominance of ovine tick-borne protozoan and rickettsial agents in Turkey. A high molecular prevalence of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) was identified in the study. This situation indicates that TBPs should be screened continuously, and necessary control measures should be taken to prevent diseases caused by tick-borne protozoan and rickettsial agents.

Hemoplasmas (hemotropic mycoplasmas) are small pleomorphic bacteria that parasitize the surface of red blood cells of several mammalian species including cattle, goats, and humans, causing infectious anemia. However, studies on hemoplasmas have been neglected and to date, there are no studies on bovine and caprine hemoplasmas in Uganda or the entire East African region. In this study, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene was used to investigate the presence of hemoplasma in 409 samples (cattle = 208; goats = 201) collected from Kasese district, western Uganda. Results showed that 32.2% (67/208) of cattle samples and 43.8% (88/201) of goat samples were positive for hemoplasmas. Sequencing analysis identified Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos and Mycoplasma wenyonii in cattle, while Candidatus Mycoplasma erythrocervae and Mycoplasma ovis were identified in goats. Statistical analysis showed that goats were at a higher risk of infection with hemoplasmas compared with cattle. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first molecular evidence of hemoplasmas in bovine and caprine animals in Uganda and the entire east African region.

Goats are key livestock animals and goat raising is an income-generating venture for smallholder farmers, supporting agricultural development in many parts of the world. However, goat production is often limited by various factors, such as tick-borne diseases. Goat piroplasmosis is a disease caused by apicomplexan parasites Babesia spp. and Theileria spp., while anaplasmosis is caused by bacterial Anaplasma spp. In the Philippines, the presence of Babesia, Theileria, and Anaplasma has not been reported in goats. In this study, DNA obtained from goats were molecularly screened for Babesia/Theileria and Anaplasma. Of 396, 77.02% (305/396) and 38.64% (153/396) were positive for piroplasma and Anaplasma using PCR assays targeting the 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes, respectively. Similarly, Babesia ovis was detected in six samples (1.52%). Representative Babesia/Theileria sequences shared 89.97–97.74% identity with each other and were most closely related to T. orientalis, T. annulata, and Theileria spp. Meanwhile, Anaplasma 16SrRNA sequences were related to A. odocoilei, A. platys, and A. phagocytophilum. This is the first molecular identification of B. ovis, Theileria spp., and Anaplasma spp. in goats from the Philippines.

In this study, cattle farms located in Oudalan and Séno, two provinces in the Sahel region, northern Burkina Faso, were surveyed. Cattle owners were interviewed, cattle were examined for tick infestation, and ticks as well as blood samples were collected during the dry season (October). Blood DNA samples were tested for Babesia and Theileria infections using nested PCRs and sequencing. A total of 22 herds, 174 Zebu cattle were investigated at 6 different sites. Overall, 76 cattle (43.7 %) from 18 farms (81.8%) were found infested with ticks. Cattle in Séno, adult cattle (>5 years) and those owned by the Fulani ethnic group were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to be tick-infested. A total of 144 adult ticks belonging to five species namely: Hyalomma impeltatum, Hyalomma impressum, Hyalomma rufipes, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, and Rhipicephalus guilhoni were collected from the animals. Piroplasms were detected in the blood DNA of 23 (13.2%) cattle. The cattle in Séno and adult cattle were significantly more likely to be piroplasm-positive. Five pathogens diversely distributed were identified. Theileria mutans (12/174), Babesia bigemina (5/174), Theileria annulata (3/174), and Theileria velifera (3/174) were detected for the first time in northern Burkina Faso, whereas Babesia occultans (1/174) was found for the first time in cattle in West Africa. The analysis of the sequences, including B. bigemina RAP-1a, T. annulata Tams1 genes, and the 18S rRNA genes of all the five protozoa, revealed identities ranging from 98.4 to 100% with previously published sequences. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 18S rRNA gene sequences located north Burkina Faso piroplasms in the same clade as isolates from Africa and other regions of the world. Notably, T. mutans sequences were distributed in two clades: the T. mutans Intona strain clade and the Theileria sp. (strain MSD)/ Theileria sp. B15a clade, suggesting the presence of at least two strains in the area. These findings indicate that the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases should be taken into account in strategies to improve animal health in the Sahel region.

Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) massively impact bovine production. In endemic countries, animals are often subclinically infected, showing no signs of the illness. Anemia is a hallmark of TBDs, but there is inadequate information on its presence in infected Thai cattle. In the present study, 265 cattle from four provinces in Thailand were surveyed to identify tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) and to evaluate the changes in the packed cell volume (PCV) values associated with detection. Microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were also compared for TBP detection. Babesia/Theileria/Hepatozoon was detected in 33.58% (89/265) of the cattle samples. Specifically, Babesia bovis (9/265), B. bigemina (12/265), Theileria orientalis (62/265), and Anaplasma marginale (50/265) were identified using species-specific assays. Significant decreases in the mean PCV levels were observed in cattle that were positive for at least one TBP (p < 0.001), Babesia/Theileria/Hepatozoon (p < 0.001), T. orientalis (p < 0.001), and A. marginale (p = 0.049). The results of PCR and microscopy for the detection of TBPs suggested slight and fair agreement between the two detection tools. The present findings contribute to a better understanding of TBDs in the field and shall facilitate the formulation of effective control for TBDs in Thailand.