Comparative infection rates of Theileria annulata in Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum ticks in arid and semi-arid regions of north-west India

摘要

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the comparative infection rates of Theileria annulata in Hyalomma ticks of the arid (western Rajasthan) and semi-arid (Haryana) regions of north-west India. Hyalomma annatolicum anatolicum ticks collected from cattle and their dwellings were screened for the presence of T. annulata by using methyl-green pyronin staining method. A total of 1806 ticks were screened for this purpose. In Rajasthan, 320 (29.85%) of 1072 and in Haryana, 100 (13.62%) of 734ticks were found positive for Theileria. The intensity of infection in ticks in Haryana was 11.46% and 18.50% in Rajasthan, while abundance of T. annulata in these states was 1.561% and 5.523%, respectively. The prevalence, intensity and abundance of Theileria were more in females than in male ticks in both the regions.