Prevalence and risk factors associated with tick infestation of buffaloes in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India

摘要

The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is well adapted in most regions of the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India. Despite its socio-economic importance, little is known about the prevalence of ectoparasites of buffalo in this region. We aimed to identify buffalo ectoparasite (tick) prevalence in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh and to determine the possible risk factors associated with tick infestation. A cross-sectional study was conducted by sampling 120 farms and 1264 buffaloes for ectoparasites. Of the buffaloes sampled, 59.8% (756/1264) had tick infestation from the speciesRhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplusandHyalomma anatolicum anatolicum. The prevalence of infestation of buffalo with tick was associated with sex [male (78.5%); female (51.8%)] (OR: 1.68; P < 0.05), age [buffaloes of (1-12 months) (97.2%); buffaloes of (>24 months) (24.3%)] (OR: 4.2; P < 0.05) and origin [brought from other farm (81.1%); born in same farm (54.2%)] (OR: 1.6; P < 0.03). Buffaloes bred in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India present high level of tick infestation probably due to the climatic and poor sanitary conditions of the region.