Epizootiological Monitoring of Piroplasmosis and Ixodidosis in Cattle in Western Kazakhstan
Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
Piroplasmoses are obligately transmissible diseases caused by non-pigmented endoglob-ular blood parasites, affecting various domestic and wild animals, particularly cattle and small ruminants. In Kazakhstan, particularly in West Kazakhstan, these diseases lead to significant economic losses in the livestock sector. This study, conducted in 2024, aimed to investigate the epizootic situation of piroplasmoses and ixodidoses in cattle in West Ka-zakhstan. Blood samples from 507 cattle and 581 ixodid ticks were collected for analysis. Ticks were identified to genus and species, and blood parasites were diagnosed using PCR. The study found 11 tick species, with Hyalomma being the most abundant. Peak tick activi-ty occurred in the spring-summer period, with up to 100% cattle infestation in the steppe zone. Tick abundance varied by age and environmental conditions, with the highest rates in young cattle aged 1-3 years in desert areas. PCR analysis of blood samples revealed blood parasite DNA in 32% of cattle, indicating high prevalence of piroplasmoses. Addi-tionally, 6.9% of ixodid ticks tested positive for piroplasmoses pathogens, confirming their role in disease transmission.