Tick Borne Hemoparasitic Diseases of Ruminants: A Review

Tick borne diseases are caused by different microorganisms and transmitted by ticks. They are the most prevalent and devastating diseases in the developing countries all over the world. The objective of this paper is to review tick borne hemoparasitic diseases of ruminants. Tick borne hemoparasitic diseases of ruminants such as Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and Theileriosis remain most important in tropics areas. Anaplasmosis, a rickettsial disease of blood caused by Anaplasma marginale and characterized by progressive anemia, jaundice and fever without hemoglobinuria. Babesiosis is the other tickborne disease caused by protozoan of the genus Babesia and characterized by haemolytic anemia and fever, with hemoglobinuria. It is a disease with a world-wide distribution affecting many species of mammals with a major impact on cattle.Theilerioses is also a tick borne protozoal disease in ruminants caused by hemoprotozoan parasites belonging to the genus Theileria. Theileria parva, is the most pathogenic species in Africa cause a disease called East coast fever which is characterized by enlargement of superficial lymph nodes and a sustainable fever. Losses from tick borne hemoparasitic diseases of ruminants like reduction of milk and meat production, restricting the introduction of susceptible cattle breed with superior genetics, costs from death and abortion as well as costs for treatment and control purposes are taking away the benefits of livestock owner and nation. Effective diagnosis of tick borne hemoparasitic diseases of ruminants is helpful to implement appropriate prevention and control strategies. Tick control, chemoprophylaxis and immunoprophylaxis are the basic methods to control tick borne hemoparasitic diseases of ruminants.