A cross-sectional study was performed 200 blood samples and 314 tick samples in El Huda and El Nuhud animals production research stations, Sudan, in May (summer) and December (winter) in 2016, to determine the prevalence of Theileria lestoquardi in sheep and the potential risk factors associated with the infection. A total of 200 blood samples and 314 tick samples were collected from El Huda (n = 103 blood, 97 tick) and El Nuhud (n = 97 blood, 217 tick) stations. Data on the risk factors, such as age, sex, ecotype of sheep, body condition score and seasons were recorded. The overall prevalence of Theileria lestoquardi was 13% (26/200) using PCR. A significant variation in the prevalence of Theileria lestoquardi was observed between the stations and the ecotype of sheep ( p ≤ 0.05), whereas the highest prevalence was recorded in El-Huda station (19.4%) as well as in Shugor (22.8%). Other risk factors, like age, sex, body condition, and seasons were not found to be significantly associated with infection. However, the highest prevalence rate was recorded in old animals (21.6%) than the other, in males (17.9%) than females (12.2%), in animals with poor body condition (26.1%) than the other, and in winter (16%) than summer (10%). Four tick species i.e. Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (63.1%), Hyalomma anatolicum (13.8%), Hyalomma dromedarii (8.8%), and Hyalomma impeltatum (14.3%) were recorded in El Nuhud station. While in El Huda station, only Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (79.4%), Hyalomma anatolicum (20.6%) were recorded. This study revealed that 13% of sheep were suffering from Theileria lestoquardi which is a considerable number at the stations. Therefore, further epidemiological investigations on disease throughout the year are required in order to set a well-coordinated control program.

Background and objective: Ixodid ticks are serious obstacle to development and utilization of animal resource in tropical countries like Sudan. Over 70 species of tick are prevalent in the Sudan in diverse ecological zones. The aim of this study was to provide a baseline data on tick species infesting cattle in the Northern State, Sudan as a prerequisite to design tick control policy in the state as well as the whole country. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in April 2017 and included seven provinces of the state. Total body tick collection (n=1,098) was carried out from 365 heads of cattle. Tick identification to the genus and species level was carried out as well as statistical analysis using two-way ANOVA. Results: Nine tick species of two genera, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus, were identified. The genus Hyalomma represented 82% of the collected ticks. Hyalomma rufipes was the most common tick species (48.5%) followed by Rhipicephalus praetextatus (14.9%), H. anatolicum (14.4%), H. excavatum (12.8%), H. dromedarii and R. sanguineus (3.4% each), H. impeltatum (2.2%), H. marginatum (0.46%) and the least prevalent tick species was R. evertsi evertsi (0.09%). The prevalence of tick infestation significantly varied within the age groups for H. anatolicum, H. rufipes and H. excavatum. The mean tick infestation was found to be independent on breed and sex of the animals. Conclusion: It is concluded that there were nine ticks species distributed in the State. Among these species is H. anatolicum, which is the vector of two vital diseases, bovine tropical theileriosis and malignant ovine theileriosis. Thus, tick control strategy, and creation of awareness among animal breeders on the problem associated with tick infestation are recommended.

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