Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases of Livestock in the Middle East and North Africa: A Review

Abstract

Ticks are important vectors of an array of viral, bacterial and protozoan pathogens resulting in a wide range of animal and human diseases. There is limited information in the literature about tick species in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, even though they have suitable climate and vegetation for ticks and their hosts. We reviewed the occurrence of tick species and the pathogens they transmit from the MENA on published papers from 1901–2020. We found taxonomic records of 55 tick species infesting livestock representing the following eight genera: Ornithodoros, Otobius, Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes, and Rhipicephalus. In addition, 15 pathogens were recorded causing diseases of significance, with Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever, theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis being widely distributed diseases in the region. In recent decades, there has been increasing trends in disease occurrence and movement associated with global movement of humans and global trade of animals. We suggest that disease control and prevention could be achieved effectively through good integration between public health, veterinary medicine and animal management, and ecological approaches. We recommend further research in the areas of tick ecology and tick born-disease transmission. Furthermore, we suggest evaluation and improvement of disease control policies in the region.

Four Tick-Borne Microorganisms and Their Prevalence in Hyalomma Ticks Collected from Livestock in United Arab Emirates

“…Nevertheless, the incidence of tick-borne infections is increasing in various parts of the world [ 4 , 5 ]. Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), rickettsioses, tularemia, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and tropical theileriosis are the most common tick-borne diseases transmitted by the genus Hyalomma in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) [ 6 ]. The distribution of tick vector species and tick-borne pathogens are continuing to expand and overlap [ 4 ].…”

“…The distribution of tick vector species and tick-borne pathogens are continuing to expand and overlap [ 4 ]. Multiple factors are involved in the increase in tick-borne diseases in the MENA region including expansion of tick geographic ranges due to wide-ranging livestock farming, import of animals from other geographic regions, an abundance of wildlife populations that support ticks lifecycles, and improved diagnostics and surveillance [ 6 ]. Thus, Hyalomma (Acari: Ixodidae) species which are widespread in the MENA region, Southern Europe, Central, Southern and South-Eastern Asia [ 6 , 7 , 8 ] pose a serious threat to human and animal health, and food security [ 6 ].…”

“…Tick-borne rickettsioses are caused by members of the genus Rickettsia , which are obligate intracellular bacteria belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG) of the order Rickettsiales [ 25 , 26 ]. It is worth noting that the Mediterranean spotted fever caused by Rickettsia conorii is found in various Arab countries [ 6 ]. In addition, Rickettsia spp.…”

“…Theileria annulata , T. parva , T. lestoquardi , T. luwenshuni , T. ovis , and T. uilenbergi are mainly pathogenic to ruminants [ 33 ]. Theileria has been reported from most of the countries in the MENA region [ 6 ].…”

Overview on Tick Borne Diseases and Paralysis With Reference to Egypt

“…Ticks play a major role in transmitting humans and animals' infectious diseases. Economic loss due to tick-borne infectious diseases among ruminants in tropical and subtropical could be several billion dollars per year (Perveen et al, 2021). In the United States, ticks can cause human disease, as 1-Anaplasmosis, 2-Babesiosis, 3-Borrelia mayonii, 4-Lyme disease, 5-Borrelia miyamotoi, 6-Bourbon virus, 7-Colorado tick fever, 8-Ehrlichiosis, 9-Heartland virus, 10-Powassan disease, 11-Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis, 12-Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), 13-STARI (Southern tick-associated rash illness), 14-Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF), 15-Tularemia and 16-364D rickettsiosis (CDC, 2020).…”