| Livestock Research for Rural Development 27 (10) 2015 | Guide for preparation of papers | LRRD Newsletter | Citation of this paper |
The study was conducted from October, 2013 to April, 2014 in Ada’a district, East Showa Zone, Ethiopia with the objectives of determining prevalence of major ectoparasites and examining association between ectoparasites infestation and breed, age, sex, body condition and production system. Out of 384 cattle examined 222 (57.8%) were infested by one or more species of ectoparasites. The ectoparasites identified were ticks (37.2%), lice (7.6%) and mites (1.6%) and mixed infestation (11.5%) was also recorded. Boophilus decoloratus (19.2%) was the common tick species followed by, Amblyoma variegatum (6.0%), Hyaloma marginatum (6.0%) and Rhipicephalus evertsi (6.0%). Linognathus vituli (7.6%) was the only species of lice identified in this study. Among the mites species Demodex bovis (1.3%) was the most prevalent followed by Psoroptus bovis (0.3%). The prevalence of ectoparasites significantly varied among breeds of cattle with exotic breed of cattle having a significantly higher rate of ectoparasites infestation 83% (χ2= 20.0; P=0.00) as compared to local (55.5%) and cross (41%) breeds of cattle. Significantly higher prevalence of ectoparasites (χ2 = 12.7; P=0.00) was observed in young (74.2%) than in adult (52.9%) cattle. Likewise, significantly higher prevalence of ectoparasites infestation (χ2=44.6; P=0.00) was observed in poor (71.3%) and medium (68.8) compared to cattle of good body condition group (33.9%). The prevalence of Boophilus decoloratus infestation in cattle of medium (24.7%) body condition group was significantly (χ2 =6.92; P=0.03) higher as compared to those of good body (12.6%) condition score. Amblyoma variegatum infestation was significantly (χ2=5.81; P=0.02) higher in semi intensive production system than in extensive farming system. Similarly, Rhipicephalus evertsi prevalence was highest in medium (9.4%) body condition score group than in poor (3.4%) and good (3.1%) body codition (χ2=6.35; P=0.04). Furthermore, Linognathus vituli infestation was significantly higher in local (8.9%) and cross (7.7%) breeds of cattle compared to exotic breed.
Key words: breed, ectoparasites, Ethiopia, prevalence
Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa with cattle population estimated to be about 53.99 million (CSA 2013). Cattle play a significant role in economy of Ethiopia, as a source of meat and milk, and draught power for the agriculture sector. Skins and hides are also vital contribution of the livestock sector in generating foreign export earnings (Tessema and Gashaw 2010). Yet, the contribution from livestock sector to Ethiopian economy is adversely affected by several constraints with ectoparasitism being part of the main factor (Yacob et al 2008; Onu and Shiferaw 2013).
Ectoparasites have a range of direct and indirect consequences on their hosts (James-Rugu and Jidayi 2004). They cause profound economic losses to livestock industry and farmers because of their feeding behavior causing direct damage to skin and significant blood loss (Wall 2007; Ohaeri and Ugwn 2013 and Tasawar et al 2014). More importantly, infestations of cattle by ectoparasites affect production and performance of cattle (Byford et al 1992) by causing disturbance and self wounding of cattle thus leads to limited time spent for grazing and feeding (Wall 2007; Byford et al 1992) hence, adversely affects economic production. Ectoparasites are also vector for diverse diseases (Petney et al 2007). Furthermore, ectoparasites have major impact on welfare of their hosts (Colebrook and Wall 2004).
Although, ectoparasites of cattle have been reported in some parts of Ethiopia (Yacob et al 2008; Dinka et al 2010; Tadesse et al 2011 and Onu and Shiferaw 2013) there is lack of up to date information concerning ectoparasies infestation of cattle in Ada’a district. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to identify and estimate the prevalence of major ectoparasites and to appraise potential risk factors of ectoparasites attachment to cattle in Ada’a district, East Showa Zone of Ethiopia.
The study was conducted from October, 2013 to April, 2014 in Ada’a district, East Showa Zone, Ethiopia. The area is located at 90N latitude and 400E longitude, with an altitude of 1880 meter above sea level in the central highland of Ethiopia, 46 Km South East of Addis Ababa. It has annual average rain fall of 1152mm of which 84% fall down during the long rainy season that extends from June to September. The mean annual maximum and minimum temperatures are 30oc and 8.5oc respectively and the mean relative humidity is 61.3% (NMSA 2006).
The study employed a cross sectional survey design. To calculate the total sample size, the following parameters were used: 95% confidence interval, 5% desired absolute precision and with the assumption of 55.9% (Bogale 1991) expected prevalence of ectoparasites, the sample size was determined according to the formula given by Thrusfield (1995),
Where n is the required sample size, Pexp is the expected prevalence, and d is the desired absolute precision, for n = 379. A total of 384 cattle were selected for this study i.e. 5 additional cattle were examined. Eighty four (84) households in the district were randomly selected from which 1-6 cattle per household were examined for incidence of ectoparasites. Cattle of different breed, age, sex, and body condition kept under semi-intensive and extensive production systems were included in this study. The age of cattle were divided into two groups as young (cattle of ≤ 1.5 years) and adult (cattle of ˃1.5 years) as adopted from Bitew et al (2011). Animals Body condition score was classified as good, medium and poor on bases of criteria set by Nicholson and Butterworth (1986).
Physical and ectoparasite examination were conducted. A representative of ectoparasites found on the body of animals was collected as follow: ticks and lice were collected manually from their attachment sites and put into universal bottle containing 70% alcohol labeled with breed, sex, age, body condition and production system of the animals (Soulsby 1982). Skin scrapings were obtained from cattle suspected of mange conserved in 10% formalin containing bottle labeled with breed, sex, age, body condition and production system of the animals. Mites were released from scabs and crusts using 10% KOH (Soulsby 1982). Collected samples were then transported to Addis Ababa University College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Parasitology Laboratory at Debre Zeit for parasitological examination and identification of the ectoparasites were carried out under a stereoscopic and compound microscopes according to the methods of Soulsby (1982), Urquhart et al (1996) and Wall and Shearer (1997).
Collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel 2003 spreadsheets (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA) and analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The animals were divided into different groups: according to their breed namely, local, exotic and cross breed; based on sex as female and male; age groups that is, young (cattle of ≤ 1.5 years) and adult (cattle of ˃1.5 years) and body condition score was rated as poor, medium and good production system was categorized as semi intensive and extensive. Prevalence was determined based on the formula described by Thrusfield (1995) as the rate of number of infested animals and total number of study animals. Associations between the explanatory variables (breed, sex, age, body condition score and production system) and prevalence was evaluated by fisher’s exact test analysis. Parameters recognized as significant in fisher’s exact test analysis were then subjected to logistic regression analysis to investigate the associations between prevalence and explanatory variables. Differences were considered significant at value of P<0.05.
Out of 384 cattle examined 222 (57.8%) were infested by one or more species of ectoparasites Table 1. The ectoparasites identified were ticks (37.2%), lice (7.6%) and mites (1.6%). In this study mixed infestation (11.5%) of external parasites was recorded. Among the ticks, Boophilus decoloratus (19.2%) was the most prevalent followed by Amblyoma variegatum (6.0%), Hyaloma marginatum (6.0%) and Rhipicephalus evertsi (6.0%). Linognathus vituli (7.6%) was the only species of lice identified. With regard to mite species Demodex bovis (1.3%) was the most prevalent follow by Psoroptus bovis (0.3%).
|
Table 1: Species based prevalence of ectoparasites in cattle in Ada’a district |
||
|
Ecto-parasites |
No. positive |
Prevalence (%) |
|
Boophilus decoloratus |
74 |
19.2 |
|
Amblyoma variegatum |
23 |
6.0 |
|
Hyaloma marginatum |
23 |
6.0 |
|
Rhipicephalus evertsi |
23 |
6.0 |
|
Linognathus vituli |
29 |
7.6 |
|
Psoroptus bovis |
1 |
0.3 |
|
Demodex bovis |
5 |
1.3 |
|
Mixed infestation |
44 |
11.5 |
|
Overall |
222 |
57.8 |
Prevalence of ectoparasites by breed, sex, age, body condition and production system are given in Table 2. The overall prevalence of external parasites in exotic, local and cross breeds of cattle was 83%, 55.5% and 41% respectively. It was observed that the prevalence of ectoparasites was significantly (χ2=20.0; P=0.00) higher in exotic (83%) breed than in cross (41%) and local (55.5%) breeds of cattle. Logistic regression revealed that exotic breed was more likely to be infested with ectoparasites than local and cross breeds (OR=7.78; 95%CI: 2.69-22.5).
Prevalence of ectoparasites was significantly (χ2 = 12.7; P=0.00) higher in young cattle (74.2%) and lowest prevalence (52.9%) was recorded in adult cattle. The overall prevalence of ectoparasites in animals with poor, medium and good body condition was 71.3%, 68.8% and 33.9% respectively. The study showed that the overall prevalence of ectoparasites infestation was significantly (χ2=44.6; P=0.00) higher in poor (71.3%) conditioned cattle than in good (33.9%) body condition score group. Logistic regression revealed that young cattle were more likely to be infested with ectoparasites than adult ones (OR=2.03; 95%CI: 1.13-3.66) and cattle of poor body condition were also more likely to be infested by ectoparasites compared to cattle of good body condition (OR=5.21; 95%CI: 2.28-9.77). Furthermore, cattle of medium body condition were also more likely to be infested by ectoparasites compared to cattle of good body condition (OR=4.48; 95%CI: 2.65-7.58). However, sex of cattle and production system did not have effect on prevalence of ectoparasites infestation (P>0.05).
|
Table 2: Prevalence of ectoparasites by breed, sex, age, body condition and production system |
||||||||
|
Risk factors |
Examined |
Positive (%) |
χ2 |
p |
OR |
p |
95%CI for OR |
|
|
Breed |
Local |
292 |
162(55.5) |
20.0 |
0.00 |
1.78 |
0.16 |
0.79-3.99 |
|
Exotic |
53 |
44(83) |
7.78 |
0.00 |
2.69-22.5 |
|||
|
Cross* |
39 |
16(41) |
1 |
|||||
|
Sex |
Male |
177 |
106(59.9) |
0.58 |
0.45 |
1.43 |
0.15 |
0.87-2.33 |
|
Female* |
207 |
116(56) |
1 |
|||||
|
Age |
Young |
89 |
66(74.2) |
12.7 |
0.00 |
2.03 |
0.02 |
1.13-3.66 |
|
Adult* |
295 |
156(52.9) |
1 |
|||||
|
Body condition |
Poor |
87 |
62(71.3) |
44.6 |
0.00 |
5.21 |
0.00 |
2.28-9.77 |
|
Medium |
170 |
117(68.8) |
4.48 |
0.00 |
2.65-7.58 |
|||
|
Good* |
127 |
43(33.9) |
1 |
|||||
|
Production system |
Semi intensive |
174 |
109(62.6) |
3.05 |
0.08 |
1.28 |
0.35 |
0.76-2.18 |
|
Extensive* |
210 |
113(53.8) |
1 |
|||||
|
OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval; *: reference category |
||||||||
Prevalence of Boophilus decoloratus by breed, sex, age, and body condition and production system is given in Table 3. None of the risk factors had significant effect on the prevalence of Boophilus decoloratus (P>0.05) except body condition of the cattle where cattle of medium (24.7%) body condition group had a significantly higher prevalence of Boophilus decoloratus infestation (χ2 =6.92; P=0.03) as compared to that of good body (12.6%) condition scores. Furthermore, logistic regression revealed that medium body condition score group was more likely to infested by Boophilus decoloratus compared to cattle of good body condition (OR=2.26; 95%CI: 1.19-4.31).
|
Table 3: Prevalence of Boophilus decoloratus by breed, sex, age, body condition and production system |
||||||||
|
Risk factors |
Examined |
Positive (%) |
χ2 |
p |
OR |
p |
95%CI for OR |
|
|
Breed |
Local |
292 |
52(17.8) |
2.53 |
0.10 |
1.02 |
0.96 |
0.38-2.78 |
|
Exotic |
53 |
16(30.2) |
2.11 |
0.18 |
0.72-6.19 |
|||
|
Cross* |
39 |
6(15.4) |
1 |
|||||
|
Sex |
Male |
177 |
38(21.5) |
1.02 |
0.31 |
1.06 |
0.85 |
0.60-1.86 |
|
Female* |
207 |
36(17.4) |
1 |
|||||
|
Age |
Young |
89 |
18(20.2) |
0.07 |
0.80 |
0.89 |
0.70 |
0.47-1.67 |
|
Adult* |
295 |
56(19) |
1 |
|||||
|
Body condition |
Poor |
87 |
16(18.4) |
6.92 |
0.03 |
1.63 |
0.22 |
0.75-3.52 |
|
Medium |
170 |
42(24.7) |
2.26 |
0.01 |
1.19-4.31 |
|||
|
Good* |
127 |
16(12.6) |
1 |
|||||
|
Production system |
Semi intensive |
174 |
36(20.7) |
0.41 |
0.52 |
0.95 |
0.87 |
0.50-1.82 |
|
Extensive* |
210 |
38(18.1) |
1 |
|||||
|
OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval; *: reference category |
||||||||
|
Table 4: Prevalence of Amblyoma variegatum by breed, sex, age, body condition and production system |
||||||||
|
Risk factors |
Examined |
Positive (%) |
χ2 |
p |
OR |
p |
95%CI for OR |
|
|
Breed |
Local |
292 |
16(5.5) |
3.19 |
0.20 |
3.40 |
0.26 |
0.41-28.2 |
|
Exotic |
53 |
6(11.3) |
4.97 |
0.16 |
0.54-45.6 |
|||
|
Cross* |
39 |
1(2.6) |
1 |
|||||
|
Sex |
Male |
177 |
14(6.8) |
0.48 |
0.49 |
0.40 |
0.08 |
0.14-1.12 |
|
Female* |
207 |
9(5.1) |
1 |
|||||
|
Age |
Young |
89 |
8(9) |
1.85 |
0.17 |
1.68 |
0.29 |
0.64-4.4 |
|
Adult* |
295 |
15(5.1) |
1 |
|||||
|
Body condition |
Poor |
87 |
3(3.4) |
2.56 |
0.28 |
0.72 |
0.65 |
0.17-3.06 |
|
Medium |
170 |
14(8.2) |
1.86 |
0.23 |
0.67-5.16 |
|||
|
Good* |
127 |
6(4.7) |
1 |
|||||
|
Production system |
Semi intensive |
174 |
16(9.2) |
5.81 |
0.02 |
3.47 |
0.02 |
1.23-9.80 |
|
Extensive* |
210 |
7(3.3) |
1 |
|||||
|
OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval; *: Reference category |
||||||||
Production system had a significant effect on prevalence of Amblyoma variegatum infestation (χ2=5.81; P=0.02) with Amblyoma variegatum infestation being higher in semi intensive production system than in extensive farming system and logistic regression analysis revealed that cattle reared in semi intensive farming system were more likely to be infested by Amblyoma variegatum compared to those reared in extensive farming system (OR=3.47; 95%CI: 1.23-9.80) Table 4. But, Amblyoma variegatum infestation did not significantly (P>0.05) vary with breed, sex, age and body condition scores.
Prevalence of Hyaloma marginatum was highest in exotic breed (13.2%) of cattle compared to local (5.1%) and cross (2.6%) breeds but did not significantly vary among breeds of cattle (P>0.05). Likewise, sex, age body condition and framing system did not have significant effect on Hyaloma marginatum infestation in cattle in this study (Table 5).
|
Table 5: prevalence of Hyaloma marginatum by breed, sex, age, body condition and production system |
||||||||
|
Risk factors |
Examined |
Positive (%) |
χ2 |
p |
OR |
p |
95%CI for OR |
|
|
Breed |
Local |
292 |
15(5.1) |
5.08 |
0.07 |
2.03 |
0.52 |
0.24-17.2 |
|
Exotic |
53 |
7(13.2) |
8.44 |
0.06 |
0.91-77.7 |
|||
|
Cross* |
39 |
1(2.6) |
1 |
|||||
|
Sex |
Male |
177 |
13(6.3) |
0.07 |
0.80 |
0.56 |
0.28 |
0.20-1.60 |
|
Female* |
207 |
10(5.6) |
1 |
|||||
|
Age |
Young |
89 |
7(7.9) |
0.72 |
0.40 |
1.49 |
0.43 |
0.55-4.03 |
|
Adult* |
295 |
16(5.4) |
1 |
|||||
|
Body condition |
Poor |
87 |
6(6.9) |
2.13 |
0.35 |
0.82 |
0.72 |
0.28-2.42 |
|
Medium |
170 |
7(4.1) |
0.44 |
0.12 |
0.16-1.24 |
|||
|
Good* |
127 |
10(7.9) |
1 |
|||||
|
Production system |
Semi intensive |
174 |
12(6.9) |
0.47 |
0.50 |
0.86 |
0.80 |
0.28-2.69 |
|
Extensive* |
210 |
11(5.2) |
1 |
|||||
|
OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval; *: Reference category |
||||||||
With regard to Rhipicephalus evertsi infestation none of the potential risk factors caused statistically significant discrepancy (P>0.05) except body condition in which prevalence of Rhipicephalus evertsi was highest in medium (9.4%) body condition score group than in poor (3.4%) and good (3.1%) body condition (χ2=6.35; P=0.04) Table 6. Furthermore, logistic regression pointed out that cattle of medium body condition were more likely to be infested by Rhipicephalus evertsi compared to those with good body condition (OR=3.35; 95%CI: 1.06-10.5).
|
Table 6: prevalence of Rhipicephalus evertsi by breed, sex, age, body condition and production system |
||||||||
|
Risk factors |
Examined |
Positive (%) |
χ2 |
p |
OR |
p |
95%CI for OR |
|
|
Breed |
Local |
292 |
16(5.5) |
0.99 |
0.61 |
0.89 |
0.88 |
0.22-3.62 |
|
Exotic |
53 |
4(7.5) |
0.72 |
0.69 |
0.15-3.57 |
|||
|
Cross* |
39 |
3(7.7) |
1 |
|||||
|
Sex |
Male |
177 |
11(5.3) |
0.36 |
0.55 |
0.98 |
0.97 |
0.39-2.48 |
|
Female* |
207 |
12(6.8) |
1 |
|||||
|
Age |
Young |
89 |
7(7.9) |
0.72 |
0.40 |
1.20 |
0.72 |
0.45-3.20 |
|
Adult* |
295 |
16(5.4) |
1 |
|||||
|
Body condition |
Poor |
87 |
3(3.4) |
6.35 |
0.04 |
1.16 |
0.85 |
0.25-5.46 |
|
Medium |
170 |
16(9.4) |
3.35 |
0.04 |
1.06-10.5 |
|||
|
Good* |
127 |
4(3.1) |
1 |
|||||
|
Production system |
Semi intensive |
174 |
14(8) |
2.39 |
0.12 |
2.05 |
0.16 |
0.75-5.63 |
|
Extensive* |
210 |
9(4.3) |
1 |
|||||
|
OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval; *: Reference category |
||||||||
Linognathus vituli infestation was significantly highest in local (8.9%) and cross (7.7%) breeds of cattle compared to exotic breed in which no case of Linognathus vituli infestation was observed (χ2=6.13; P=0.04) and it was also highest in cattle of poor (11.5%) and medium (10%) body condition score groups as compared to those with good (1.6%) body condition (χ2=11.6; P=0.00). Additionally, logistic regression raveled that cattle of poor (OR=7.68; 95%CI: 1.61-36.7) and medium (OR=7.18; 95%CI: 1.61-32.2) body condition score groups were more likely to be infested by Linognathus vituli compared to cattle of good body condition Table 7.
|
Table 7: prevalence of Linognathus vituli by breed, sex, age, body condition and production system |
||||||||
|
Risk factors |
Examined |
Positive (%) |
χ2 |
p |
OR |
p |
95%CI for OR |
|
|
Breed |
Local |
292 |
26(8.9) |
6.13 |
0.04 |
0.89 |
0.97 |
0.26-3.58 |
|
Exotic |
53 |
- |
0.00 |
0.99 |
||||
|
Cross* |
39 |
3(7.7) |
1 |
|||||
|
Sex |
Male |
177 |
17(8.2) |
0.28 |
0.60 |
0.94 |
0.85 |
0.45-2.09 |
|
Female* |
207 |
12(6.8) |
1 |
|||||
|
Age |
Young |
89 |
8(9) |
0.34 |
0.56 |
1.30 |
0.57 |
0.53-3.19 |
|
Adult* |
295 |
2(7.1) |
1 |
|||||
|
Body condition |
Poor |
87 |
10(11.5) |
11.6 |
0.00 |
7.68 |
0.01 |
1.61-36.7 |
|
Medium |
170 |
17(10) |
7.18 |
0.01 |
1.61-32.2 |
|||
|
Good* |
127 |
2(1.6) |
1 |
|||||
|
Production system |
Semi intensive* |
174 |
11(6.3) |
0.69 |
0.41 |
1 |
||
|
Extensive |
210 |
18(8.6) |
1.14 |
0.41 |
0.64-3.03 |
|||
|
OR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval; *: Reference category |
||||||||
The result of the present study showed that the overall prevalence of ectoparasites infestation was high (57.8%) in the three breeds of cattle managed under semi intensive and extensive production system and this may imply that climatic condition of the study area is ideal for the development of ectoparasites infesting cattle. Poor animal management, husbandry practices and host range might contribute this high prevalence in the study area. The findings of this study agree with report by Bogale (1991) (55.9%), but differ with the pervious findings of some other researchers. Higher prevalence (73.3%) of ectoparasites in cattle was reported by Tadesse et al (2011). Prevalence of 27.3%, 28.1% and 40.2% in cattle were reported by Onu and Shiferaw (2013), Dinka et al (2010) and Yacob et al (2008) respectively from different parts of the country. These differences might be due to differences in management practices and climatic condition of the study areas.
The prevalence of the ectoparasites was significantly (χ2= 20.0; P=0.00) higher in exotic (83%) breed as compared to local (55.5%) and cross (41%) breeds of cattle, this might be due to the high susceptibility to tick of exotic breeds of cattle (Tessema and Gashaw 2010; Gebre et al 2003). The fact, that higher prevalence of ectoparasite in exotic breed would be used in planning ectoparasites control program before introduction of improved breeds of cattle to ectoparasites endemic areas. It has also been known that increased susceptibility to parasites and major ectoparasite problems are largely related to selection for more productive breeds (Stevens et al 2006; Wall 2007).
Similarly, significantly higher prevalence of ectoparasites infestation (χ2=44.6; P=0.00) was observed in poor (71.3%) and medium (68.8) compared to cattle of good body condition group (33.9%). The higher prevalence of ectoparasites in the poor body condition scores than good body condition scores could be due to lowered immune response as a predisposing factor and/or the poor body condition could be the result of chronic ectoparasite infestation (Urquhart et al 1996). However, contrasting findings has been reported by Onu and Shiferaw (2013) and Nigatu and Teshome (2012) where there was no significant variation in the prevalence among body condition scores. These variations could be due to husbandry practices and sample size differences of this and previous studies. Significantly (χ2 = 12.7; P=0.00) varied differences in the prevalence of the ectoparasites between adult and young animals was also observed and sex of animals and production system did not affect an overall prevalence of ectoparasites infestation in cattle (P>0.05). It has also been reported that age infestation difference is evident in cattle (Ohaeri and Ugwu 2013).
In this study ticks (37.2%) infestation was the most prevalent followed by lice (7.6%) and mites (1.6%) which agrees with the previous reports on cattle (Nigatu and Teshome 2012; Ohaeri and Ugwu 2013; Onu and Shiferaw 2013). Boophilus decoloratus (19.2%) was the most prevalent tick species followed by Amblyoma variegatum (6.0%), Hyaloma marginatum (6.0%) and Rhipicephalus evertsi (6.0%). This finding agrees with the reports of Shiferaw and Abebe (2006), Yacob et al (2008), Mekonnen et al (2001), Gebre et al (2003) and Onu and Shiferaw (2013) who all reported Boophilus decoloratus as frequent ectoparasites of cattle. In contrast to this study, Assefa (2004), Belew and Mekonnen (2011) and Nibret et al (2012) reported that the predominance of cattle infested with Amblyoma variegatum from different regions of Ethiopia. This disparity between the current study and previous reports could be due to variation in management, climatic condition of study sites, breed of cattle studied and period of the studies.
Linognathus vituli was the only species of lice identified with prevalence of 7.6% in this study which is lower than 10.4% (Onu and Shiferaw 2013), 11.1% (Dinka et al 2010) and 9.5% (Tadesse et al 2011) from different parts of the country. Linognathus vituli infestation of cattle up to 77.2% has been reported from Northern Ethiopia (Yacob et al 2008). These variations might be because of dissimilarity of climatic condition and agro-ecology of the study areas.
The overall prevalence of mite infestation in this study was the least among the ectoparasites with prevalence of 1.6%. Demodex bovis and Psoroptus bovis had prevalence of 1.3% and 0.3% respectively. The current finding agrees with the report of Dinka et al (2010). In contrast, infestation rate of mite as high as 88% has be recorded in Northern Ethiopia (Yacob et al 2008). These differences might be due to variations in agro-ecology, husbandry practices and level of management of ectoparasites infestation in the current and previous study areas.
The authors would like to thank the AAU, CVMA, Parasitology Laboratory staff members for their provision of necessary materials and farmers and farm owners for their genuine cooperation during the study period.
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Received 3 August 2015; Accepted 11 August 2015; Published 1 October 2015