The purpose of this study was to describe an unreported entomopathogenic fungus that naturally infects the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae). Engorged female ticks, showed symptoms of fungal infection after controlled tick infestation of cattle. Infected ticks developed a distinctive dark colour, a pale mould grew over the cuticle and the ticks eventually died covered with fungal conidiophores. The responsible fungus was isolated and cultured on mycological medium and submitted to microscopic morphology, biochemical phenotyping and 18S rRNA ribotyping analyses, which identified it as aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus. Spores from the cultured fungus were experimentally sprayed over healthy engorged female ticks, obtaining an 80% prevalence of experimental infection of healthy ticks and their egg masses, the larval progeny after incubation under laboratory conditions was also infected. These results demonstrate that A. flavus is the causative agent of the natural fungal disease of the cattle tick R. microplus described here.

This study was carried out on some epidemiological aspects and vector role of ticks infesting layers in Faisalabad (Pakistan). The prevalence of tick infestation was found as 11% (88/800), 24% (192/800) and 12.7% (413/3250) on Indigenous, Babcock and White Leghorn varieties of layers, respectively. Two species of ticks namely Argas persicus (10%; 485/4,850) and Argas vespertilionis (3.5%; 170/4,850) were recorded. Tick infestation was found higherin summermonths, in youngerbirds and in areas having densely located farms. The vector role of Argas persicus and Argas vespertilionis in the transmission of spirochaetosis in layer chicken was confirmed through isolation of Borrelia anserina from naturally infected ticks and their experimental transmission. Three species of bacteria namely Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella pullorum and Escherichia coli were isolated from the triturated Argas persicus and Argas vespertilionis. Results of the present study were not different from those reported in literature, but for the first time in the study area. These results warrant for further research and also following effective tick control programs in orderto save the farmers from economic losses.

In Kenya, there are at least seven distinct tick-borne diseases (the ileriosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, heartwater, Nairobi sheep disease, sweating sickness and erhlichiosis in dogs). Theileriosis causes major economic losses arising from deaths of infected cattle.

Control of these diseases is almost exclusively by the application of chemical acaricides to cattle. Use of acaricides is regulated and only those passing field tests are permitted to be marketed in Kenya. Field trials on immunization against East Coast fever (ECF) by infection and treatment are still continuing. Chemotherapy treatment is also available but quite expensive.

The Veterinary Department continuously evaluates acaricides which have been documented to have activity against ticks. These acaricides have been grouped into four groups ranging from organophosphorus compounds in Group I to synthetic pyrethroids in Group IV. To-date Groups III and IV acaricides are kept as reserve, although amitraz in Group III can be used on a limited scale on privately owned farms.