Prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in co-grazed dairy bovines differs by region and host-type in Tamil Nadu, India

Ponnudurai, G., Larcombe, S., Velusamy, R., Rani, N., Kolte, S.W., Rubinibala, B., Alagesan, A., Rekha, B. and Shiels, B. (2017) Prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in co-grazed dairy bovines differs by region and host-type in Tamil Nadu, India. Advances in Dairy Research, 5(2), 177. (doi: 10.4172/2329-888X.1000177)

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Abstract

In India, disease of cattle caused by tick-borne pathogens (TBP) constrains the rearing of high yielding Bos taurus dairy breeds that often develop clinical, fatal disease. Bos indicus and bufflao show resistance to TBP infection, and this has led to a policy of rearing crossbred indicus-taurus cattle. On dairy farms, co-grazing more resistant animals alongside crossbreeds could contribute positively (by removing potentially infective ticks) or negatively (by acting as a reservoir for infection). We investigated epidemiological factors that contribute to the prevalence of five tick-borne pathogens with links to milk-yield in co-grazed host types in dairy farms of two regions of Tamil Nadu, India; a region of high dairy production importance. A high prevalence of T. annulata and Anaplasma spp. was detected, but with lower prevalence in the Cauvery Delta than in the Northwestern zone. A strict host-type association with prevalence was observed: buffaloes had lower prevalence of TBP than cattle; and native breeds had a lower prevalence of Anaplasma spp. than crossbreeds. The results indicate that while susceptibility to becoming a carrier animal for TBP depends on exposure to ticks; aspects of resistance are determined by host type independent of tick exposure. There was no clear evidence that co-grazing, with more resistant host types, will provide a positive contribution (protective effect) to crossbreeds with greater milk productivity.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Ponnudurai G<sup>#</sup> and Stephen Larcombe<sup>#</sup> contributed equally to this work.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Shiels, Professor Brian and Larcombe, Dr Stephen
Authors: Ponnudurai, G., Larcombe, S., Velusamy, R., Rani, N., Kolte, S.W., Rubinibala, B., Alagesan, A., Rekha, B., and Shiels, B.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Advances in Dairy Research
Publisher:OMICS International
ISSN:2329-888X
ISSN (Online):2329-888X
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 Ponnudurai G, et al.
First Published:First published in Advances in Dairy Research 5(2):177
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
631841Control of tick borne disease: molecular epidemiology, host resistance and novel vaccine antigensBrian ShielsBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/L004739/1RI BIODIVERSITY ANIMAL HEALTH & COMPMED