Occurrence of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Cattle at Iringa and Kilombero District Councils, Tanzania

Abstract Background Ticks and tick-borne diseases undermine livestock production and productivity in Tanzania. Cattle in Tanzania are challenged by several tick species and tick-borne disease which are known to be endemic in cattle such as Anaplasmosis, Theileriosis and Babesiosis. However, there is insufficient information on tick and associated tick-borne pathogens in Tanzania. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the occurrence of tick-borne pathogens including Anaplasma, Theileria and Babesia spp., in ticks from Kilombero and Iringa district councils of Tanzania. Method During January to August 2021, a repeated cross-section study was carried out and a total of 1,889 ticks were collected from 304 randomly selected cattle. The ticks were morphologically identified using morphological keys and a stereomicroscope. The identified tick species were grouped into 91 pools of 1–30 ticks according to species, sex, and collection site for analysis. The tick-borne pathogens were then detected from the tick pools using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting Anaplasma and Theileria or Babesia spp. Chi square/Fisher’s Exact test was performed to detect the difference between the proportion of pathogen positive tick pools in Iringa and Kilombero district councils and seasons. Results Overall, Anaplasma and Theileria/Babesia spp. were detected by PCR in (70.33%, n = 64) tick pools. The detection rate of both Anaplasma and Theileria/Babesia spp. was high in Amblyomma lepidum (25.00%, n = 16) followed by Rhipicephalus evertsi (23.44%, n = 15) tick pools. Tick pools from Iringa district had a significantly higher proportion of pathogen detection rate (91.04%, n = 61) as compared to Kilombero (12.50%, n = 3), (95% CI, p < 0.001). The co-infection rate of Anaplasma spp. and Theileria/Babesia spp. in all tick pools was (32.97%, n = 30). A significant higher co-infection rate of (43.28%, n = 29) was recorded in tick pools from Iringa district council (95% CI, p < 0.05). Conclusion The results showed a high tick-borne pathogen detection rate on tick pools collected from cattle from the study areas which might increase the risk of tick-borne diseases transmission and reduce animal production and productivity. Therefore, the ticks and tick-borne pathogens in the study areas highlight the need for strategic tick control approaches.