Long term experiments at CTVM have focused on systemic immunosuppression and local
hypersensitivity caused by ticks and their effect on dermatophilosis.
The importance of adult Amblyomma variegatum ticks in aggravating clinical dermatophilosis in cattle was confirmed. The effect is however, variable depending on species and breed of host. It also appears to be confined to adult ticks.
The implication from this work is that controlling of the adult tick will reduce the incidence and severity of the disease. Helping farmers to better control the ticks would improve productivity for beef and dairying, reduce animal suffering, increase food security and perhaps reduce environmental degradation. Considerable differences in the composition of saliva of the adult and nymphal ticks was found.
The dissemination of information through an integrated extension network formed a major component of this project. |
