The epizootic situation of pyroplasmidosis (blood parasitic diseases) of cattle in the northern regions of the Republic of Karakalpakstan

In the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the epizootic situation regarding blood-parasitic diseases in cattle has not yet been adequately studied. Blood-parasitic diseases in cattle are seasonal and coincide with the period of tick activity, that is, the warm season. According to A.G. Gafurov (2002), a high prevalence of ixodid ticks has been observed in all municipal districts of the republic in recent years. This article investigates the epizootiological status of theileriosis in cattle in the northern regions of the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The study examines the carrier state of blood-parasitic disease pathogens in cattle, as well as the fauna of ticks that serve as vectors of these diseases. Blood smear samples were collected from infected animals and analyzed. The results of the study revealed that Boophilus calcaratus ticks were not found in the surveyed areas, whereas Hyalomma anatolicum — the main vector of cattle theileriosis — was identified with a prevalence of up to 61%, and Hyalomma detritum up to 39%. Among 567 head of cattle examined in farms located in the Khodjeyli, Buzatov, and Nukus districts, 67 animals (11.8%) were diagnosed with theileriosis. Parasitological analysis of blood smears from cattle in the "Islambek-Zaynab" farm (Khodjeyli district), among rural residents of the Nukus district, and in the "Shakhamanly Asadbek" farm (Buzatov district) showed the presence of theileria pathogens in 22.2% of the animals. It was also established that the first recorded outbreak of theileriosis in the northern regions of the republic occurred at the end of May (3.3%), with the peak incidence observed in July (7.6%).

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