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Molecular identification of cattle ticks in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana: a high occurrence of Rhipicephalus microplus

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Abstract

Ticks are competent vectors of a wide range of pathogens. They are of veterinary and public health importance as they affect both animal and human health. Transhumance and the transboundary movements of cattle within the West African Sub-region have facilitated the spread of ticks which threatens the introduction of invasive species. Currently, Rhipicephalus microplus have been identified in the Upper East Region of Ghana which could mean a wider distribution of the species across the country due to livestock trade. This study focused on three sites in the Greater Accra Region, which serves as the gateway to receiving most of the cattle transported from the northern regions of Ghana. Ticks were sampled from August 2022 in the wet season to January 2023 in the dry season. Three tick genera were identified: Amblyomma (19.5%), Hyalomma (1.1%), and Rhipicephalus (79.3%) from the 1,489 feeding ticks collected from cattle. Furthermore, Rhipicephalus microplus, Hyalomma rufipes and Amblyomma variegatum were identified molecularly using primers that target the mitochondrial COI gene. There was a significant association between the tick species and seasons (p < 0.001). Finding R. microplus in this study indicates the extent of the spread of this invasive tick species in Ghana and highlights the need for efficient surveillance systems and control measures within the country.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Parasitology Department of Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research for their support and contribution.

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This study was self-funded.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Christopher Nii Laryea Tawiah-Mensah, Seth Offei Addo, Jane Ansah-Owusu, Mufeez Abudu, Richard Odoi-Teye Malm, Kevin Nii Yartey, Jewelna Akorli & Samuel K. Dadzie

  2. Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Christopher Nii Laryea Tawiah-Mensah, Mufeez Abudu & Daniel Oduro

  3. Immunology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Daniel Oduro

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  1. Christopher Nii Laryea Tawiah-Mensah
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  2. Seth Offei Addo
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  3. Jane Ansah-Owusu
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  9. Samuel K. Dadzie
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Contributions

CNLT wrote the first draft of the manuscript. CNLT, SOA, JA, MA, ROM and KNY conducted the laboratory analysis. DO, JA and SKD supervised the study. CNLT, SOA, DO, JA and SKD designed the study. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Christopher Nii Laryea Tawiah-Mensah or Samuel K. Dadzie.

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Tawiah-Mensah, C.N., Addo, S.O., Ansah-Owusu, J. et al. Molecular identification of cattle ticks in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana: a high occurrence of Rhipicephalus microplus. Exp Appl Acarol 92, 253–261 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-023-00891-3

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