Cross-sectional study of cattle lice infestation in the region of Nabeul in north-east Tunisia.
This cross-sectional study is the first to estimate the prevalence of cattle pediculosis in Tunisia. A total of 39 cattle farms in the region of Nabeul in north-east Tunisia were visited and lice were collected by intensively brushing 789 cattle. The prevalence was estimated to be 20.5% on the farms (8/39) and 4.7% in animals (37/789). Collected parasites were examined under a stereomicroscope and three lice species were identified: Bovicola bovis, Linognathus vituli and Haematopinus eurysternus. Thirty-two animals were infested with the chewing lice B. bovis (4%), three with H. eurysternus (0.4%) and two with L. vituli (0.2%). The infestation prevalence was higher in calves under eight months of age (21.6%)than in adults (0.8%). Decision-makers in animal health should consider this parasitic disease in their control and eradication programmes.
Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Université de La Manouba, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
M
M
Gharbi
Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Université de La Manouba, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
H
H
Ben Abdallah
Private veterinarian, 8045 El Haouaria, Tunisia
Y
Y
Mbarek
Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Université de La Manouba, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
M
M
Jedidi
Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Université de La Manouba, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
M A
MA
Darghouth
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology
Cattle; Parasite; Pediculosis; Tunisia