Al-Shammari Mona, Alanazi Ibrahim O, Alzahrani Mohammad, Alotaibi Samiah, Alkahtani Nora, Alaqil Almaha, Al-Olayan Ebtesam
Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Healthy Aging Research Institute, Health Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Pathogens. 2025 Sep 3;14(9):883. doi: 10.3390/pathogens14090883.
Tick infestation represents a significant constraint on livestock productivity in Saudi Arabia; however, there remains a substantial gap in research addressing tick species diversity, distribution, and their direct effects on milk production. This study aimed to morphologically and molecularly identify tick species infesting dairy cattle, quantify the impact of tick infestation on milk yield and composition, and contribute to the limited understanding of tick ecology and its economic implications in the region. Ticks were collected from infested cows and identified morphologically using taxonomic keys. Molecular identification was performed via PCR amplification of gene. Milk production and quality parameters were assessed in tick-infested and healthy cows in Hafar Al-Batin, Eastern Saudi Arabia. Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed as the predominant tick species in the study area, with COI sequences showing high similarity to regional isolates. Tick-infested cows exhibited substantial reductions in milk yield, fat, calcium, and potassium levels, indicating significant metabolic disruptions. Blood biochemical analysis revealed elevated levels of liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased by 238.6%, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) by 155.7%], renal markers [creatinine increased by 788.9%, urea by 130.0%], and electrolyte imbalances [serum calcium decreased by 39.5%, potassium by 45.2%]. Hematological findings included increased white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts by 44.9% and 124.7%, respectively, along with a 53.1% decrease in hemoglobin (HGB), suggesting a systemic inflammatory response and possible anemia. This study is among the first to genetically confirm the presence of in Hafar Al-Batin using molecular tools, thereby enhancing the accuracy of species-level identification and highlighting the physiological impact of tick burden on dairy productivity.
蜱虫感染是沙特阿拉伯牲畜生产力的一个重大制约因素；然而，在蜱虫物种多样性、分布及其对牛奶生产的直接影响方面的研究仍存在很大差距。本研究旨在从形态学和分子学角度鉴定感染奶牛的蜱虫物种，量化蜱虫感染对牛奶产量和成分的影响，并增进对该地区蜱虫生态学及其经济影响的有限理解。从受感染的奶牛身上采集蜱虫，并使用分类学关键特征进行形态学鉴定。通过基因的PCR扩增进行分子鉴定。在沙特阿拉伯东部哈费尔·巴廷对受蜱虫感染的奶牛和健康奶牛的产奶量和质量参数进行了评估。形态学和基因分析证实， 是研究区域内的主要蜱虫物种，其细胞色素氧化酶亚基I（COI）序列与区域分离株高度相似。受蜱虫感染的奶牛产奶量、脂肪、钙和钾水平大幅下降，表明存在明显的代谢紊乱。血液生化分析显示，肝酶水平升高[天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）升高238.6%，γ-谷氨酰转移酶（GGT）升高155.7%]，肾脏标志物[肌酐升高788.9%，尿素升高130.0%]，以及电解质失衡[血清钙降低39.5%，钾降低45.2%]。血液学检查结果包括白细胞（WBC）和红细胞（RBC）计数分别增加44.9%和124.7%，同时血红蛋白（HGB）降低53.1%，提示存在全身炎症反应和可能的贫血。本研究是首批使用分子工具从基因上证实哈费尔·巴廷存在 的研究之一，从而提高了物种水平鉴定的准确性，并突出了蜱虫负担对奶牛生产力的生理影响。
