Biodiversity and Epidemiology of Tick Infestation in Pet Dogs in Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

This study is aimed at investigating the species composition, richness, diversity indices, evenness, spread, prevalence, and risk factors associated with tick infestation among pet dogs in Baghdad, Iraq. Six hundred and sixty-five pet dogs were subjected to systematic integumentary examinations; the ticks were collected in 70% ethanol and transported to the Laboratory, where they were morphologically identified using standard entomological keys. The biodiversity and species richness indices, the prevalence and risk factors of the infestation patterns, and the degree of tick infestation were determined. Of the 665 pet dogs sampled, 313 were infested with ticks, representing a prevalence of 47.07% with a 95% confidence interval of 43.30–50.87. A total of 759 ticks were collected belonging to four different species (Hyalomma anatolicum, Rhipicephalus linnaei, Rhipicephalus pravus, and Rhipicephalus turanicus), with R. linnaei being the most prevalent. The biodiversity and species richness indices of ticks infesting pet dogs in Baghdad, Iraq, showed a low diversity and richness of tick species among the dogs, with fewer species (R. linnaei) dominating the ecosystem, and with the dogs being evenly distributed across the tick species. Breed, sex, age, season, and degree of infestation were significantly associated with the infestation of ticks among pet dogs in the study. This appears to be the first study in Iraq to assess the biodiversity of tick infestation in dogs. Findings from this study emphasize the need for owners of pet dogs to adopt regular, proper, and adequate tick control programs to prevent possible zoonotic transmissions of pathogens.