A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF CATTLE TICK INFESTATIONS AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Cattle farming is a vital component of the South African agricultural landscape through its contribution to sustainable livelihoods and stability of the national economy. The South African cattle production system has various genotypes that succumb differently to environmental and management related stressors. Among the impediments to cattle farming in South Africa are tick-borne diseases. Ticks tend to evolve with time and their characterization is key for effective control measures and treatment of tick-related diseases. We conducted a systematic review on the tick species and risk factors associated with tick infestations in different cattle genotypes in South African communities. Twenty-four studies that spanned from the year 2002 to 2022 were reviewed. The studies reported a diversity in cattle sample sizes that ranged from 52 to 650. The genotypes comprised Nguni, Bonsmara, Hereford, and non-descript cattle breeds. In summary, results showed that tick infestations were widespread in cattle. The most frequently reported tick species are Rhipicephalus decoloratus, Rhipicephalus microplus, Amblyomma variegatum, and Hyalomma truncatum.  The review further indicates tick infestation as a significant challenge to communal cattle farmers in South Africa, affecting animal health, productivity, and economic well-being. The evaluation of risk factors has revealed an intricate interaction among animals, environmental, and management factors influencing the prevalence and intensity of tick infestations. Understanding the significance of these factors is essential for the implementation of successful tick control measures, which should consider environmental variations, address the challenge of acaricide resistance through measures such as rotational grazing, and emphasize the selection of tick-resistant genes. Keywords: Acaricide resistance, Amblyomma variegatum, cattle genotypes, Rhipicephalus decoloratus, tick-borne, tick-resistance.