Ixodid tick infestation among camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ticks are major ectoparasites that significantly impact camels in Ethiopia. The local climate facilitates widespread infestation, particularly among camels, which are vital resources in East Africa. This study investigated pooled infestations of ixodid ticks in Ethiopian camels.

In accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses)-2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was performed across multiple electronic databases, including Scopus, ScienceDirect, African Journal Online, PubMed, Web of Science and the Wiley Online Library. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for prevalence data was used to assess the quality of included studies. Statistical examination was executed via Stata v.14. To calculate the overall infestation rate, a random-effects model was applied and established a 95% confidence interval for the data. To assess the consistency of the data, heterogeneity was measured using the I² statistic, with further exploration conducted via Galbraith plots and subgroup and sensitivity analyses. To evaluate the presence of potential publication bias, the study utilized visual inspections of funnel plots complemented by the statistical rigor of Egger's test. Ultimately, 11 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria, totaling 4,895 animals (camels) across six regions of Ethiopia.

The meta-analysis in this review revealed an overall pooled infestation rate of ixodid tick infestations of 85.68% (95% CI: 78.29-93.06). Regional analysis revealed that the greatest percentage of infestations was in Tigray (96.6%), Dire Dawa (94.0%) and Afar (90.2%), whereas the lowest percentage of infestations was recorded in the Amhara region (55.2%). The taxonomic identification revealed the presence of three tick genera, specifically Rhipicephalus (Boophilus), Amblyomma, and Hyalomma. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) was the most dominant genus, with an infestation rate of 56.44%, whereas Amblyomma was the least common (14.65%).

The current study revealed that infestations decreased from 90.18% from 2013 to 2019 to 82.03% from 2020 to 2025. In Ethiopia, ixodid ticks represent a major category of ectoparasites that persistently compromise the health and economic productivity of camel populations. Tick control actions must target the most common genera and the most affected geographic regions. Future research should shift toward investigating breed-specific susceptibility and the development of sustainable, integrated control strategies.