Tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats and their related vectors in Iran

Haemoparasitic diseases have long been considered as a major problem to efficient sheep and goats production in Iran. Theileriosis due to Theileria hirci and babesiosis due to Babesia ovis and B. motasi are the most pathogenic protozoa. B. crassa, Anaplasma ovis and Eperythrozoon ovis are usually non-pathogenic and do not cause any apparent problem. The major tick genera found on sheep and goats are Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes and rarely Dermacentor distributed in all part of Iran. Our studies indicate that only Hyalomma ticks transmit Theileria species but the others transmit Babesia, Anaplasma and Eperythrozoon. The two latter ones can also be transmitted through some biting flies and mechanical means. Control methods presently available in Iran rely almost entirely on: (i) vaccination of sheep and goats with cell culture vaccine for theileriosis; (ii) chemotherapeutic treatment for babesiosis and anaplasmosis; (iii) acaricides for control of tick vectors.