Survey of ticks of domestic dogs and cattle in three Caribbean islands.

Ticks and the pathogens they transmit can cause high morbidity and mortality in domestic animals. As part of a larger study to determine the tick-borne pathogens infesting domestic animals and wildlife, the aim of this study was to survey the tick species infesting the canine and cattle populations in Trinidad, Tobago and St. Lucia. A total of 1,990 ticks were collected off 179 dogs in Trinidad (n = 163) and Tobago (n = 16) between June 2016 and 2018. Ticks were also collected from cattle throughout Trinidad (n = 1,098), Tobago (n = 306) and St. Lucia (n = 176). Collected ticks were morphologically identified using standard taxonomic keys. Tick-infested dogs were characterized as pets (n = 161) or hunting dogs (n = 18). Only two tick species, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (1,926; 96.8%) and Amblyomma ovale (64; 3.2%), were found on the dogs. A total of 169 (94.4%) dogs and 10 (5.6%) dogs were infested with R. sanguineus and A. ovale, respectively. Three dogs (1.7%) were infested with both tick species. Hunting dogs or those closely associated with them were infested with A. ovale. Rhipicephalus sanguineus was widely distributed throughout both islands, whereas A. ovale was restricted to small foci in three rural settlements in both Trinidad (n = 2) and Tobago (n = 1). Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (n = 1,404) was the only tick species found in cattle from Trinidad (n = 62) and Tobago (n = 20), whilst R. B. microplus (n = 171) and Amblyomma variegatum (n = 5) were found infesting 14 and two heads of cattle, respectively, in St. Lucia. These preliminary findings will aid in determining whether there are links between ticks and tick-borne pathogens associated with domestic, wildlife species and humans and give further insight into the potential movement of ticks and their pathogens between the human, animal and tropical forest interface.

Prevalence of and examination of exposure factors for Salmonella on commercial egg-laying farms in Barbados.

During January-March 2009, an outbreak of Salmonella was diagnosed in four commercial egg-laying farms in Barbados. During the outbreak, 511 layers died while 3257 layers were voluntarily culled from one affected farm. Salmonella ser Enteritidis was identified in avian tissues (ovaries, liver, and uterus), and egg samples submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, and Water Resource Management (MAFFW) Veterinary Services (VS) Laboratory by managers of the affected farms. As a result of this outbreak, MAFFW VS conducted a survey to investigate the prevalence of Salmonella on commercial egg-laying farms in Barbados. In addition, the relationships between farm-level exposure factors and diagnosis of Salmonella were examined. This paper describes the results of this survey. Nineteen of 26 farms (73%; 95% CI=56-90%) were classified as positive for Salmonella. The odds of testing positive for Salmonella were 10 times higher in large farms, compared to small farms (OR=10.80; 95% CI=1.01, 115.10; p=0.04). More small farms (8/11) cleaned and disinfected poultry facilities quarterly or more often than large farms did (1/10) (p<0.01). Prevalence of Salmonella in commercial egg-laying farms in Barbados is high. Salmonella ser Enteritidis was the most common serotype identified in study farms, and this is a public health issue of concern. This is the first prevalence survey of Salmonella in egg-laying farms in Barbados. Study results can be used as a baseline for future control programmes aimed at reducing the prevalence of Salmonella in egg-laying farms in the country.