This study was conducted to investigate the
prevalence of blood protozoa infecting cattle, beside an invitro study of the efficacy of some common used acaricides i.e
(Chlorprifos, Deltamethrin and Ivermectin) against
Rhipicephalus annulatus tick. Blood and tick samples were
collected from 240 cattle, in addition to hemolymph smears
from ticks were examined microscopically by using Giemsa's
stained blood smear method. The study revealed that the
overall prevalence of blood protozoa was 52%. Theileria
infection was the highest with rate of 44.58%, while, Babesia
infection was 2.5%, and Anaplasma infection was 2.9%.
Blood protozoa infection was lower in young cattle, with
41.67% in calves and 55.2% in adult cattle. Blood protozoa
infection was higher in females (54.8%) than males (49.5%),
however the mixed infection was found to be higher in males.
Theileria spp. infection was the greatest among tick-borne
parasites. The autumn season had the highest infection rate
(21%), while the spring season had the lowest prevalence
(15%). The highest tick's infestation rate was recorded in
December (30%), and the lowest was in March (5%). The tick
microscopically identified indicates only the presence of
Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks. The microscopic examination
of tick hemolymph revealed the presence of piroplasmic
developmental stages in 37.2% of examined tick samples. The
in-vitro results showed that chlorprifos had the highest
efficacy of the tested acaricides, but deltamethrin and
ivermectin demonstrated low efficacy. In conclusion, blood
protozoa are still a threat on cattle in the study area and high
restriction in using of deltamethrin and ivermectin is
recommended due to low efficacy.