Piroplasm infestations in cattle: exploring tick control using Chrysanthemum extract and neem oil emulsion

Salwa Mahmoud Abd-Elrahman; Fatma Atea Kamel; Sara Salah Abdel-Hakeem; Abeer A Khedr; Shaymaa M Mohamed; Ahmed A Abdelgaber; Madeha Darwish; Ahmed M Al-Hakami; Abdulah J Alqahtani; Ahmed Kamal Dyab

doi:10.3389/fvets.2025.1543162

Piroplasm infestations in cattle: exploring tick control using Chrysanthemum extract and neem oil emulsion

Front Vet Sci. 2025 Mar 31:12:1543162. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1543162. eCollection 2025.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
² Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
³ Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom.
⁴ Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, El-Khargah, Egypt.
⁵ Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
⁶ Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia.
⁷ Department of Animal, Poultry, and Aquatic Life Behavior and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
⁸ Department of Animal and Poultry Behavior and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
⁹ Department of Clinical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
¹⁰ Department of Microbiology and Clinical Parasitology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
¹¹ Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
¹² Department of Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Badr University in Assiut, Assiut, Egypt.

Abstract

Introduction: Tick-borne diseases represent a major threat to both animal and human health globally. This study explores the prevalence of tick infestation and associated piroplasm infections specifically Theileria and Babesia species in cattle, in addition to evaluating the acaricidal effectiveness of Chrysanthemum extract (Dendranthema grandiflora) and neem oil emulsion (Azadirachta indica).

Methods: Among 130 cattle examined, 61 were infested with ticks and subsequently screened for piroplasm infections. Molecular analysis identified infections caused by Theileria annulata and Babesia bigemina.

Results: A strong association was found between tick infestation and Babesia species, while T. annulata infection showed a slight correlation. Hemolymph examination confirmed the critical role of ticks in the life cycle of piroplasm infection. Chrysanthemum extract and neem oil were tested for their acaricidal properties against adult ticks (Rhipicephalus annulatus). Chrysanthemum extract (0.5 mg/mL) caused tick mortality within 24 h. However, neem oil induced rapid and significant tick mortality at (20 mg/L) and (15 mg/L), achieving 100% mortality within the same time frame. Both treatments demonstrated high effectiveness, with results indicating strong dose-and time-dependent effects compared to controls. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed extensive morphological damage to treated ticks. This damage included destruction of the hypostome, loss of surface striations, wrinkling with pore formation, and cracking following exposure to neem oil and Chrysanthemum extract.

Discussion: These findings highlight the potential of D. grandiflora extract and neem oil emulsion as effective natural acaricides for controlling tick infestations and reducing tick-borne diseases.

Keywords: Babesia bigemina; Rhipicephalus annulatus; Theileria annulata; acaricides; hemolymph; scanning electron microscope.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies at King Khalid University, KSA, for funding this work through Small Research Group under Grant Number (RGP1/343/45). Small Research Group, the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies.