Piroplasm infestations in cattle: Exploring tick control using Chrysanthemum extract and neem oil emulsion Authors and affiliations

Salwa Abd-Elrahman ¹ Fatma Atea Kamal ¹ Sara Salah Abdel-Hakeem ^2* Abeer K. Khedr ³ Shaymaa Mohamed ^4,5 Ahmed A. Abdelgaber ⁶ Madeha Darwish ⁷ Ahmed M. Al-Hakami ⁸ Abdulah J. Alqahtani ⁸ ahmed kamal Dyab ¹

• ¹ Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Asyut, Egypt
• ² Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
• ³ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, The New Valley University, Al-Kharga, Al Wadi Al Jadid, Egypt
• ⁴ Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Asyut, Asyut, Egypt
• ⁵ Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taiba University, Medina, Saudi Arabia
• ⁶ Department of Aquatic Animals Medicine and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Asyut, Egypt
• ⁷ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Asyut, Egypt
• ⁸ Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia

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).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. 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 hours. 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 doseand 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. 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.