Tick-borne pathogens of zoonotic and veterinary importance in Nigerian cattle. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lorusso, Vincenzo; Wijnveld, Michiel; Majekodunmi, Ayodele; Dongkum, Charles; Fajinmi, Akinyemi; Dogo, Abraham; Thrusfield, Michael; Mugenyi, Albert; Vaumourin, Elise; Igweh, Augustine; Jongejan, Frans; Welburn, Susan; Picozzi, Kim
• Is Part Of: Parasites & vectors. Volume 9:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 13
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Cattle -- Nigeria -- Africa -- Tick-borne diseases -- Tick-borne pathogens -- Zoonoses -- Fulani; Parasitism -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Vector-pathogen relationships -- Periodicals; Animals as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.96
• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1504-7
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-3305

Abstract

Abstract Background Ticks and tick-borne diseases undermine cattle fitness and productivity in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. In this West African country, cattle are challenged by numerous tick species, especially during the wet season. Consequently, several TBDs are known to be endemic in Nigerian cattle, including anaplasmosis, babesiosis, cowdriosis and theilerioris (byTheileria mutans andTheileria velifera ). To date, all investigations on cattle TBDs in Nigeria have been based on cytological examinations and/or on serological methods. This study aimed to ascertain the occurrence of tick-borne pathogens of veterinary and zoonotic importance in cattle in Nigeria using molecular approaches. Methods In October 2008, 704 whole blood samples were collected from indigenous cattle in the Plateau State, Nigeria. Analysis for tick-borne pathogens was conducted by means of PCR-based reverse line blotting (RLB) and sequencing targeting a panel of five genera of microorganisms (i.e.Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia andRickettsia spp.). Results In total, 561/704 (82.6 %) animals were found infected, with 465 (69.6 %) of them being infected by two or more microorganisms, with up to 77 possible combinations of pathogens detected.Theileria mutans was the most prevalent microorganism (66.3 %), followed byTheileria velifera (52.4 %), Theileria taurotragi (39.5 %), Anaplasma marginale (39.1 %), Anaplasma sp. (Omatjenne) (34.7 %), Babesia bigemina (7.9 %), Anaplasma centrale (6.3 %), Anaplasma platys (3.9 %), Rickettsia massiliae (3.5 %), Babesia bovis (2.0 %) andEhrlichia ruminantium (1.1 %). Calves were found significantly less infected than juvenile and adult cattle. Conclusions This study provides updated, molecular-based information on cattle TBDs in Nigeria. The molecular approach employed allowed the diagnosis of numerous positive cases including carrier statuses, multiple infections and novel pathogen detections within the indigenous cattle population. Moreover, the RLB method here described enabled the detection of veterinary agents not only pertaining to bovine health, including also those of zoonotic importance. The high prevalence recorded forT. mutans, T. velifera, A. marginale, T. taurotragi andAnaplasma sp. (Omatjenne), suggests they may be endemically established in Nigeria, whereas the lower prevalence recorded for other microorganisms (i.e.A. centrale andB. bovis ) highlights a less stable epidemiological scenario, requiring further investigations.