Ixodid ticks of traditionally managed cattle in central Nigeria: where Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus does not dare (yet?)

BACKGROUND: Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) undermine cattle fitness and productivity in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. The aim of this study was to document the composition of tick species, assessing the burden of infestation, in traditionally managed cattle in an area of central Nigeria where acaricides have not been used historically. METHODS: The study was carried out in September 2010 in 9 villages belonging to three neighbouring local government areas in Plateau State, Nigeria. In each village all visible adult ticks were collected from at least 15 cattle (mean number = 25). Collected ticks were preserved in 70% ethanol to be counted and morphologically identified to the species level. RESULTS: A total of 5011 ixodid ticks (1935 males and 3076 females) were collected from 228 cattle, comprising 14 calves, 33 juveniles, and 181 adults. Three tick genera (i.e., Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus, including the Boophilus sub-genus) and 11 species were identified. The most prevalent species was Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (41.4%), followed by Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (15.4%), Rhipicephalus guilhoni (12.0%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) geigyi (7.6%), Hyalomma truncatum (7.4%), Amblyomma variegatum (6.3%), Rhipicephalus simus Group (4.0%), Rhipicephalus turanicus (1.2%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (0.3%), Hyalomma rufipes (0.2%), and Rhipicephalus lunulatus (n = 1). Mean tick loads recorded were relatively high (22 ± 1.4), in spite of the practice of hand removal of ticks traditionally undertaken by the Fulani pastoralists in the area. Calves bore a significantly lower tick burden than adults (p = 0.004). Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was not found in the area, suggesting that the eastbound expansion of this tick species in West Africa, has not yet reached central Nigeria. CONCLUSIONS: This study ascertained the presence of a broad variety of cattle tick species, most of which are of veterinary importance. The presence of each tick species is correlated with the potential occurrence of tick-borne pathogens and suggestions for tick control in the area are considered. Results should assist the diagnosis of related TBDs in cattle as well as the strategic planning of cost-effective tick control

Survey of Animal Trypanosomosis and Biting Flies in Parts of Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria

A survey of tsetse and animal trypanosomosis was carried out in five settlements: Lim, Birim, Yuli, Kungibar and Yankari game reserve of Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi state, Nigeria. A total of 448 blood samples were collected between February and March, 2008. Blood samples were examined for trypanosomes using Giemsa stained thick and thin smear method and the Haematocrit Centrifugation Techique (HCT). The results obtained showed that the overall prevalence of trypanosomosis and other haemoparasites in the study area was 51%. Trypanosoma vivax was the most predominant trypanosome species found (39.1%) and is statistically significant in male than in female (p< 0.05). Vector investigation in the study areas showed, that a total of 77 biting flies were caught using Biconical and Nitse traps.Glossina tachinoides was the most abundant vector with a catch of 60(78.8%);Glossina palpalis 10(13.0%); Tabanids 3(4.0%); Stomoxys 3(4.0%) and Chrysop 1(1.0%).The parasites have no significant difference (p>0.05) between different  settlements where samples were collected. The public health importance of this survey is discussed. Keywords: Tsetse, Trypanosomosis, Game reserve, Public health importance

ANTI-TRYPANOSOMAL POTENTIAL OF MOMORDICA BALSAMINA LINN FRUIT PULP EXTRACT AGAINST TRYPANOSOMA BRUCEI BRUCEI INFECTION

The search for new trypanocides has not been keenly pursued due to high cost of design and development with no promise of financial returns. Momordica balsamina fruit pulp extract was screened for antitrypanosomal activity in experimental T. brucei brucei infection in rabbits. The extract was administered prior to parasite inoculation, 24 hours post parasite inoculation and on establishment of infection. The treatment was by oral administration of the extract at 500mg/kg body weight for 14 consecutive days. Parasitaemia was monitored daily while body weight and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined before commencement of studies and subsequently at weekly intervals for 28 days. The result showed a significant (

Tick-borne pathogens of zoonotic and veterinary importance in Nigerian cattle

Additional file 1: Multiple infections by tick-borne pathogens according to age classes and overall number of animals. (PDF 19 kb)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 (by Theileria mutans and Theileria 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 and Rickettsia 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 by Theileria 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 %) and Ehrlichia 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 for T. mutans, T. velifera, A. marginale, T. taurotragi and Anaplasma sp. (Omatjenne), suggests they may be endemically established in Nigeria, whereas the lower prevalence recorded for other microorganisms (i.e. A. centrale and B. bovis) highlights a less stable epidemiological scenario, requiring further investigations.The UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) under the ‘Combating Infectious Diseases in Livestock for International Development’ (CIDLID) scheme, and the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007–2013) under grant agreement n° 221948, Integrated Control of Neglected Zoonoses (ICONZ).http://www.parasitesandvectors.comam2016Veterinary Tropical Disease

Canine and ovine tick-borne pathogens in camels, Nigeria

AbstractIn April 2008, whole blood samples were collected from 36 dromedary camels in Sokoto, North-western Nigeria. Following PCR and reverse line blotting, twenty-two samples (61%) resulted positive for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. and three (8%) for Theileria/Babesia spp., with three (8%) cases of co-infections being found. Both sequence and BLAST analyses identified Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp. and Theileria/Babesia spp. positive cases as Anaplasma platys and Theileria ovis, respectively.This is the first report of the detection of A. platys and T. ovis in camels from sub-Saharan Africa. The epidemiological relevance of this finding is enhanced by the close living of these animals with both dogs and small ruminants. The high prevalence detected for A. platys suggests a possible role of camels as carriers of this infection

Preliminary evaluation for anti-trypanosomal activity of aqueous stem bark extract of Crossopteryx febrifuga in Trypanosoma congolense - infected rats

Aqueous stem bark extract of Crossopteryx febrifuga was evaluated for anti-trypanosomal activity in rats. Twenty four rats divided into four groups (A, B, C, D) of six animals per group were used. Infection with T. congolense was established after a pre-latent periods of 10 and 11 days for curative (Group B) and prophylaxis (Group A) studies respectively. Both Group A and Group B were treated orally with 1500mg/kg of the crude extract for five consecutive days. Parasitemia, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cells (RBC) counts and Differential leucocytes (WBC) counts were monitored throughout the studies. Phytochemical analysis of the crude aqueous extract was also carried out. Anaemia developed with establishment of infection in all the groups. Analysis of PCV, RBC and Differential WBC counts showed no significant difference (P>0.05) between treated and untreated animals. The crude extract contains saponins, tannins, reducing sugars, volatile oils and alkaloids as phytochemicals. It showed no significant prophylaxis or curative against T. congolense infection in rats as traditionally claimed. Although the plant may be used locally in combination with other plants or ingredients or even other orthodox drugs, further work is needed to fully assess the claim of the use of Crossopteryx febrifuga stem bark in the management or treatment of animal trypanosomiasis. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioresources Vol. 2(2) 2005: 111-11

Antitrypanosomal and haematological effects of selected Nigerian medicinal plants in Wistar rats

Studies to determine the effect of some Nigerian Medicinal plants on some haematological parameters of rats infected with T. b. brucei was carried out. The plants investigated and the dose levels per kilogram body weights used are fresh Momordica balsamina pulp (150mg); fresh Aloe vera pulp (1ml); aqueous extracts of Securidaca longipenduculata root and root bark (100mg) and Annona senegalensis leaves (200mg). All the animals were treated orally for seven consecutive days after establishment of parasitaemia. Parasitaemia and some haematological parameters were determined before and after treatment as well as pathochemical composition of each plant. The result showed a significant (P 0.05) in groups treated with M. balsamina and S. longipenduculata (root bark) but increased in other treated and positive control groups. Similarly, no significant changes (P > 0.05) in neutrophils was observed in M. balsamina and S. longipenduculata (root) treated animals but an increase was seen in S. longipenduculata (root bark), A. vera and infected on treated groups. Treatment with M. balsamina, A. vera and S. longipenduculata (root and root bark) prolonged the lives of animals by 4, 1, 3 and 4 days respectively when compared with the positive control. Differences in the composition of various phytochemical of these plants could be responsible for the varied antitrypanosomal activities. Consequently, these plants have great potential which need to be exploited fully in the management of African trypanosomiasis. Keywords: medicinal plants, haematological parameters, T.b. brucei Biokemistri Vol. 17(2) 2005: 95-9

Additional file 1: of Tick-borne pathogens of zoonotic and veterinary importance in Nigerian cattle

Multiple infections by tick-borne pathogens according to age classes and overall number of animals. (PDF 19 kb