Haemoparasite fauna of domestic animals in plateau state, north central Nigeria

Abstract

Haemoparasitism remains persisting as the major challenge to animal health and production causing the destruction of red blood cells resulting in anaemia, jaundice, anorexia, emaciation, reduced productivity, infertility and even death. This study was conducted to investigate and provide information on the diversity of haemoparasites species affecting animals in Plateau State, North-central Nigeria. Blood samples collected from 1,298 apparently healthy animals (501 cattle; 252 sheep; 393 goats; 129 dogs and 23 horses) were parasitologically screened for the presence of haemoparasites. Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis, Trypanosoma vivax, Anaplasma marginale, Theileria mutans and Theileria velifera were detected in cattle, with Babesia bigemina (75/501 (14.97%); 95% CI: 12.05 – 18.30) and Anaplasma marginale (27/501 (5.39%); 95% CI: 3.66 – 7.64) been the most prevalent. Anaplasma ovis was detected in both sheep and goats, although Babesia ovis and Babesia motasi were the most prevalent blood parasites affecting sheep and goats respectively. Two species were detected each in dogs and horses with Babesia canis and Theileria equi been more prevent in dogs and horses respectively. The result of this study shows that a variety of haemoparasites species are found to infect domestic animals in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. Considering the importance of domestic animals to national economy and the devastating effect of these haemoparasites, there is need for a radical approach in terms of appropriate and routine prophylactic treatments of animals, and regular vector (ticks and biting flies) control using efficacious acaricides and fly traps to arrest the menace.

Keywords: Blood parasites, Diversity, Plateau State, Prevalence