Haematological status and blood parasite infection in slaughtered cattle in abattoirs in Minna, Niger State

Abstract

Blood parasites of animals reduce livestock productivity and could lead to high mortality. This study aims at determining the haematological status and prevalence of blood parasites in cattle slaughtered in abattoirs in Minna. Blood samples were obtained from 300 apparently healthy cattle from both male and female cattle from three abattoirs (Taye, Chanchaga and Maikunkele), using standard field and laboratory techniques. The blood samples were examined for blood parasites by making thin blood smear and staining with Giemsa stain. . Three genera of blood parasites Trypanosoma species Babesia species and Anaplasma species were observed. An overall parasitaemia of 47.67% accounting for 143 positive cattle out of 300 cattle examined. Abattoir-specific prevalence indicated 16.33%, 16.00% and 15.33% for Taye, Maikunkele and Chanchaga abattoirs respectively. The three species of parasites identified showed prevalence of 26.67%, 13.67% and 3.67% for Trypanosoma brucei, Babesia bovis and Anaplasma marginale respectively. Sex-related parasitaemia revealed that females had higher prevalence 91(33.55%) than males 51(23.11%) which was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The haematological parameters showed anaemia with significant decreases in the female RBC (3.00 ⁺/_- 0.69), PCV (14.20 ⁺/_- 3.85) and Hb (7.38 ⁺/_- 2.44) compared to male RBC (4.69 ⁺/_- 1.23), PCV (25.80⁺/_- 4.15) and Hb (12.13 ⁺/_- 5.23) respectively which is statistically significant (p<0.05)), While there was a record of significant increase in the WBC (18.04 ⁺/_- 1.78) of the female cattle compared with their male WBC (11.19 ⁺/_- 3.42) counterpart. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between MCV, MCH and MCHC of the two sexes. This study provides information on the blood parasites status of cattle which calls for more control and preventive measures against the diseases in Minna metropolis.

Keywords: Blood; parasites; trypanosomes; Babesia; Anaplasma; anaemia.