Occurrence of anaplasmosis among cattle in Makurdi metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease affecting cattle, poses significant economic challenges in Benue State, Nigeria. Despite its prevalence, detailed studies on its pathology and economic implications are limited. The study investigated the prevalence and seasonal occurrence of anaplasmosis in cattle, along with its distribution across different age classes and sexes. Blood samples were collected over a three-month period covering both dry and wet seasons. Samples were obtained from 432 cattle via jugular vein puncture and processed using the thin blood film method. Microscopic examination was conducted to detect tick-borne hemoparasites. Statistical analysis, employing the chi-square test, was performed to evaluate differences within categorical variables. Of the 432 cattle examined, 31.0% were males and 69.0% females. Female cattle exhibited a higher overall prevalence of infection (68.1%) compared to males (31.9%). A prevalence of 58.7% was recorded for the wet season compared to the dry season (41.3%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Adult cattle had the highest prevalence of anaplasmosis (71.0%), followed by juveniles (14.6%) and calves (14.1%). Among males, adult cattle had the highest infection rate (28.3%), while among females, adult females had the highest prevalence (71.7%), with statistical significance at P < 0.05 compared to other age classes and sexes. The findings provide valuable insights into the epidemiology of anaplasmosis in cattle and underscore the importance of considering location, season, age class, and sex in disease management and control strategies.