Epidemiology of Piroplasm among Cattle of Ndé and Noun Divisions, West Region of Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study

Eteme Enama Serge^1, , Makaila Ahmat Mahamat¹, Ambada Ndzengue Georgia Elna¹, Lontsi-Demano Michel², Mbaga Donatien Serge³, Houmsou Robert Soumay⁴ and Njan Nlôga Alexandre Michel⁵

¹Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

²Department of Animal Biology, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

³Department of Microbiology, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

⁴Department of Biological Sciences, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

⁵Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon

Cite this paper:
Eteme Enama Serge, Makaila Ahmat Mahamat, Ambada Ndzengue Georgia Elna, Lontsi-Demano Michel, Mbaga Donatien Serge, Houmsou Robert Soumay and Njan Nlôga Alexandre Michel. Epidemiology of Piroplasm among Cattle of Ndé and Noun Divisions, West Region of Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study. American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease. 2024; 12(2):14-22. doi: 10.12691/ajeid-12-2-1

Abstract

Context: In Cameroon, piroplasm infections have been reported among cattle, causing significant economic losses in the livestock industry. However, specific information about the epidemiology of piroplasm among cattle in Nde and Noun Divisions are limited. Aims: Highlight the prevalence of Piroplasm and the relationship between the blood density of Piroplasm and anaemia among cattle populations of Nde and Noun Divisions in the West region of Cameroon. Settings and Design: The present study was conducted during the rainy season from March to June 2022. Methods and Material: Blood samples from 532 cattle in Nde and Noun Divisions, located in the West region of Cameroon were collected in Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic acid (EDTA) tubes. The piroplasm parasites were identified at the laboratory of vector transmitted diseases of the applied biology and ecology research unit of the University of Dschang, using the standard method. Statistical analysis used: Statistical analysis was performed using the software R version 4.0.3. p values less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 532 cattle were sampled in Nde and Noun Divisions, with 354 (66.54%) being adults, 97 (18.23%) being juveniles, and 81 (15.23%) being calves. Among the sampled cattle, 31.39% were males and 68.61% were females. The prevalences of Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, and Theileria spp were recorded as 239 out of 532 (44.92%), 105 out of 532 (19.74%), and 344 out of 532 (64.6%) respectively. There was no relationship between the density of tick-borne Piroplasm and anaemia observed in cattle of Nde and Noun Divisions (P>0.05). Conclusions: Our findings underscore the existence of tick-borne transmissions of Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, and Theileria spp. Although we found no relationship between the density of these three protozoan species and anemia, their effects are generally associated with increased morbidity and mortality in cattle. This emphasizes the need for authorities to impose stringent regulations aimed at preventing and controlling piroplasm and its tick vectors. These measures are crucial to ensure sustainable cattle production.

Keywords:
Piroplasm Babesia bovis Babesia bigemina Theileria spp

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Figures

References:

[1]	Adelabu OA, Iweriebor BC, Okoh AI, Obi LC. Genomic Profiling for Piroplasms in Feeding Ixodid Ticks in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland). 2020; 9 12.
[2]	Mans BJ, Pienaar R, Latif AA. A review of Theileria diagnostics and epidemiology. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife. 2015;4 1:104-18.
[3]	Chisu V, Serra E, Foxi C, Chessa G, Masala G. Molecular Investigation of Theileria and Babesia Species in Domestic Mammals from Sardinia, Italy. Veterinary sciences. 2023; 10 1.
[4]	Abd Ellah MR. Studying the correlations among hematological and serum biochemical constituents in cattle theileriosis. Journal of parasitic diseases : official organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology. 2015; 39 2: 134-9.
[5]	Mans BJ, Pienaar R, Christo Troskie P, Combrink MP. Investigation into limiting dilution and tick transmissibility phenotypes associated with attenuation of the S24 vaccine strain. Parasites & vectors. 2019; 12 1: 419.
[6]	Tyler L. Livestock production systems and livestock development in tropical Africa. Agricultural Systems. 1983; 12 3: 188-90.
[7]	Herrero M, Grace D, Njuki J, Johnson N, Enahoro D, Silvestri S, et al. The roles of livestock in developing countries. Animal. 2013; 7: 3-18.
[8]	MINEPIA. Annuaire statistique du sous-secteur de l’elevage, des pêches et de l’industrie animale. https://ins-camerouncm/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ANNUAIRE-STATISTIQUE-MINEPIA_07-06-22pdf. 2021.
[9]	MINEPIA: filieres elevage bovins. In: Minepia. https://www.minepia.cm/2023.
[10]	Lontsi-Demano M, Djikolbairangar J.E., Laroche M., Ngnindji-Youdje Y.C., Luogbou N.D.D., Abah S., et al. Tick-Borne Haemoparasites of Veterinary Importance in Cattle in Menoua Division, Western Highlands of Cameroon. 2021;9 4.
[11]	Théodore AA: Filière bovine en Afrique centrale: l’herbe plus verte en Inde, Argentine et au Brésil. In: Journal Intégration2022.
[12]	Abanda B, Paguem A, Abdoulmoumini M, Kingsley MT, Renz A, Eisenbarth A. Molecular identification and prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in zebu and taurine cattle in North Cameroon. Parasites & vectors. 2019; 12 1: 448.
[13]	Abaker IA, Salih DA, Haj LME, Ahmed RE, Osman MM, Ali AM. Prevalence of Theileria annulata in dairy cattle in Nyala, South Darfur State, Sudan. Veterinary world. 2017; 10 12: 1475-80.
[14]	Adjou Moumouni PF, Minoungou GL, Dovonou CE, Galon EM, Efstratiou A, Tumwebaze MA, et al. A Survey of Tick Infestation and Tick-Borne Piroplasm Infection of Cattle in Oudalan and Séno Provinces, Northern Burkina Faso. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland). 2021; 11 1.
[15]	Thompson AT, Garrett KB, Kirchgessner M, Ruder MG, Yabsley MJ. A survey of piroplasms in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the southeastern United States to determine their possible role as Theileria orientalis hosts. International journal for parasitology Parasites and wildlife. 2022; 18: 180-3.
[16]	Weerasooriya G, Sivakumar T, Lan DT, Long PT, Takemae H, Igarashi I, et al. Epidemiology of bovine hemoprotozoa parasites in cattle and water buffalo in Vietnam. The Journal of veterinary medical science. 2016; 78 8: 1361-7.
[17]	Yang L, Wang JH, Upadhyay A, Zhao JG, Huang LY, Liao CH, et al. Identification of Theileria spp. and investigation of hematological profiles of their infections in goats in Hainan Island, China. Parasite (Paris, France). 2022; 29: 13.
[18]	Ziam H, Kernif T, Saidani K, Kelanemer R, Hammaz Z, Geysen D. Bovine piroplasmosis-anaplasmosis and clinical signs of tropical theileriosis in the plains of Djurdjura (north Algeria). Veterinary medicine and science. 2020; 6 4: 720-9.
[19]	Silatsa BA, Simo G, Githaka N, Kamga R, Oumarou F, Keambou Tiambo C, et al. First detection of Theileria parva in cattle from Cameroon in the absence of the main tick vector Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Transboundary and emerging diseases. 2020;67 Suppl 1 Suppl 1: 68-78.
[20]	Silatsa BA, Simo G, Githaka N, Mwaura S, Kamga RM, Oumarou F, et al. A comprehensive survey of the prevalence and spatial distribution of ticks infesting cattle in different agro-ecological zones of Cameroon. Parasites & vectors. 2019; 12 1: 489.
[21]	Ayissi Ayissi T: Filière bovine en Afrique centrale: l’herbe plus verte en Inde, Argentine et au Brésil. In: Journal Intégration2022.
[22]	Abdoulay M, Jean B, Youchahou P. Dynamiques et entraves au développement du marché de bétail Ticket-Foumban dans l’Ouest du Cameroun. Vol. 2016; 3.
[23]	Larcombe SD, Capewell P, Jensen K, Weir W, Kinnaird J, Glass EJ, et al. Susceptibility to disease (tropical theileriosis) is associated with differential expression of host genes that possess motifs recognised by a pathogen DNA binding protein. PloS one. 2022; 17 1: e0262051.
[24]	Lontsi-Demano M, Djikolbairangar JE, Laroche M, Ngnindji-Youdje YC, Luogbou NDD, Abah S, et al. Tick-Borne Haemoparasites of Veterinary Importance in Cattle in Menoua Division, Western Highlands of Cameroon. Journal of Fisheries & Livestock Production. 2021;9 4.
[25]	Torell R, Bruce DB, Kvasnicka DB, Conley K, Research G. Methods of Determining Age of Cattle. 2003.
[26]	Karisch B. Estimating Cattle Age Using Dentition. 2022; 7.
[27]	Fleiss JL, Levin B, Paik MC. Statistical Methods for Rates and Proportions. John Wiley & Sons; 2013.
[28]	Woo PT. The haematocrit centrifuge technique for the diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis. Acta tropica. 1970;27 4:384-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4396363.
[29]	Cheesbrough M. District Laboratory Practice in Tropical Countries, Part 2. Cambridge University Press; 2005.
[30]	Kaufmann J. Parasitic infections of domestic animals: a diagnostic manual. Birkhäuser; 2013.
[31]	Boukar O, Fotso Kenmogne PR, Yaya M, Manjeli Y. Caractéristiques socio-économiques et techniques de l’élevage bovin à viande dans le Département du Noun, Région de l’Ouest-Cameroun. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 2015;27 6.
[32]	Poutougnigni Y. Dynamics and Constraints of Ticket-Foumban livestock market development in the West of Cameroon. 2018.
[33]	Ayalew W, Edward J, Rege O, Getahun E, Tibbo M, Mamo Y. Delivering systematic information on indigenous animal genetic resources—the development and prospects of DAGRIS. 2003.
[34]	Hayatou H, Meutchieye F, Amarir FE, Rhalem A, Bouslikhane M, Awah-Ndukum J. Prevalence of Tick Infestations and Tick-Borne Diseases in Cattle in Cameroon. OJAS. 2023;13 04:560-73.
[35]	Kuibagarov M, Makhamed R, Zhylkibayev A, Berdikulov M, Abdrakhmanov S, Kozhabayev M, et al. Theileria and Babesia infection in cattle - First molecular survey in Kazakhstan. Ticks and tick-borne diseases. 2023; 14 1: 102078.
[36]	Weny G, Okwee-Acai J, Okech SG, Tumwine G, Ndyanabo S, Abigaba S, et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Hemoparasites in Cattle and Goats at the Edge of Kibale National Park, Western Uganda. The Journal of parasitology. 2017; 103 1: 69-74.
[37]	Motta P, Porphyre T, Handel I, Hamman SM, Ngu Ngwa V, Tanya V, et al. Implications of the cattle trade network in Cameroon for regional disease prevention and control. Scientific reports. 2017; 7 1: 43932.
[38]	Ananfack GRK, Temgoua E, Tientcheu MLA. Farmers' local knowledge of soil fertility in bamboo plantations in the Western Highlands, Cameroon. Advances in Bamboo Science. 2023; 4: 100031.
[39]	Abdullah DA, Ali MS, Omer SG, Ola-Fadunsin SD, Ali FF, Gimba FI. Prevalence and climatic influence on hemoparasites of cattle and sheep in Mosul, Iraq. Journal of advanced veterinary and animal research. 2019; 6 4: 492-8.
[40]	Mamoudou A, Nguetoum N.c, P.A Z, Sevidzem S.l. Identification and Infestation of Ticks on Cattle in the Peri-Urban Area of Ngaoundere, Cameroon. J Vet Sci Med Diagn. 2016; 5 4.
[41]	Walker AR, Bouattour A. Ticks of Domestic Animals in Africa: a Guide to Identification of Species. Bioscience Reports, Edinburgh Scotland,UK. 2003.
[42]	Johnston LAY, Leatch G, Jones PN. The duration of latent infection and functional immunity in Droughtmaster and Hereford cattle following natural infection with Babesia argentina and Babesia bigemina. Australian Veterinary Journal. 1978;54 1:14-8.
[43]	Abdoulmoumini M, Cyril N, Lendzele S, Kingsley M, Njongui J, Pagnah Z. Bovine Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis in some Cattle Farms in the Vina Division. Int J Livest Res. 2017: 1.
[44]	Abanda B, Paguem A, Achukwi MD, Renz A, Eisenbarth A. Development of a Low-Density DNA Microarray for Detecting Tick-Borne Bacterial and Piroplasmid Pathogens in African Cattle. Tropical medicine and infectious disease. 2019; 4 2.
[45]	Bock R, Jackson L, de Vos A, Jorgensen W. Babesiosis of cattle. Parasitology. 2004; 129 Suppl:S247-69 .
[46]	Tawana M, Onyiche TE, Ramatla T, Mtshali S, Thekisoe O. Epidemiology of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Domestic Ruminants across Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region from 1980 until 2021: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland). 2022; 11 8.
[47]	Mohammed-Ahmed GM, Hassan SM, El Hussein AM, Salih DA. Molecular, serological and parasitological survey of Theileria annulata in North Kordofan State, Sudan. Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports. 2018; 13: 24-9.
[48]	Salih DA, El Hussein AM, Kyule MN, Zessin KH, Ahmed JS, Seitzer U. Determination of potential risk factors associated with Theileria annulata and Theileria parva infections of cattle in the Sudan. Parasitology research. 2007; 101 5: 1285-8.
[49]	Al-Hosary A, Ahmed L, Ahmed J, Nijhof A, Clausen P-H. Epidemiological study on tropical theileriosis (Theileria annulata infection) in the Egyptian Oases with special reference to the molecular characterization of Theileria spp. Ticks and tick-borne diseases. 2018; 9 6: 1489-93.
[50]	Tayebwa DS, Vudriko P, Tuvshintulga B, Guswanto A, Nugraha AB, Gantuya S, et al. Molecular epidemiology of Babesia species, Theileria parva, and Anaplasma marginale infecting cattle and the tick control malpractices in Central and Eastern Uganda. Ticks and tick-borne diseases. 2018; 9 6: 1475-83.
[51]	Gachohi J, Skilton R, Hansen F, Ngumi P, Kitala P. Epidemiology of East Coast fever (Theileria parva infection) in Kenya: past, present and the future. Parasites & vectors. 2012; 5 1: 194.
[52]	Lorusso V, Wijnveld M, Majekodunmi AO, Dongkum C, Fajinmi A, Dogo AG, et al. Tick-borne pathogens of zoonotic and veterinary importance in Nigerian cattle. Parasites & vectors. 2016; 9: 217.
[53]	Nyabongo L, Kanduma EG, Bishop RP, Machuka E, Njeri A, Bimenyimana AV, et al. Prevalence of tick-transmitted pathogens in cattle reveals that Theileria parva, Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale are endemic in Burundi. Parasites & vectors. 2021; 14 1: 6.