INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL MEDICINE (ISSN:2517-7362)

A study on haematological parameters of tick infested bunaji cattle was carried out between the months of June to July in Lafia, North Central Nigeria to determine the level of tick infestation contributed by various tick species as well as their effects on haematological parameters of the animals using standard parasitological and haematological procedures. A total number of 110 bunaji cattle were sampled from three different locations. Eighty five (73.27%) of the animals were infested with various species of ticks (Ablyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Boophilus decoloratus and Hyalomma truncatus). the result based on the type of cattle revealed that cows had the highest infestation (26.36%) but however, bulls, heifers, and bull calves had 24.55%, 2.00 and 6.36% respectively. Ablyomma variegatum accounted for a significantly (P<0.05) higher infestation rate 38.18 .whereas, 16.36, 11.82, 4.55% and 6.36 was seen on animals infested with Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Boophilus decoloratus, Hyalomma truncatus and mixed infestations respectively. A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between infested and non-infested animals on Packed cell volume (PCV), Monocyte and Eosinophil. In contrast, Haemoglobin, Neutrophil, Lymphocyte and Basophil were not significantly affected (P>0.05). Ablyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Hyalomma truncatus and Boophilus decoloratus are the most economical important tick species affecting Bunaji cattle. Moreover, haematological parameters of bunaji cattle are greatly affected by tick infestation. Routine evaluation of infestation level and management practice should be carried out by livestock farmers on their farm to reduce the level of ticks as well as their breeding places.

Nigeria’s livestock population was recently estimated at 34.5 million goats, 22.1 million sheep and 13.9 million cattle populations. Of the 13.9 million heads of cattle, about 11.5 million were kept in pastoral systems, while the remaining 2.4 million were kept in villages (RIM, 1992). According to Blench [1] Bunaji or White Fulani cattle is a white, black-eared and medium-horned breed, and is the most numerous and widespread of all Nigerian cattle breeds. The Nigerian National Livestock Resource Survey (NNLRS) estimated that they represent some 37% of the national herd. They are found from Lagos to Sokoto, Katsina and Kano States and spread across the Nigerian Middle Belt. The only areas from which they are significantly absent are Borno, where Rahaji and Wadara predominate, and in the south-east, where there are no resident zebu. The movement into the derived savannah and to the edge of the humid zone has largely been of Bunaji and pastoralists generally agree that they are superior to all other breeds of zebu in resisting disease. Despite the concentration of cattle population in the Northern region of Nigeria, cattle production and productivity has been hampered by low or poor husbandry practices, inadequate feed supply and disease constraints particularly ectoparasitic infestations, thereby limiting the protein supply in Nigerian diets [2]. Among the ectoparasitic infestations, ticks remain one of the most economically important parasites of cattle in tropical and subtropical countries [3]. Moreover, Opara and Ezeh posited that ticks are rank second to insects as vectors of transmissible diseases in man and animals. However, more than 80% of world cattle population is infested by ticks, which are known to transmit viral, bacterial and protozoan pathogens causing Tick Borne Diseases (TBD) such as hemorrhagic fever, cowdriosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, theileriosis and babesiosis [4]. Gwakisa et al. [5] opined that Ticks suck blood of their hosts resulting into severe anemia, loss of production, weakness and immunosuppression (as well as damages hides and skin leading to significant financial losses to livestock farmers.

Kaur et al. [6], Stipulated that a reduction in haematocrit and haematological values are reported by other researchers in infested cattle as compared to those calves which were free from tick infestation. An increase in number of eosinophils and lymphocytes in ticks infested cattle. However, a decrease in neutrophils and monocytes in tick-infested cattle was also reported. Moreover, Lower Hb, TEC and marked leucocytosis is due to anaemia because of the blood sucking ability of parasites and hemorrhage. Cattle farmers in Lafia can utilize information on the prevalence of ticks in cattle facilitates the development of sustainable control strategies to enable them reduce the burden of these parasites on their stock. Data on the prevalence and distribution of these parasites can be used for future research on development of drugs and other remedies to protect animals from ticks and tick borne diseases (TBDs). However, the objective of the study was to determine the incidence of Tick Infestation according to type, sex and age group of Bunaji cattle breeds, percentage of infestation contributed by different species of ticks recovered and to determine the haematological parameters of infested and non -infested animals.

Study area

The study was carried out in Lafia Local Government Area, the capital of Nasarawa State of Nigeria. Lafia is located at latitude 08^o 22N and longitudes 08^O 32E and at an altitude of about 181.33 meters above sea level. The vegetation cover of the area is guinea savannah, and is characterized by a mean annual rainfall of 1136 mm, almost all of which falls in the rainy season. The length of the rainy season is on the average 7 months (April–October). Mean minimum and maximum temperatures are 22.95⁰ C and 35.05⁰ C, respectively (NIMET, 2005).

Study location

Three districts (Shabu, Kwandere and Akurba,) in Lafia Local Government Area were used for the study. Cattle owners and their locations within the village areas were identified and for the study. Oral interview was conducted before the commencement of the study to acquaint the herdsmen with the study and for collection of samples, information on ages, number of herds and type of management systems.

Cattle sampling techniques

Bunaji cattle were randomly sampled from each of the herds for the study of tick infestation. The sample size depends on the population of the herd and a total number of 110 Cattle of both sexes were sampled from the three locations. Other information includes name of the herdsman, month of observation and age (estimated on the basis of the dentition score method developed for zebu cattle under a low plane of nutrition and on information provided by their owners. Once quantified, each animal’s age was recorded either as Young (0-3years), Adult (3-7years), or Old (above 7years). Sex, type and breed of cattle were also recorded.

Ticks collection and identification

Animals sampled were examined for the presence of ticks on their body. During sampling, thumb forcep was used to detach ticks from the body and also care was taking in other to avoid destruction of the vital parts. After collection, they were preserved in a bottle containing 70% ethanol. The identification of ticks for genera and species was carried out by methods described.

Blood sampling

A total number of 85 blood samples were collected from tick infested and 25 from non-infested Bunaji cattle. Two (2 ml) blood sample was taken through the jugular vein into properly labeled steriled bottle containing Ethylene Diamine tetra acetate (EDTA) and transported to specialist hospital for laboratory analysis. Packed cell volume (PCV) was determined using microhaematocrit centrifugation technique (MHCT) Blood was introduced into microhaematocrit tubes by capillary action and one end of each capillary tube was sealed with plasticin. The tubes were spun in a microhaematocrit centrifuge (Hawksley, England) at 12000 g for 5 min. PCV was measured with a hematocrit reader (Hawksley, England), and recorded appropriately. Total red blood cell counts (RBC) and total white blood cell counts (WBC) were determined by cyanmethaemoglobin and hemocytometer methods described by Coles [7].

Statistical analysis

Data collected for infestation based on type, sex and age of cattle were analyzed using Descriptive statistics (Frequency and Percentage) while chi-square test was used to analysed differences on percentage of infestation contributed by different tick species. Consequently, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analysed data on Haematological parameters of the infested and non-infested cattles. However, means obtained were separated using Duncan multiple range test (DMRT) using SPSS (version 20.0) software. Prevalence of tick infestation was estimated as p = d/n (%). Where; p = prevalence, d = number of individual cattle infested with ticks and n = number of individual cattle in the population at risk of infestation with ticks.

The results in Table 1 reveal the incidence of tick infestations according to type, sex, and age group of cattle in the study area. The results shows that 85(77.27%) are infested with ticks out of 110 animals that were examined during the study. The prevalence based on the class of cattle shows that cows, bulls, heifers and bull calves had 29(26.36%), 27(24.55%), 22(20.00%) and 7(6.36%) infestations respectively.

Additionally, higher number of infestations 51(46.36%) was recorded on females while the lowest 34(30.91%) was recorded on males.

Lastly, Age related incidence shows that adult animals are mostly infested while old animals are faced with least. Adults, young and old Bunaji cattle had 30.91%, 25.45% and 20.91% infestation rate respectively.

Percentage Distribution of Infestation Contributed by Different Species of Ticks Recovered from Bunaji Cattle Breeds.

Table (2) above shows the percentage different species of ticks recovered on Bunaji cattle breeds. The result shows that Ablyomma variegatum accounted for a significantly (P<0.05) higher infestation rate (38.1%) whereas, the least 4.55% was seen on animals infested with Hyalomma truncatus by different species of the ticks. The remaining incidence rate 16.36%, 11.82% and 6.36% was recorded on those attacked distribution of infestation contributed by with Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Boophilus decoloratus and mixed infestations respectively.

The result in Table 2 reveals the Haematological Parameters of tick infested and non-infested bunaji cattle. Packed cell volume (PCV), Monocyte and Eosinophil shows a significant (P<0.05) variation among the two categories. Whereas, No variation (P>0.05) was obtained for Haemoglobin, Neutrophil, Lymphocyte and Basophil. Tick infested cattle had a significantly (P>0.05) lower PCV value (28.33 ± 0.55) when compared to those without ticks (30.79 ± 0.50). Morever, Monocyte shows a significantly (P<0.05) higher value (1.25 ± 0.06) for infested animals than (0.63 ± 0.07) for not infested animals. The obtained values for Eisonophil for infested (2.70 ± 0.23) and non- infested (3.44 ± 0.25) are significantly different (P<0.05)

The prevalence of Tick infestations in cattle [8,9] have been document. The Incidence of Tick Infestation according to class, sex and age group of Bunaji cattle in Lafia, North Central Nigeria indicated that of the 110 animals examined, 85(77.27) were infested( Table 1). High infestation rate could be linked to the fact than in Nigeria, 90 % of the cattle population is kept under the traditional pastoral husbandry of Fulani herders and are faced with high risk of tick infestations. The prevalence was highest on cow while the least was recorded on bull calves (Table 1). This could be attributed to the variation in sampling population. The greater number of adults rather than younger animals sampled reflects the age composition of Fulani herds, with at least 60% of cattle being adult [10]. The lower tick burdens recorded in heifer and bull calves could be indeed due to a combination of factors, including some form of innate immunity of indigenous cattle that decreases with age [11], the persistent grooming of calves by their respective dams [12], and the smaller body surface of younger animals compared to adults. A possible reason could be attributed to larger body size that can accommodates and provide opportunities for the vector parasites to perch on the animals.

However, Female animals suffered higher rate of infestation when compared to males (Table 1). This is in agreement with the works of Asmaa et al. [13], Rony et al. [14] and Sarkar [15] where both reported a significantly higher prevalence of ectoparasitic infestations in female than the male cattle.

Lastly, older animals recorded the lowest rate of infestation when compared to young and adult bunaji cattle. This is in concordance with the works of Manan et al. [16], who found that resistance in the animals was building up as the animals grow up and the animals became more resistant and adoptable than in younger stage irrespective of the farm species. Additionally, Islam et al. [17] found that calves were 2.0 times more susceptible to tick infestation more than the adults and older animals. The resulting high infestation recorded in adult could be attributed to higher number of animal sampled in that category.

The identified species of Ablyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Sub genus-Boophilus decoloratus and Hyalomma spp in this study confirmed the importance of these genuses to cattle production (Table 2). The distribution of ticks within a specific habitat depends on several environmental and climatic factors such as annual rainfall, atmospheric temperature and relative humidity (RH), vegetation cover, altitude and host availability [18,19]. The significantly higher (P<0.05) infestation rate contributed by A. variegatum in this study confirmed the reported prevalent of A. variegatum upto >80% of all collected ticks parasitizing cattle in Nigeria. The incidence of mixed infestation recorded in this study is not in corcordance, Paul et al. [20] who reported a significantly (P<0.05) higher prevalence of mixed infestation with two or more species than single infection by Ixodide ticks in Zebu cattle. The incidence of Rhipicephalus recorded in this study, suggest that many of this species are of economic, medical, and veterinary importance because they are vectors of pathogens. The low incidence of Hyalomma truncatus in this study confirmed the statement of Marufu [21] who posited that Tick loads of Hyalomma species are significantly affected by rangeland, type, season, position and the interaction of rangeland type and season. 

The significant (P<0.05) variations observed in the mean PCV, Monocyte and Eisonophil values (Table 3) between bunaji cattle seen with ticks and those without ticks confirmed the importance of ticks in influencing haematological parameters of cattle in Nigeria. However, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in PCV between infested and non-infested cattle, and this could be attributed to the feeding of ticks on blood cells. Moreover, there might be reduced blood values in animals due to nutritional depression but a much greater effects is usually contributed by parasites such as ticks. Persistent loss of blood caused by permanent blood sucking ticks could play a role as well [22,23]. However, the values for neutrophil and Haemoglobin in this findings were in contrast with the findings of Maske [24] and Soulsby [25]. 

The incidence of tick infestation varies according to class, sex and age of cattle in the study area. Consequently, Ablyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Hyalomma truncatus and Boophilus decoloratus are economically important species of ticks affecting Bunaji cattle in North-central Nigeria. They plays an important role in bringing about variations in the haematological profiles of infested and non-infested animals. However, appropriate and effective prevention and control strategies as well as routine evaluation of infestation level and management practice should be carried out by livestock farmers on their farm to reduce the level of ticks. In addition, measures towards elimination of their breeding places can help to curtail the menace of tick infestations.

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