Issue: Vol. 3 No. 1 (2020): COVID-19 and Nigeria Scientists | Section: Original Article

Assessment of Haemoparasites of Cattle slaughtered in Jos South Abattoir, Plateau State, Nigeria

Authors

  • IO Okeke
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria


  • J Olufu
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria


  • IE Onah
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria


  • D Bako
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria


  • PM Wang
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria


  • JO Owobu
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria


  • AM Muhammad
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria


  • HI Kumkat
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria


  • PD Daboer
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria


  • SM John
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria


  • GB Waziri
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria


  • SD Gargadi
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria


  • Z Ango
    Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom-Jos, Nigeria



Abstract

Haemoparasites are considered as the most important constraints to the health and improved productivity of cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was aimed at determining their prevalence among cattle slaughtered at Jos South abattoir, Plateau state, Nigeria. A total of 200 blood samples were collected between April and May, 2018. Thin and thick blood films were made from the samples and stained with Giemsa and examined microscopically using X100 magnification. A total of 128(64%) cattle were positive for Babesia species. No other haemoparasite were detected. Blood sample of 190(95%) were collected from cattle that were 3 years and above and 10(5%) were from cattle below 3 years. Female and white Fulani cattle were 2 times (POR = 2.29; P < 0.01) and 3 times (POR = 3.19; p < 0.0001) respectively at the risk of a positive result of Babesia species infection, when compared to male cattle and Red Bororo by bivariate analysis. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of Babesia species with respect to age (p = 0.27) and source of cattle (p = 1.00, p =0.96 and p = 0.56) for animals from Plateau, Bauchi and Maiduguri respectively. This study showed a high prevalence of Babsia species infection amongst slaughtered cattle at Jos South abattoir. It confirms the presence of carrier populations of Babesia-infected cattle which both serve as a reservoir of infection for tickvectors, susceptible livestock and humans. Routine screening and treatment of animals to effectively reduce to the barest minimum the prevalence of Babesia species in the study areas is highly recommended.

Published: 2020-07-19

How to Cite

Okeke, I., Olufu, J., Onah, I., Bako, D., Wang, P., Owobu, J., Muhammad, A., Kumkat, H., Daboer, P., John, S., Waziri, G., Gargadi, S., & Ango, Z. (2020). Assessment of Haemoparasites of Cattle slaughtered in Jos South Abattoir, Plateau State, Nigeria. NIGERIAN ANNALS OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES, 3(1), 103–107.