A sero-epidemiological survey of blood parasites in cattle in the north-eastern Free State, South Africa.

M.S Mtshali,P.A Mbati,D.T De Waal

doi:10.4102/ojvr.v71i1.287

Abstract

A survey to determine the incidence of parasites in cattle (n = 386) was conducted in the north eastern Free State between August 1999 and July 2000. Giemsa-stained blood smears were negative for blood parasites. A total of 94% of the cattle were sero-positive for Babesia bigemina by indirect fluorescent antibody test while 87% were sero-positive for Anaplasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The observation of negative blood smears but high incidence of positive serological results for Anaplasma and Babesia for the same group of cattle indicates that this area is endemic for these diseases but with a stable disease situation. All the animals were sero-negative for B. bovis and this is probably because the tick vector (Boophilus microplus) which transmits the disease is not present in the Free State Province. Two tick species belonging to the family ixodidae were found on cattle, namely Boophilus decoloratus and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi. In the present study significant differences in seasonal burdens of B. decoloratus occurred, with the highest infestations recorded from February to June. The presence of R. evertsi evertsi throughout the year without any or with small fluctuations in winter months was observed, with a peak from February to May.

Highlights

Animal diseases in general and tick and tick borne diseases (TTBD) in particular are among the many factors which directly and indirectly hamper the growth of the livestock sector
Tick-borne diseases of major economic importance in southern Africa which affect cattle are heartwater caused by Ehrlichia ruminantium, babesiosis caused by Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis, anaplasmosis caused by Anaplasma marginale, and theileriosis caused by Theileria parva
Of much lesser importance in cattle are the generally non-pathogenic mild theilerioses caused by Theileria mutans, Theileria velifera and Theileria taurotragi, spirochaetosis caused by Borrelia theileria, benign babesiosis caused by Babesia occultans, and bovine ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia bovis (Horak 1982)

Summary

Introduction

Animal diseases in general and tick and tick borne diseases (TTBD) in particular are among the many factors which directly and indirectly hamper the growth of the livestock sector. Livestock is important because of the roles it play as a source of food, in generating employment, delivery of energy Tick-borne diseases of major economic importance in southern Africa which affect cattle are heartwater caused by Ehrlichia ruminantium, babesiosis caused by Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis, anaplasmosis caused by Anaplasma marginale, and theileriosis caused by Theileria parva. Of much lesser importance in cattle are the generally non-pathogenic mild theilerioses caused by Theileria mutans, Theileria velifera and Theileria taurotragi, spirochaetosis (borreliosis) caused by Borrelia theileria, benign babesiosis caused by Babesia occultans, and bovine ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia bovis (Horak 1982). Blood parasites in cattle in north-eastern Free State, South Africa ease problem. It is accepted that theileriosis caused by T. parva, dermatophilosis and heartwater are the major tick-borne or tick-associated diseases of grazing cattle. The complexity of determining the direct and indirect economic impact of tick-borne diseases and their control is reflected in the fact that only rough estimates are available for the cost of some of the components (De Castro 1997)

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Conclusion