Tick infestation and haematocrit alteration of cattle in Boklé-Garoua (Northern Cameroon)

Abstract

Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs) represent a scourge to livestock health and production in Cameroon. Information on their ecology and impact on cattle in the North region of Cameroon which is an important livestock zone of Cameroon is scanty, reason why a cross sectional study in the rainy season was conducted from May to September 2015 in the locality of Boklé-Garoua in the North region of Cameroon with the aim of identifying the different species of ticks and relate tick load with haematocrit. Ticks were collected once a week from six adult cattle and identified using standard keys. In total, 404 ticks were collected and classified under Amblyomma variegatum, Hyalomma truncatum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus. Hyalomma truncatum (50%) was the most frequent species, whileRhipicephalus sanguineus(1%)was the least. There was a negative and statistically non-significant(r=-0.170, p>0.05)correlation in mean tick load and haematocrit of cattle.The results of this study indicate the occurrence of four species of ticks and their negative but non-significant effect on haematocrit of cattle from the north region of Cameroon. Studies on the diseases transmitted by these vectors are underway and will indicate the impact and need for their control in Cameroon.