Prevalence and Hematological Effects of Haemoprotozoa among Slaughtered Cattle and Camels in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence and significance of haemoparasites among domestic livestock, cattle, and camels are well documented in Northeastern Nigeria. However, the displacement of nomadic farming communities and changes in the local livestock demographic structure due to the protracted humanitarian crisis and the impact of climate change on vector biology may influence the current epidemiology of haemoprotozoa within the region. Therefore, this cross-sectional survey was conducted to appraise the current prevalence and  haematological effects of vectorborne haemoprotozoa in domestic animals. Blood samples were collected from cattle and camels brought for slaughter at the Maiduguri Metropolitan Abattoir from January to August 2023. Haemoprotozoa were detected in the blood by microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained thin blood films, and the blood packed cell volume (PCV) was determined using the Haematocrit Centrifugation Technique (HCT). Red Blood Cell (RBC) and White Blood Cell (WBC) counts were determined manually using a Neubauer haemocytometer, while the red blood cell indices were calculated using standard formulas. The results of the study revealed an overall prevalence of 8% (95% CI = 3.0-19.0) for camels and  56% (95% CI = 42.0-69.0) for cattle, with a statistically significant difference (χ² =2 26.47, p<0.001) between the species. There was also a significantly higher (χ²= 9.624, p = 0.004) prevalence of infection in adults than in the young cattle. A significantly higher (χ² = 7.782, p = 0.001) prevalence was also observed in females than in males. Babesia, Theileria, and Anaplasma species were detected in cattle with no adverse haematological effects. However, the presence of Anaplasma species in adult camels was associated with anaemia. This study revealed a significant decline in the prevalence and diversity of haemoprotozoa among camels in Maiduguri and its surroundings in the last decade, suggesting the potential impact of climate change and humanitarian crises in the region on vector and parasite epidemiology.