Molecular detection of Theileria annulata, Theileria mutans and Theileria velifera but no evidence of Theileria parva infected or vaccinated cattle in Nigeria despite extensive transboundary migrations.

The extensive livestock management system predominant in Nigeria necessitates active disease surveillance for the early detection and prompt control of transboundary animal diseases. Theileriae are obligate intracellular protozoa which infect both wild and domestic bovidae throughout much of the world causing East Coast Fever (Theileria parva), Tropical or Mediterranean theileriosis (Theileria annulata) or benign theileriosis (Theileria mutans; Theileria velifera). This study aimed to detect and characterize Theileria spp. infecting cattle in Nigeria using conventional PCR and sequencing approach. Five hundred and twenty-two DNA samples obtained from different cattle blood samples were subjected to PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene of piroplasmida and specifically, the p104 kDa and Tp1 genes for the evidence of infection or vaccination respectively, with T. parva. A total of 269 out of 522 (51.5%) of the cattle tested PCR- positive for DNA of piroplasmida. Nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that the cattle were infected with T. annulata, T. mutans and T. velifera. Piroplasmida DNA was associated with sex (ꭓ2 = 7.2; p = 0.007), breed (ꭓ2 = 115; p = 0.000002) of animals and the state where the samples were collected (ꭓ2 = 78.8; p = 0.000002). None of the samples tested positive for T. parva DNA or showed evidence of vaccination (Tp1 gene). This is the first report on the molecular detection and characterization of T. annulata in the blood of cattle from Nigeria. Continuous surveillance of Nigerian cattle for East Coast Fever (ECF) is encouraged considering the recent report of the disease in cattle in the neighboring country, Cameroon, where unregulated transboundary cattle movement into Nigeria has been observed.

Mycoplasma wenyonii and Candidatus Mycoplasma Haemobos in Pastoralists Cattle in Nigeria.

PURPOSE: The extensive migration practiced by pastoralists cattle exposes them to a variety of pathogens and vectors which may sometimes lead to severe disease outcomes. Moreover, the synergistic effect of multiple parasitism on the productivity of livestock has been well recognized. This is particularly true where the livestock production system predisposes the animals to constant and heavy infestation with arthropod vectors. METHODS: The presences, prevalence and risk factors for hemotropic Mycoplasma (hemoplasma) infection in cattle in Nigeria was investigated using a PCR and sequencing approach. DNA, extracted from 566 cattle blood samples, collected from 10 states from the three agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Nigeria, from April 2021 to March 2022, were screened for the presences of hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. DNA. RESULTS: The DNA of hemoplasmas was detected in 48 out of the 566 (8.5%) samples, 12 (25%) of them were identified as Mycoplasma wenyonii and 19 (38.6%) as 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos'. Coinfection with both species was detected in 17 (35.4%) of the samples. High prevalence and risk of hemoplasmas infection was associated with sex of the cattle (bulls were more affected; p = 0.005) and the packed cell volume (p = 0.009), but not with the age (p = 0.08), breed (p = 0.22), body condition (p = 0.052), source of the samples (p = 0.45) or the AEZs (0.59). This is the first nationwide survey of hemotropic mycoplasmas in cattle in Nigeria using this molecular approach. CONCLUSION: Further studies to determine the veterinary and public health significance of these pathogens, which were previously associated with varying degrees of clinical signs and production losses, are recommended in Nigerian cattle.

Nucleotide sequence types (ntSTs) of Anaplasma marginale in cattle in Nigeria based on the major surface protein 5 (msp5) gene.

Bovine anaplasmosis caused by Anaplasma marginale is an important endemic disease that exerts negative impact on livestock production with huge socioeconomic consequences in most developing countries. Genetic studies have reported the existence of diverse ntSTs of A. marginale with varying pathogenicity in different countries. Continuous studies to obtain accurate information on disease etiologies is desirable for the formulation of cost-effective control measures. To this end, 582 blood samples from cattle were collected from 10 out of the 36 States of Nigeria from April 2021 to March 2022 and analyzed based on the major surface protein 5 (msp5) gene to determine the ntSTs of A. marginale in Nigeria. In all, 38 out of the 582 samples (6.5%) from cattle in the different Agro-ecological Zones (AEZs) of Nigeria were positive. The Nigerian A. marginale nucleotide sequences were 96.7 to 100% identical to sequences from other countries and were placed in distinct clusters with other A. marginale sequences deposited in GenBank. Network analysis revealed three ntSTs (#2, #4 & #8) of A. marginale from Nigeria with a nucleotide sequence type diversity (Hd) of 0.8, nucleotide diversity (Pi) of 0.015 and average number of nucleotide differences (k) of 7.09. Two different amino acid substitution sites were found in Nigerian and worldwide sequences at positions 148 and 160. This is the first nationwide report on the ntST diversity and genetic characterization of A. marginale in cattle in Nigeria based on the msp5 gene. Bovine anaplasmosis is widespread in Nigeria and deserves further attention.