International Journal of Scientific Research in Environmental Sciences, 2(7), pp.

244-249, 2014
Available online at http://www.ijsrpub.com/ijsres
ISSN: 2322-4983; 2014 IJSRPUB
http://dx.doi.org/10.12983/ijsres-2014-p0244-0249


244
Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence of Haemoparasites of Cattle from Three Abattoirs in Ibadan Metropolis,
Oyo State, Nigeria

Ugochukwu P. Okorafor
1
*, Sidney O. Nzeako
2


1
Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation, P. M. B. 5029, Ibadan, Oyo State, NIGERIA
2
University of Port-Harcourt, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, NIGERIA
*Corresponding Author: patsylverz@gmail.com, Phone No: +2348038229898

Received 05 May 2014; Accepted 21 June 2014

Abstract. The haemoparasitemia of cattle slaughtered in three abattoirs in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria were determined
between the months of March and May, 2013. Blood samples were obtained from 180 apparently healthy cattle from three
abattoirs (Bodija, Akinyele and Olorunsogo), using standard field and laboratory techniques. An overall parasitemia of 6.67%
accounting for 12 positive cattle out of 180 cattle examined was recorded. Abattoir-specific prevalence indicated 3.33%,
2.22% and 1.11% for Bodija, Akinyele and Olorunsogo abattoirs respectively. The three species of parasites identified showed
prevalences of 3.81%, 2.22% and 0.56% for Trypanosoma brucei, Babesia bigemina and Theileria parva respectively. Sex-
related parasitemia revealed that females had higher prevalence 8(4.44%) than males 4(2.22%) which was not statistically
significant (P>0.05). Breed-specific prevalence showed 2.78%, 2.22% and 1.67% for Sokoto Gudali, Red Bororo and White
Fulani respectively, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). This study provides information on the haemoparasitism
status of cattle that arrive for slaughter in Ibadan metropolis and calls for more control/preventive measures to eradicate
haemoparasites to enhance more wholesome beef for the general populace.

Keywords: Prevalence, haemoparasites, cattle, Abattoirs, Sex distribution, Breed distribution

1. INTRODUCTION

Haemoparasitic infections have a global distribution,
stretching from the polar circle to the equator. This is
due to the fact that their vectors; ticks and blood-
sucking flies, also have a global distribution. The
worldwide incidence of haemoparasitic infections in
cattle has been severally reported by different workers
(Laha et al., 1989; Luckins, 1992; Thach et al., 1996).
In Nigeria there are about 10-15 million cattle, 1.2
million of these are in Ibadan, South West, Nigeria
(NLS, 2009) and approximately half of these belong
to the communal and commercial farmers (Palmer et
al., 2006). Cattle owned by resource-poor farmers are
kept on communal rangelands where they are grazed
extensively (Masika and Mafu, 2004).
Communal grazing is characterized by poor
management of cattle and low productivity.
Consequently, diseases and parasitism are rife and
constitute major threats to cattle production in
communal areas (Kaewthamasorn and Wongsamee,
2006, Rajput et al., 2006). Cattle in Nigeria may be
infected with a wide variety of vector-borne
haemoparasites (Callow, 1978, Swallow, 2000). The
most economically important genera are the
trypanosomes (Trypanosoma vivax, T. congolense and
T. brucei), Babesia (Babesia bigemina, B.bovis)
Anaplasma and Ehrlichia (Cowdria), and to a less
extent Theileria (Theileria parva and T.veilifera)
(Makala et al., 2003; Mtshali et al., 2004; Kamani et
al., 2010). African animal trypanosomosis, Babesiosis
and Cowdriosis are considered as the most important
constraints to the health and improved productivity of
cattle in sub-Saharan Africa (FAO, 1984; Young et
al., 1988, Bell-sakyi et al., 2004). Haemoparasites
have generally shown to cause destruction of red
blood cells resulting in anaemia, jaundice, anorexia,
weight loss and infertility (Mtshali et al., 2004;
Kaufman et al., 2006, Jonsson, 2006; Justin, 2008).

1.1. Significance of Cattle in Nigeria

Cattle are very important economically because they
are sources of animal protein and income. Their by-
products such as hoof, bones, blood, hides and skin
are also variously used (Sansoucy, 1995). Beef is the
third most widely consumed meat in the world,
accounting for about 25% of meat production
worldwide, after pork and poultry at 38% and 30%
respectively (Dreyer et al., 1998; Dold and Cocks,
Okorafor and Nzeako
Prevalence of Haemoparasites of Cattle from Three Abattoirs in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria
245
2001). Beef is an excellent source of complete protein,
minerals such as zinc, selenium, phosphorus and iron
and the B vitamins. Red meat is the most significant
dietary source of carnitines and, like any other meat
(pork, fish, veal, lamb etc.), is a source of creatine.
Haemoparasitic infections are major public health,
veterinary and socio-economic problems in Africa,
where they impose a burden on the healthcare
infrastructure of both animals and animal handlers in
endemic areas.

1.2. Prevalence of Heamoparasites in Cattle

In several studies conducted on haemoparasites of
cattle Agu and Amadi (2001), reported a prevalence
of 3.9% in Ebonyi State, Enwezor et al. (2009) in
Kaduna State reported a prevalence rate of 13.5% and
Agu et al. (1990) in a study also in Kaduna State
reported a prevalence rate of 9.4%. In a study
investigated among 637 cattle by Kamani et al. (2010)
for haemoparasitic infections in North-Central,
Nigeria, 25.7% prevalence rate was recorded.
Although studies have been conducted on the
haemoparasitic infections of cattle in parts of Nigeria,
there is dearth of information regarding
haemoparasitic infections in Ibadan. In this work,
prevalence of haemoparasites of cattle is studied.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Study Area

The study was carried out at three selected abattoirs in
Ibadan metropolis; including Bodija abattoir (Ibadan
North Local Government Area), Akinyele abattoir
(Akinyele Local Government Area) and Olorunsogo
abattoir (Ona-Ara Local Government Area), Oyo
state, Nigeria. Bodija abattoir is the second biggest
abattoir in Western Nigeria. Akinyele abattoir is about
19 kilometers north of Ibadan on the Ibadan-Oyo-
Illorin road. Olorunsogo abattoir is about 170
kilometers from Ibadan, along the Ibadan-Sawia-
Olorunsogo-Akanran road, off LagosIwo
expressway. The abattoir has an average daily kill of
20-30 cattle (Osibanjo and Adie, 2007).

2.2. Blood sample collection

Blood samples were randomly collected aseptically
from 180 apparently healthy cattle of both sexes
consisting of three breeds; 94 White Fulani, also
called Bugani (78 males and 16 females), 42 Sokoto
Gudali (16 males and 26 females) and 44 Red Bororo
(34 males and 10 females). The blood from each
animal was put in an Ethylene diamine tetra acetic
acid (EDTA) tube which was then labelled and placed
in an ice pack. The blood samples were taken to the
laboratory for analysis within six hours of collection.
The blood samples were collected for a period of 12
weeks between March, 2013 and May, 2013.

2.3. Parasitological Examination

Haemoparasites were detected using the techniques of
wet mount, stained thin blood smear and buffy coat as
prescribed by Cheesbrough, (1998). The wet mount
specimens were examined using the X40 objective
lens while the thin blood smears were examined with
the X100 objective lens. The buffy coat was also
examined under the X10 and X40 objective lenses for
motile parasites. A minimum of 50 fields were
searched per slide in each of the procedures adopted.
Haemoparasites were identified to species level based
on structural and morphometric criteria (Purnell,
1981; Norval et al., 1991).

2.4. Statistical Analysis

Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in
analyzing the data in the study. The prevalence rates
among breeds and sex of the animals were expressed
as percentage of the total number of animals sampled.
Chi square test was used to evaluate relationship
between the prevalence of the disease and the breed
and sex of the cattle studied. A P-value of P<0.05 was
considered significant. Inferential statistics was done
using SPSS version 17.

3. RESULTS

The study showed that a total of 12 (6.67%) samples
were positive for different haemoparasites out of the
180 blood samples examined. Abattoir-specific
prevalence showed variability with Bodija abattoir
recording 6 (3.33%) infected animals out of the 60
cattle examined, Akinyele abattoir had 4( 2.22%)
infected animals out of the 60 cattle examined while
2(1.11%) infected animals were recorded at
Olorunsogo abattoir out of the 60 cattle examined
(Table 1).
Three genera of haemoparasites were identified,
namely; Trypanosoma spp; Theileria spp and Babesia
spp. Trypanosoma brucei had the highest prevalence
of 3.81%, Theileria parva, 0.56% and Babesia
bigemina, 2.22%. T. brucei showed a prevalence of
2.22%, 1.11% and 0.56% at Bodija, Akinyele and
Olorunsogo abattoirs respectively. Theileria parva
showed a prevalence of 0.56% at Bodija abattoir and
0.0% prevalence at both Akinyele and Olorunsogo
abattoirs. Babesia bigemina showed prevalence of
0.56%, 1.11% and 0.56% in Bodija, Akinyele and
Olorunsogo abattoirs respectively (Table, 2 and 3).
International Journal of Scientific Research in Environmental Sciences, 2(7), pp. 244-249, 2014
246
Sex-related haemoparasitemia did not vary
significantly (X
2
= 8.755, df = 1, P>0.05) in the study,
however, parasitemia was higher in cows (4.45%)
than in bulls (2.22%). Breed-specific parasitemia
showed that Sokoto Gudali had the highest prevalence
(2.78%) followed by the Red Bororo (2.22%) and
White Fulani (Bujani) having the lowest prevalence
(1.67%). The study also showed that breed specific
parasitemia varied significantly (X
2
= 5.386, df = 2, P
<0.05).

Table 1: Prevalence of haemoparasites in the study area


Table 2: Species prevalence of haemoparasites in the study area


4. DISCUSSION

This study confirms the reports of previous studies on
the range of haemoparasites found in cattle in Nigeria
(Agu et al., 1990; Agu and Amadi, 2001; Enwezor et
al., 2009; Kamani et al., 2010). The 6.67%
haemoparasitemia reported in this study suggests a
continuous challenge by parasites and the existence of
carrier state in most animals. Trypanosoma brucei
brucei (3.81%) accounted for most of the parasites
seen followed by B. bigemina (2.22%) and Theleria
parva (0.56%). This is in contrast to the work of Bell-
Sakyi et al. (2004) who observed a reverse trend in a
survey conducted in livestock in Ghana, a coastal
country in Africa. The observed 3.81% parsitemia for
trypanosomes was lower than the 8.4% reported by
Enwezor et al (2009) in Kaduna state and 8.0%
reported by Kimani et al. (2010) in North-Central
Nigeria.
Theileria parva showed a low occurrence of 0.56%
in the study. This observation contradicts earlier study
by Kimani et al. (2010) where 12% prevalence in
cattle in Nigeria was reported. The low parasitemia
observed in T.parva may be associated with difference
of sampling strategy and sample numbers. However,
Agu et al. (1990) showed that fatal infections of T.
parva could occur in nutritionally challenged breeds
and poor sanitary conditions that promote the
abundance of Amblyomma variegate; the tick vector.
The higher haemoparasitemia recorded in cows
(4.44%) than bulls (2.22%) could be attributed to
accumulation of parasites by the females due to the
extended breeding for economic reasons such as
calving and milk production. This confirms previous
reports of sex dimorphism in the incidence of
haemoparasitism in Nigeria (Agu et al. 1990, Agu and
Amadi, 2001; Enwezor et al., 2009; Kamani et al.,
2010). The susceptibility of cows might be attributed
to reduced immunity as a result of stress due to
pregnancy and lactation. The variability in breed
specific parasitemia was in line with observations
made by Agu and Amadi (2001) that attributed this
variability to host specific factors peculiar to
individual breeds.

Okorafor and Nzeako
Prevalence of Haemoparasites of Cattle from Three Abattoirs in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria
247
Table 3: Sex prevalence of haemoparasites in relation to breed of cattle in the study area


5. CONCLUSION

The present report confirms the presence of carrier
populations of haemoparasite-infected cattle which
both serve as a reservoir of infection for tick-vectors,
susceptible livestock and humans. We recommend
routine screening of animals to effectively reduce to
the barest minimum the prevalence of haemoparasites
in the study areas.

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to the field and laboratory
assistants as well as the cattle owners of the study
areas for their cooperation during the study.

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Prevalence of Haemoparasites of Cattle from Three Abattoirs in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria
249



Mr Ugochukwu Patrick Okorafor graduated from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka,
Anambra State, Nigeria with a B. Sc. (Hons) Parasitology and Entomology, 2004. In 2008, he
obtained M.Sc. Environmental Parasitology from the University of Port-Harcourt. Mr Okorafor
has a broad research in Environmental and Veterinary Parasitology. He has conducted several
researches in the control of parasites of both public health and veterinary importance in Nigeria
and has published articles in professional journals at national and international levels in general
parasitology.













Dr. Sidney Obidimma Nzeako graduated from the University of Nigeria Nsukka; B.Sc (Hons)
Biology Education, 2003. In 2007 he obtained M.Sc Environmental Parasitology and Ph.D
Nematology, (2012) from the University of Port Harcourt. Dr Nzeako has a broad research
interest in Environmental Parasitology and Nematology. He has conducted several researches in
biological control of parasitic nematodes in economically important animals and crops in Nigeria
and has published several articles in professional journals at national and international levels
cutting across General Parasitology and Nematology.