Prevalence of Serum Antibodies of Tick-borne Diseases and the Presence of Rhipicephalus Microplus in Communal Grazing Cattle in the North-eastern Region of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Overview

Journal Parasitol Res

Specialty Parasitology

Date 2021 Jan 7

PMID 33409632

Citations 3

Authors

Mandla Yawa

Nkululeko Nyangiwe

Ishmael Festus Jaja

Charles T Kadzere

Munyaradzi Christopher Marufu

Affiliations

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Abstract

A survey to determine the prevalence of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) and ticks infesting cattle was conducted in the communal areas of the north-eastern region of the Eastern Cape Province (ECP) between January 2019 and October 2019. Tick counts, packed cell volume (PCV), body condition scores (BCS), and serological test for TBDs were seasonally conducted in communally grazed cattle (n = 240) in Joe Gqabi district in two local municipalities (Elundini and Senqu). A standard indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to determine antibodies to Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis, and Ehrlichia ruminantium and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed for antibodies to Anaplasma marginale detection. The highest tick loads were observed on cattle during the hot-wet and post-rainy seasons and lowest during the cool-dry season. The E. ruminantium prevalence in Elundini was 16% and 14% in post-rainy and hot-dry seasons respectively and 15% at Senqu during the post-rainy season. B. bigemina prevalence was highest at Elundini (18%) and Senqu (16%) during the post-rainy season and hot-wet season respectively. Cattle BCS was negatively correlated with E. ruminantium (P < 0.01; r = - 0.203), B. bovis (P < 0.01; r = - 0.125), and A. marginale (P < 0.01; r = - 0.122) seroprevalence. The PCV was negatively correlated with B. bigemina (P < 0.01; r = - 0.138) seroprevalence. On the other hand, E. ruminantium was positively correlated with Amblyomma hebraeum (P < 0.05; r = 0.112) infestation, while B. bovis (P < 0.05; r = 0.134) and B. bigemina (P < 0.05; r = 0.188) were positively correlated with Rhipicephalus microplus infestation, and B. bigemina (P < 0.05; r = 0.077) was positively correlated with Rhipicephalus decoloratus infestation. Our study reports for the first time the presence of R. microplus in the study area. Further research is, however, needed to better understand seroprevalence and the transmission mode of TBDs to cattle so that effective disease control measures can be developed.

Citing Articles

A systematic review of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of cattle reared by smallholder farmers in South Africa.

Monakale K, Ledwaba M, Smith R, Gaorekwe R, Malatji D Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis. 2024; 6:100205.

PMID: 39258000 PMC: 11386001. DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100205.

Pathogenic and Endosymbiotic Bacteria and Their Associated Antibiotic Resistance Biomarkers in and Ticks Infesting Nguni Cattle ( spp.).

Chigwada A, Mapholi N, Ogola H, Mbizeni S, Masebe T Pathogens. 2022; 11(4).

PMID: 35456107 PMC: 9028808. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040432.

Metagenomics of the midgut microbiome of Rhipicephalus microplus from China.

Zhang X, Deng Y, Yang T, Li L, Cheng T, Liu G Parasit Vectors. 2022; 15(1):48.

PMID: 35135613 PMC: 8822867. DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05161-6.

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