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Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Tick-borne Pathogens in Cattle from Southern Malawi

Overview
Journal Vet Res Commun
Publisher Springer
Date 2024 Apr 27
PMID 38676858
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Abstract

Introduction: Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose a major hindrance to livestock production in countries with limited resources. Effective prevention and management of TBDs require a thorough understanding of disease vectors and pathogens. However, there is limited information on studies of bovine tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) using molecular methods in Malawi. This study aimed to detect TBPs of cattle populations in southern Malawi, which has the largest cattle population in the country.

Methodology: A total of 220 blood samples from apparently healthy cattle were collected in six districts, and were screened for selected TBPs using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: The overall detection rate of TBPs was 72.3%. Among the detected pathogens, Babesia bigemina had the highest detection rate (34.5%), followed by Anaplasma marginale (23.2%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (22.3%), Theileria taurotragi (22.3%), Theileria parva (15.5%), Anaplasma bovis (9.6%), Babesia bovis (7.3%), Theileria mutans (4.1%), and Babesia naoakii (2.7%). Among the positive samples, 64.2% were found to be co-infected with two or more TBPs, with the highest number of seven pathogens detected in a single sample. The study documents the existence of A. phagocytophilum, B. bovis, and B. naoakii in Malawian cattle for the first time.

Conclusion: The findings herein demonstrate a significant burden of TBPs on cattle in Malawi, which gives a challenge in combating TBDs. The high TBP burden, along with the high co-infection frequencies in Malawian cattle necessitates the urgency to implement effective control strategies to enhance cattle production in the country.

Citing Articles

Global Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Cattle: A One Health Perspective, Meta-Analysis and Future Predictions (up to 2035).

Abdoli A, Olfatifar M, Zaki L, Nikkhahi F, Fardsanei F, Sobhani S Vet Med Sci. 2025; 11(2):e70251.

PMID: 39969156 PMC: 11837283. DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70251.

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