Cattle ticks and associated tick-borne pathogens in Burkina Faso and Benin: Apparent northern spread of Rhipicephalus microplus in Benin and first evidence of Theileria velifera and Theileria annulata

Abstract

Babesiosis, theileriosis, anaplasmosis, and heartwater are tick-borne diseases that threaten livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa including Burkina Faso and Benin. For over a decade, these two bordering countries have been facing an invasion of the livestock by the tick Rhipicephalus microplus, a major vector for babesiosis, accidentally introduced in Benin in 2004. The molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens in this border area is of particular interest due to animals seasonal migration between the two countries. In this survey, epidemiological features of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in cattle were investigated to compare the eastern Burkina Faso, corresponding to a seasonal migration departure zone, and the northern Benin, which represents a seasonal migration arrival zone. Ticks and peripheral blood were collected from a total of 946 cattle in the two areas. Ticks were morphologically identified and the DNA samples from bovine blood and ticks were analysed by Reverse Line Blot (RLB) hybridization process. A total of 2856 ticks were collected on 490 cattle in Burkina Faso, eight tick species were identified, while 3583 ticks were collected on 456 cattle in North Benin with nine tick species identified. The invasive tick, R. microplus was not found in eastern Burkina Faso, but its spread farthest north in Benin is reported. Six tick-borne pathogen species were found in cattle blood both in eastern Burkina Faso and in northern Benin. Ranked in decreasing order of overall prevalences, they are: Theileria mutans (91.1%), Theileria velifera (77.8%), Babesia bigemina (10.9%), Anaplasma marginale (4.2%), Babesia bovis (3.3%), and Theileria annulata (1.8%). To the best of our knowledge, this survey represents the first report of T. velifera and T. annulata in the region. Overall, the TBP prevalences were significantly higher in northern Benin than in eastern Burkina Faso, indicating a higher parasitological risk in this area.

Cross border transhumance involvement in ticks and tick-borne pathogens dissemination and first evidence of Anaplasma centrale in Burkina Faso

“…Changes induced in tick populations by transhumance necessarily influence the prevalences of circulating TBP. At T0BF and T1BN, the TBP such as T. mutans and T. velifera prevalences recorded are in line with previous values reported in the study area (Ouedraogo et al, 2021) and in other African countries (Simuunza et al, 2011;Lorusso et al, 2016 ;Abanda et al, 2019). These two pathogens were the most prevalent at the three points of transhumance, showing overall prevalences significantly lower at T2BF, without a decrease of their vector tick population, A. variegatum (Bishop et al, 2004).…”

“…Elsewhere, this survey evidenced some TBP species, rarely reported in the study area. This include T. annulata, whose presence was reported for the first time in 2021 (Ouedraogo et al, 2021) . This concern also A. centrale, detected in cattle at T0BF and T2BF, with prevalence in line with that reported in Nigeria (Lorusso et al, 2016).…”

“…Then, it spread and established from South (Mono department) to the northern departments (Borgou and Donga) only in a few years (De Clercq et al, 2012;Biguezoton et al, 2016). After molecular characterization of tick samples collected in whole of the four northern departments in 2017, a recent study evidenced its presence in Alibori and Atacora departments (Ouedraogo et al, 2021). This tick species represents a real threat as its introduction into a previously unaffected region could generate numerous issues: (i): due to its monophasic character combined with its faster life-cycle, and its high degree of acaricide-resistance, it can induce heavy burden infestation on animals (Tønnesen et al, 2004), (ii): it can induce competition with closest species (e.g.…”

A Survey of Tick Infestation and Tick-Borne Piroplasm Infection of Cattle in Oudalan and Séno Provinces, Northern Burkina Faso

“…The estimated 9.1 million-heads cattle population raised all over the country accounts for 36-40% of the value-added agriculture, and ranks third in export products [9][10][11]. Tick vectors of piroplasms have been reported all over the country [12][13][14][15][16] and farmers recognized tick infestation as a major constraint to cattle productivity [12,17]. Yet, a limited number of studies has investigated the epidemiology of piroplasmosis in the country.…”

Efficacy of two commercial synthetic pyrethroids (cypermethrin and deltamethrin) on Amblyomma variegatum and Rhipicephalus microplus strains of the south-western region of Burkina Faso

“…About 17 Ixodidae ticks, belonging to the genus Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus, have been identified in West Africa (Biguezoton et al 2016;Diarra et al 2017;Ouedraogo et al 2021). These obligate hematophagous arthropods have direct and indirect effects on livestock health and production in most parts of Sub-Saharan Africa (Stachurski 2000).…”