African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6863

Full Length Research Paper

Anaplasma phagocytophilum in cattle parasitism in Benin: An emerging pathogen transmitted by ticks

Adehan Safiou Bienvenu
  • Adehan Safiou Bienvenu
  • Laboratory of Zootechnical Veterinary and Fisheries Research (LRZVH), Animal Health and Ecotoxicology, National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin, Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
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Akpo Yao
  • Akpo Yao
  • Communicable Diseases Research Unit (URMAT) University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01 P. O. Box 2009, Cotonou, Benin.
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Badarou Kadidjatoulaï Opeyemi
  • Badarou Kadidjatoulaï Opeyemi
  • Laboratory of Zootechnical Veterinary and Fisheries Research (LRZVH), Animal Health and Ecotoxicology, National Institute of Agricultural Research of Benin, Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
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Kounonzo Maurice Landry
  • Kounonzo Maurice Landry
  • Communicable Diseases Research Unit (URMAT) University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01 P. O. Box 2009, Cotonou, Benin.
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Dah-Nouvlessounon Durand
  • Dah-Nouvlessounon Durand
  • Communicable Diseases Research Unit (URMAT) University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01 P. O. Box 2009, Cotonou, Benin.
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Kande Souleymane
  • Kande Souleymane
  • Bouaké Regional Laboratory (LRB) – Animal Health, National Laboratory for Agricultural Development Support (LANADA), Bouake, Ivory Coast.
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Gbaguidi Armel Michel
  • Gbaguidi Armel Michel
  • Communicable Diseases Research Unit (URMAT) University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01 P. O. Box 2009, Cotonou, Benin.
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Mama Traoré
  • Mama Traoré
  • Communicable Diseases Research Unit (URMAT) University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01 P. O. Box 2009, Cotonou, Benin.
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Boko K. Cyrille
  • Boko K. Cyrille
  • Communicable Diseases Research Unit (URMAT) University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01 P. O. Box 2009, Cotonou, Benin.
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Madder Maxime
  • Madder Maxime
  • Vector Biology Unit, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.
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Farougou Souaïbou
  • Farougou Souaïbou
  • Communicable Diseases Research Unit (URMAT) University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), 01 P. O. Box 2009, Cotonou, Benin.
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  •  Received: 17 February 2022
  •  Accepted: 17 August 2022
  •  Published: 30 September 2022

Abstract

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a bacterium transmitted by ticks, is responsible for granulocytic anaplasmosis, an emerging zoonosis that has never been reported nor identified previously in Benin and in the West African sub-region. This study is designed not only to investigate the prevalence of the disease and evaluate mortalities recorded at Kpinnou farm after importing Girolando cattle from Brazil in 2014 but also to assess the prevalence of the emerging disease in Benin in the year 2014 period.  A total number of 1427 ticks were collected, including 5 ml of blood from each one hundred cattle. Microscopic diagnosis reveals the presence of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp., Rhipicephalus microplus, Amblyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus spp and Hyalomma spp. Blood analysis results reveal the occurrence of 55% positive cases for A. phagocytophilum. Considering the effeiciency of the methods, 100% of A. phagocytophilum reported as positive by microscopy appear to be also positive with molecular analysis. PCR has greater sensitivity and specificity even with microscopy showing appreciable specificity. This study concludes that Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the primary suspect responsible for the massive deaths observed in cattle in the study area.

Key words: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, ticks, zoonosis, cattle, Benin.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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