Molecular characterization of Anaplasma, Babesia, Coxcella, Eherlicha and Theilera pathogens Circulating in Cattle in Assosa and Bambasi Districts, Benishangul Gumuz Region, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Molecular characterization of Tick borne pathogen from cattle blood sample was not well documented from Benishangul Gumuz region. A cross-sectional study was conducted to screen blood samples for the presence of tick-borne pathogens from October to November 2019. The aim of this study was Molecular characterization of Anaplasma, Babesia, Coxcella, Eherlicha and Theilera pathogens in cattle population. The representatives of the study population were selected by simple random sampling methods and 1013 cattle blood samples were collected from Assosa and Bambasi districts. Molecular identification of TBPs was performed by high resolution melt analysis (HRM) PCR amplification coupled by DNA sequencing. Binary logistic regression was employed using STATA version 14 statistical software. The overall prevalence of TBPs from present study were 78.1% (789), [95% CI, 75.5-80.6]. The prevalence of Anaplasma spps was 56.5% (573), [95% CI, 53.6-59.7] and Theileria spps 57.9% (582), [95% CI, 54.5-64.4]. Anaplasma marginale 30% (303), [95% CI, 27.2-32.9], A. playts 6.4% (66), [95% CI, 5.1-8.1], Ca. A. cinensis 7.4% (75), [95% CI, 5.9-9.2], Anaplasma spp 12.7% (129), [95% CI, 10.9-15.1] T. velifera 29.4% (299), [95% CI, 26.6-32.3], T. orientalis 20.9% (211), [95% CI, 18.2-23.2] and T. sergenti 7.6% (76), [95 CI, 6.1-9.4]. The prevalence of co-existence for Anaplasma and Theileria spps was found from A. marginale and T. velifera 9.9% (100), [95% CI, 8.2- 11.9], A. marginale and T. orientalis 6.8% (69), [95% CI, 5.4-8.5], Anaplasma spp and T. velifera 4.5% (45), [95% CI, 3.3-5.9], A. playts and T. velifera 2.6% (26), [95% CI, 1.7-3.7], Ca. A. cinensis and T. velifera 1.9% (19), [95% CI, 1.2-2.9] and A. marginale and T. sergenti 2.9% (30), [95% CI, 2.1-4.2]. The prevalence of Anaplasma and Theileria spps was higher in lowland than midland and shows statistically significant difference with P < 0.05. The prevalence of Anaplasma and Theileria spps statistically significant between Assosa and Bambasi District with P < 0.05. Anaplasma spps more prevalent from Assosa while, Theileria spps was higher from Bambasi District. Babesia, Ehrlicha and Coxiella not found in the study area. The higher occurrence of co-existence of pathogen on individual animals revealed the burden of diseases on livestock in the area. Strategic prevention and control of tick and TBPs should be implemented to keeping enzootic stability. Farther study is essential to investigate the economic impact of these TBPs in the present study area