Impact of Tick Infestation and Trypanosomiasis in Cattle in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Cameroon

摘要

This study was undertaken in Yoko village in a Sudano-Sahelian zone in the Mayo Rey division to investigate the prevalence of ticks and of trypanosomiasis; to assess the impact of the occurrence of these health issues on the health indicators of cattle and to determine the effect of the presence of poultry and children in pastoralist households on the occurrence of ticks. A total of 223 cattle were selected from 24 herds. Ticks were collected on the entire body surface of each animal and identified; their BCS was evaluated; blood samples were also collected for paraclinical test (packed-cell volume) and for detection of trypanosomes by Buffy-Coat Technique (BCT). Amblyomma variegatum was the only species identified. A total of 591 ticks (296 male and 191 female and 104 nymphs) were collected from 170 animals; twenty one of them were infected by trypanosomes notably Trypanosoma. Congolense. The presence of poultry and of children in households significantly affected the prevalence of cattle infested by ticks and its mean count. The means PCV and the frequencies of Good BCS were significantly lower in cattle with both ticks and trypanosomiasis than with ticks alone. This study ascertains the presence of the tick Amblyomma variegatum in the Soudaneo-Sahelian zone of Cameroon and the importance of the presence of poultry and children in pastoralists' households in the reduction of ticks' burden on cattle and, it highlights the aggravating effect of both tick infestation and trypansomiasis on cattle health indicators.