Zoonotic Haemoparasites and Haematological Status of Cattle Slaughtered in Three Abattoirs in Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans and humans to animals. Cattle is the highest

source of animal protein consumed in Nigeria. This study investigated the prevalence of zoonotic parasites and determined

the association between parasitemia and the haematological status of cattle slaughtered in three abattoirs in Lokoja, Kogi

State. Blood samples were collected from 196 cattle of both sexes and varying ages and subjected to microscopy using thin

blood smears. From the 196 samples examined, 52(26.53%) were infected with one or more haemoparasites. Haemoparasite

results showed prevalence for Babesia spp., Trypanosoma spp., Theileria spp. and Anaplasma spp. to be 13.27%, 6.63%,

6.12% and 4.08% respectively. Haematological analysis was done using an automated haemo-analyser. There was a

significant difference (P<0.005) in the prevalence of haemoparasites across the three abattoirs. Felele abattoir (29.89%) had

the highest prevalence, followed by the Barracks abattoir with 27.50%, then the Ganaja abattoir had the lowest prevalence

of 21.7%. Female cattle were more inundated with parasites (31.46%) than male cattle (22.43%). Younger cattle showed a

higher positivity rate (28.57%) than older (25.21%) cattle. Felele abattoir recorded the highest haematological values across

all parameters (PCV; 35%, WBC; 12.25 x 10 /l, Hemoglobin level; 13g/dl and the RBC; 7.1 x 10 /l). However, there were

no statistically significant difference (P>0.005) between the haematological values of cattle from abattoirs. Male cattle

recorded higher mean PCV value (34%) than female cattle (31%). Although not statistically significant, the haematological

parameters recorded higher values in younger than in older cattle. There was a significant association (P<0.005) between

parasitemia and haematological status of the cattle examined. This study revealed a high prevalence of haemoparasites

parasites in cattle slaughtered in the three abattoirs in Lokoja, Nigeria. The presence of these parasites showed that the public

is at risk of a potential outbreak of their corresponding zoonotic diseases. There is a need for more studies on the epidemiology

of parasitic zoonoses in Lokoja, Kogi State and how to appropriately control the parasites in these economically viable

animals for improved productivity