Clinicopathological Study of Haemoparasitic Infections in Cattle in Taraba State, North East Nigeria

Haemoparasitic infections, including anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and trypanosomiasis, collectively cause devastating losses in cattle herds maintained in Taraba State, a state in Nigeria's North East zone characterised by extensive tsetse and tick habitats. This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence, haematological alterations, and associated pathological changes in cattle with haemoparasitic infections in selected local government areas of Taraba State, from January to June 2023. Blood samples from 180 cattle were collected for complete blood count and Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smear examination. Animals positive for haemoparasites were monitored for pathological signs, and necropsy was performed on five animals that died. Haemoparasite prevalence was 51.1 percent, with Anaplasma marginale (38.0%), Trypanosoma congolense (27.2%), and Babesia bigemina (19.6%) identified as leading organisms. Haematological alterations included anaemia, thrombocytopaenia, and leucopaenia. Necropsy findings included splenomegaly, haemolytic jaundice, hepatomegaly, and renal cortical pallor. Histopathologically, splenic haemosiderosis, hepatic centrilobular necrosis, and glomerulonephritis were observed. The co-occurrence of multiple haemoparasites was documented in 23.9 percent of positive animals, complicating clinical management. Integrated vector control, adoption of acaricides, and improved veterinary laboratory diagnostics are urgently required in Taraba State. Keywords: haemoparasites, cattle, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Taraba