Molecular Detection and Characterisation of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Cattle in Benue State, North Central Nigeria

This study provides the first systematic molecular characterisation of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in cattle in Benue State, located in Nigeria's North Central geopotical zone. Tick-borne diseases including theileriosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis cause significant cattle mortality and production losses in the North Central zone, but the full spectrum of circulating TBP species in Benue State cattle has not been molecularly defined. Using a cross-sectional design, blood samples were collected from 250 cattle from 25 farms across five local government areas. Tick samples were concurrently collected from each sampled animal for species identification. Multiplex PCR using universal primers followed by specific assays for Theileria spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia spp. was performed on buffy coat DNA extracts. Positive samples were Sanger sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The study addresses the significant research gap of molecular TBP diversity data in Benue State. Findings revealed TBP prevalence of 67 percent, with Theileria mutans (38%), Anaplasma marginale (29%), Babesia bigemina (22%), and Ehrlichia ruminantium (11%) as the principal species detected. Mixed infections were documented in 41 percent of positive animals. Six tick vector species were recovered, with Amblyomma variegatum being the most abundant. The study provides foundational data for rational tick and TBP control programme design in Benue State. Keywords: tick-borne pathogens, molecular detection, cattle, Benue State, phylogenetics.