PCR detection of Ehrlichia ruminantium and Babesia bigemina in cattle from Kwara State, Nigeria: unexpected absence of infection

Summary

This molecular epidemiological survey examined the prevalence of two economically significant tick-borne pathogens—Ehrlichia ruminantium (heartwater) and Babesia bigemina (babesiosis)—in cattle from Kwara State, north-central Nigeria. Contrary to expectations given the reported endemicity of both pathogens in Nigeria, all 157 sampled cattle tested negative by PCR-based methods. The findings suggest either localised disease absence or lower-than-anticipated infection rates in this region, with implications for targeting livestock health interventions.

Regional applicability

This Nigerian surveillance study has limited direct applicability to UK conditions, where both E. ruminantium and B. bigemina are absent from endemic transmission cycles. However, the molecular diagnostics methodology and epidemiological approach may inform UK border biosecurity and exotic disease monitoring protocols, particularly in screening imported livestock or tick vectors.

Key measures

PCR detection (qualitative and quantitative) of E. ruminantium and B. bigemina in cattle blood samples; prevalence expressed as proportion of positive samples

Outcomes reported

The study detected the absence of Ehrlichia ruminantium and Babesia bigemina in all 157 blood samples from cattle in Kwara State using qPCR and semi-nested PCR. These negative results provide new epidemiological data on the current burden of these two major tick-borne diseases in the region.

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