Detection of tick-borne haemoparasites in an isolated buffalo (Syncerus caffer) population from the Zambezi delta in Mozambique

Abstract

Theileria parva is the most significant tick-borne haemoparasite associated with buffalo and it causes Corridor disease in Southern Africa. African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is known for being the host of many pathogens causing diseases of veterinary importance, resulting in severe economic loss. The objective of this study was to detect haemoparasites species in blood samples obtained from a buffalo herd in the Zambezi delta in Mozambique, using DNA-based diagnostic assays. Several tick-borne blood-parasites namely Theileria, Babesia, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species were detected, either as single or mixed infections, with the use of the reverse line blot hybridization assay. Furthermore, Theileria parva infections were confirmed by the quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). This is the first report of tick-borne haemoparasites in the area of Zambezi delta in Mozambique. The results of this study indicate the occurrence of the following tick-borne haemoparasites in the Zambezi delta buffalo population. Theileria parva (95%) was the most frequently found species followed by Theileria sp. (sable) (85%), A. marginale (63%), T. velifera, (45%), T. mutans (43%), A. centrale (10%), T. sp. (buffalo) (3%) finally Anaplasma sp. (Omatjienne) (3%). These results strongly indicate a high challenge of the buffalo population in this area by tick-borne haemoparasites, especially T. parva. The qPCR was the most sensitive technique for detection of T. parva, detecting this pathogen in 100% of tested samples compared to 95% by RLB. The high occurrence of T. parva and A. marginale infections in this herd, the causative agents of the fatal bovine theileriosis and bovine anaplasmosis may pose a risk to the cattle population in the surrounding areas.