Molecular Isolation of Theileria and Babesia Species and the Risk Factors Associated with their Infection in Cattle at Makurdi and Abinsi in Benue State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to investigate the Molecular Isolation of Theileria and Babesia Species and the Risk Factors associated with their infection in cattle at Makurdi and Abinsi in Benue State, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected randomly from 160 cows in three locations in Makurdi (Wadata, Wurukum, North bank and one location in Abinsi and examined for Theileria and Babesia infection using molecular methods. A questionnaire was used to assess the risk factors associated with the infections. The result of the PCR reaction indicated the presence of Theileria orientalis and Babesia bovis at 335 and 278 base pair respectively. Chi-Square statistical analysis was used to determine the significance of the prevalences of the infections among cattle. The results showed that Theileria orientalis was more prevalent than Babesia bovis with the prevalences of 11.25 and 7.50 respectively. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that management practices, acaricidal control on the farm, and the presence of other animals are statistically significant risk factors associated with an increased likelihood of infections in cattle. However, age and location was not statistically significant and sex showed marginal significance. In conclusion therefore, there was high prevalences of Babesia and Theileria species in cattle in Makurdi and Abinsi. Based on Molecular description it is therefore recommended that farmers should implement more effective tick control measures in the Abinsi and Makurdi area of Benue State, Nigeria to reduce the vectors responsible for transmitting Theileria and Babesia species furthermore, farmers should be educated to know the importance of regular tick control practices against the infection.