Molecular Detection and Characterization of Trypanosomes in Cattle Slaughtered in Abattoirs of Northern Nigeria

African Animal Trypanosomosis (AAT) remains a serious threat to livestock production in most of sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. Accurate data on the prevalence and distribution of pathogenic trypanosomes is required for the formulation of cost-effective control measures. Blood samples from 150 cattle obtained from abattoirs located in three cities in northern Nigeria were screened for the presence of the DNA of pathogenic trypanosomes using PCR and sequencing. The internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1), region of Trypanosoma spp. was amplified in 15.3% of the cattle examined. Nucleotide sequences obtained in this study were 99–100% identical to each other and formed a monophyletic clade with nucleotide sequences of T. vivax from other countries in the GenBank. Risk of AAT was associated with breed of cattle (ꭓ²=15.23, p=0.004) and packed cell volume (PCV) of animals (RR=2.5, p=0.04), but not with sex, age or body condition score. This is the first report of the molecular detection and characterization of T. vivax in cattle in the study areas. More studies are needed to complement existing data for the design of evidence-based cost-effective control measures for AAT in Nigeria.