Epidemiological Situation of Bovine Haemoparasites in the Peri-Urban Area of Bouaké in Côte d'Ivoire

A parasitological study conducted in the peri-urban area of Bouaké, aims to control the main haemoparasites in cattle. A total of 240 blood samples were taken in 2021 from cattle of different breeds and age groups for the production of blood smears. These blood smears were fixed in 96% methanol for 3 to 5 minutes, then stained with diluted 10% Giemsa for 20 to 30 minutes and observed under a light microscope at immersion objective 100. Four species of haemoparasites specifically caused by ticks were observed: Anaplasma marginale (48.33%), Theileria spp (21.25%), Babesia bigemina (9.58%) and Anaplasma centrale (4.58%). Trypanosoma spp were not encountered. With the exception of B. bigemina, the statistical difference in prevalence was significant at the p-value threshold ≤ 0.05 at the sampling sites. In addition, A. marginale and Theileria spp differed significantly at p-value ≤ 0.05 according to season, with infection levels higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. Among cattle breeds, Theileria spp was more prevalent in the N'dama breed (28.8%). The difference in prevalence for this blood parasite is considered significant at p-value ≤ 0.05 at breed level. Further studies on haemoparasite vectors are needed for more effective integrated pest management.