Prevalence of Anaplasma ovis and its effects on haematology of apparently healthy Sahel goats in Maiduguri, Nigeria: A Preliminary study

Introduction: Anaplasma ovis is an intraerythrocytic rickettsial pathogen that causes clinical symptoms and huge economic losses in flocks. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and effects of Anaplasma ovis on the haematology of apparently healthy Sahel goats in Maiduguri. Methods: Blood samples were randomly collected from one hundred (100) Sahel goats from both farm and abattoir in the study area. Parasitological and haematological analyses were carried out on the collected samples using a standard technique. Results: Out of 100 goats sampled, seven (7) were positive with an overall prevalence of 7%. The prevalence was higher in the male 5 (5%) than in the female 2 (2%) with no significant association between sexes (p > 0.05). The haematological parameters of infected and uninfected goats were within normal range except for mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of infected goats. The MCV of infected and uninfected goats varied significantly (p < 0.05) while the packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular haemoglobin of infected and uninfected goats were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected. Significance: Natural infection in apparently healthy goats in Maiduguri was found not to have an obvious effect on the haematology of the infected animals. There is a need for prevention and control programs against this pathogen in the study area. This, when carried out, will improve the production potential of these animals and economic well-being of the owners.