Epidemiology of bovine theileriosis due to Theileria annulata in Mauritania, sub-saharan West-Africa

Abstract

Tropical bovine theileriosis due to Theileria annulata has been discovered recently in Mauritania. An epidemiological study performed in the dry season allowed to better determine the serological prevalence of T. annulata infection and its associated factors. The sex does not seem to have any influence, the role of the breed could not be clearly established, whereas, the age, the geographical origin and the management of the herd have a significant influence on the serological prevalence. These results were compared with those of the tick fauna. Hyalomma dromedarii appears to be the natural vector over the whole Mauritanian territory. However, the more diversified the tick fauna is (lower valley of Senegal River), the highest is the serological prevalence. The incidence survey in the rainy season, performed exclusively in the Senegal River valley, raises the question of the role of Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, strictly limited to this area, which could be responsible for an amplifying phenomenon of transmission. The clinical survey in the dry season as well as in the rainy season did not reveal any clinical cases. Therefore, a stable endemic situation appears to exist between the local zebu and T. annulata infection in Mauritania.