Bartonella bovis in Cattle in Nigeria: Molecular Detection and the Analysis of Risk Factors

Cattle are the most important source of animal protein to humans in Nigeria. They are predominately raised under the extensive system of production. Although, low cost, this management system exposes the animals to several ectoparasites and vector-borne infections, with veterinary and public health consequences. Bartonellosis is an emerging vector-borne infection with veterinary and zoonotic implications. This study examined 462 blood samples from cattle in Nigeria for the presence of Bartonella DNA using PCR and sequencing approach. DNA fragments of the citrate synthase gene (gltA) and RNA polymerase beta subunit gene (rpoB) of Bartonella bovis were detected in 43 (9.3%) and 6 (1.3%), respectively, of the samples examined. The gltA and rpoB sequences from this study had high identities of 97.6% to 99.8% with GenBank deposited sequences of B. bovis. Phylogenetic analysis recovered the gltA and rpoB nucleotide sequences from this study in a monophyletic clade with B. bovis sequences from diverse mammals from other countries. Prevalence of B. bovis was associated (p<0.05) with animals older than two years of age and samples collected from abattoirs. This is the first report of B. bovis in cattle in Nigeria. More studies are required to determine the potential public health implications of these findings considering the high rate of detection in animals slaughtered for human consumption and the difficulties in enforcing meat inspection laws.