Description of a new tick species, closely related to Amblyomma javanense (Supino, 1897), associated with Varanus bengalensis (Squamata: Varanidae) in Pakistan.

The genus Amblyomma contains the highest percentage of reptile-associated ticks, and comprises approximately nine subgenera. One of these subgenera is Adenopleura, which also encompasses Amblyomma javanense, and its type species Amblyomma compressum. This study describes a new Amblyomma species associated with Bengal monitor lizards (Varanus bengalensis) based on morphology and its mitogenome in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Species identity and phylogeny of Paramphistomoidea Fischoeder, 1901 occurring in cattle and sheep in North Cameroon.

Paramphistomidae and Gastrothylacidae are parasitic flatworms occurring in wild and domestic ruminants in different parts of the world especially in Asia and Africa. In Central Africa, few studies have been done using molecular techniques to resolve taxonomical groupings and understand the epizootiology of these parasites. In this study, we molecularly characterized two hundred adult flukes collected from the fore stomachs of cattle and sheep in the Adamawa region of the northern Cameroon.

Ticks and Rickettsiae Associated with Wild Animals Sold in Bush Meat Markets in Cameroon.

Ticks are obligate blood-sucking parasites of wild animals and transmit many zoonotic microorganisms that can spread to domesticated animals and then to humans. In Cameroon, little is known about tick diversity among wildlife, especially for animals which are hunted for human consumption. Therefore, this survey was undertaken to investigate tick and species diversity parasitizing the wild animals sold in bush meat markets in Cameroon.

Haemaphysalis hoodi (Acari: Ixodidae) on a human from Yaoundé, Cameroon, and its molecular characterization.

The genus Haemaphysalis Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) is the second-largest genus, with more than 170 described species that primarily parasitize mammals and birds (Guglielmone et al. 2014, Guglielmone et al. 2020).

Genetic Analyses and Genome-Wide Association Studies on Pathogen Resistance of and Cattle Breeds in Cameroon.

Autochthonous taurine and later introduced zebu cattle from Cameroon differ considerably in their resistance to endemic pathogens with little to no reports of the underlying genetic make-up. Breed history and habitat variations are reported to contribute significantly to this diversity worldwide, presumably in Cameroon as well, where locations diverge in climate, pasture, and prevalence of infectious agents. In order to investigate the genetic background, the genotypes of 685 individuals of different Cameroonian breeds were analysed by using the BovineSNP50v3 BeadChip.

Galectins from Onchocerca ochengi and O. volvulus and their immune recognition by Wistar rats, Gudali zebu cattle and human hosts.

Background: During the last two decades research on animal filarial parasites, especially Onchocerca ochengi, infecting cattle in savanna areas of Africa revealed that O. ochengi as an animal model has biological features that are similar to those of O. volvulus, the aetiological agent of human onchocerciasis.

Host specificity and phylogeny of Trichostrongylidae of domestic ruminants in the Guinea savannah of the Adamawa plateau in Cameroon.

Gastro-intestinal tracts were examined from thirteen Gudali zebu cattle, ten goats and ten sheep from the Adamawa highland in Northern Cameroon. A total of 28,325 adult helminths were recovered from the abomasa, small and large intestines. Five trichostrongylid genera were identified by their morphology: Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus and Oesophagostomum were predominant in both cattle and small ruminants, whilst Cooperia was only found in cattle both in the abomasum and small intestines.

Widespread co-endemicity of Trypanosoma species infecting cattle in the Sudano-Sahelian and Guinea Savannah zones of Cameroon.

Background: African animal trypanosomosis remains the major constraint of livestock production and livelihood of pastoral communities in Cameroon. Despite several decades of vector and parasite control efforts, it has not been eradicated. Alternative and sustainable control strategies require a sound knowledge of the local species, strains and vectors.

Molecular identification and prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in zebu and taurine cattle in North Cameroon.

Background: Public interest for tick-borne pathogens in cattle livestock is rising due to their veterinary and zoonotic importance. Consequently, correct identification of these potential pathogens is crucial to estimate the level of exposition, the risk and the detrimental impact on livestock and the human population.

Results: Conventional PCR with generic primers was used to identify groups of tick-borne pathogens in cattle breeds from northern Cameroon.

Development of a Low-Density DNA Microarray for Detecting Tick-Borne Bacterial and Piroplasmid Pathogens in African Cattle.

In Africa, pathogens transmitted by ticks are of major concern in livestock production and human health. Despite noticeable improvements particularly of molecular screening methods, their widespread availability and the detection of multiple infections remain challenging. Hence, we developed a universally accessible and robust tool for the detection of bacterial pathogens and piroplasmid parasites of cattle.