Recent acquisitions on tick and tick-borne disease resistance in N'dama (Bos taurus) and Gobra zebu (Bos indicus) cattle.

The use of disease resistant breeds is recognised as an economically realistic alternative to acaricide application and drug administration in tick and tick-borne disease control schemes. Although resistance is mainly associated with zebu (Bos indicus) breeds, studies carried out in The Gambia show a higher resistance to ticks and tick-borne diseases in N'dama (Bos taurus) than in Gobra (B. indicus) cattle. Tick resistance in N'dama breed appears to be effective against those species with long hypostome, such as Amblyomma variegatum and Hyalomma spp. The possible mechanisms involved are discussed. Further investigations are identified to assess the economic value of tick and tick-borne disease resistance in the N'dama breed.

Mattioli RC ，Dempfle L 《-》

Immunogenetic influences on tick resistance in African cattle with particular reference to trypanotolerant N'Dama (Bos taurus) and trypanosusceptible Gobra zebu (Bos indicus) cattle.

In sub-Saharan Africa, tick infestation and tick-borne infections together with tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis arguably constitute the main parasitological disease complex constraining livestock production. Resistance to tick attack and tick-borne micro-organisms (TBMs) varies among different breeds of cattle. The magnitude of losses due to these parasites is related to an extent to the degree of breed resistance. Generally, zebu (Bos indicus) cattle possess a higher resistance to ticks and TBMs than European (Bos taurus) cattle. The host's immune system would appear to be the single most important factor that regulates this resistance. This paper reports on the main effector immune mechanisms governing resistance against ticks and TBMs. The cellular immune response appears more effective and stable than humoral immunity in modulating resistance to ticks and TBMs. Similarities between the immune mechanisms employed by trypanotolerant N'Dama (B. taurus) cattle, when infected with trypanosomes, and those elicited by tick bites and TBMs seem to exist, particularly at the skin level in the early phases of parasitic invasion. Moreover, there is evidence that in the N'Dama breed, resistance against ticks per se also has a genetic basis. Therefore, the N'Dama appears to be a unique breed in that it exhibits resistance to several parasitic diseases and/or infections, including helminths, when compared to other cattle breeds in West Africa. It is concluded that the multi-parasite resistant traits of the N'Dama breed should be exploited in those areas where trypanosomosis, ticks and tick-borne diseases constrain animal production. This should be of benefit for low-input farming systems where the use of chemicals for prophylaxis and therapy is limited by their relatively high cost. Additionally, the potential contribution of multiple disease resistant N'Dama cattle should be considered in crossbreeding programmes with exotic dairy breeds for increasing milk production in West Africa.

Mattioli RC ，Pandey VS ，Murray M ，Fitzpatrick JL ... -  《ACTA TROPICA》

Susceptibility to different tick genera in Gambian N'Dama and Gobra zebu cattle exposed to naturally occurring tick infestations.

Tick collection on one side of the body and whole tail was performed weekly over one year on 11 Gambian N'Dama (Bos taurus) and 11 Gobra zebu (Bos indicus) cattle to assess breed susceptibility to naturally occurring ticks. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay was also performed to assess the serological prevalence of Anaplasma marginale antigen and Babesia bigemina antibody. Packed red cell volume was measured and liveweight gain was recorded. Significantly higher numbers of Amblyomma variegatum (P < 0.002) and Hyalomma spp. (P < 0.001) were found on Gobra zebu than on N'Dama cattle. The serological prevalence of A. marginale antigen was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in N'Dama breed, whilst no difference in the serological prevalence of B. bigemina antibody was found between N'Dama and Gobra cattle. Packed red cell volume was negatively affected by A. marginale infection in both breeds, but to a lesser extent in N'Dama cattle. Liveweight gain was significantly (P < 0.003) higher in N'Dama in comparison with Gobra cattle during the period of abundance of A. variegatum and Hyalomma spp. adults. The significantly lower burdens of A. variegatum and Hyalomma spp. ticks in Gambian N'Dama in comparison with Gobra zebu cattle confirms previous findings. It also shows a more deleterious effect of ticks and tick-borne diseases on animal production and health in Gobra zebu than in N'Dama cattle. The presence of a tick resistant trait in N'Dama cattle is suggested.

Mattioli RC ，Bah M ，Kora S ，Cassama M ，Clifford DJ ... -  《TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION》

Experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection on naturally occurring ticks in N'dama and Gobra zebu cattle.

The effects of experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection in Gambian N'dama and Gobra zebu cattle on number of naturally-occurring adult ticks attaching were studied. An indirect fluorescent antibody test was performed to detect serological prevalence of Cowdria ruminantium antibody. The intravenously imposed trypanosome infection did not result in significant (P > 0.05) differences in Amblyomma variegatum and Hyalomma spp. infestations between control and infected N'dama cattle. Control N'damas carried significantly (P < 0.001) lower numbers of A. variegatum and Hyalomma spp. than the control zebus. Serological frequency of C. ruminantium antibody was similar in both control or infected N'dama and in control or infected zebu cattle. No deaths occurred among N'dama cattle, while all six trypanosome infected zebus progressively died within nine weeks post-infection but trypanosomosis was excluded as the primary cause of death. Examined Giemsa-stained blood smears were negative for the presence of tick-borne micro-organisms. Four positive cases of cowdriosis were identified during post-mortem examination. It was concluded that N'damas, even when submitted to trypanosome infection, react consistently better than Gobra zebus to tick attachment. These results emphasize the benefits of rearing disease resistant cattle breeds, such as N'dama, in areas where risks of trypanosomosis and cowdriosis coexist.

Mattioli RC ，Faye JA ，Bah M ，Jabang B ... -  《-》

Trypanosome infections and tick infestations: susceptibility in N'Dama, Gobra zebu and Gobra x N'Dama crossbred cattle exposed to natural challenge and maintained under high and low surveillance of trypanosome infections.

Susceptibility to trypanosome infections and tick infestations was assessed in 51 N'Dama, 48 Gobra zebu and 37 Gobra x N'Dama crossbred (F1) cattle exposed to field-tick infestations and natural high tsetse challenge over more than one year. From these cattle, 12 animals of each breed were randomly selected and examined parasitologically for trypanosome infections and packed cell volume (PCV) twice a week (high surveillance, group HS). In the remaining 100 cattle trypanosome infection and PCV were monitored monthly (low surveillance, group LS). Mortality rates were recorded in both groups. Tick infestation was quantified fortnightly from all animals in group HS and from four to seven randomly selected animals of each breed in group LS. In both HS and LS groups, trypanocidal drug treatment was administered to trypanosome positive animals with PCV equal to or less than 20% or when they showed clinical evidence (dullness, weight loss) of trypanosomosis. In both groups, N'Dama cattle exhibited a superior capacity to control trypanosome infections and limit tick burdens. Particularly, in group HS N'Dama cattle showed lower trypanosome infection rate, higher mean PCV value, lower requirement for trypanocide treatments and lower tick load than crossbred and Gobra cattle in the corresponding group (P < 0.05 or greater). This was also true in N'Damas in comparison with crossbreds in group LS. Unfortunately, the high mortality occurring in Gobra cattle in group LS did not allow within group comparative analysis between N'Dama, Gobra and crossbred cattle overall the study period. No death occurred in N'Dama cattle maintained under high surveillance of trypanosome infection, while approximately 8% of crossbreds and 50% of Gobras died of trypanosomosis. In group LS, all Gobra and more than 70% of crossbred cattle died. In this group, mortality in N'Dama was limited to less than 16%. In both groups, differences in mortality were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in Gobras than in N'Damas. Within breed, animals of the three breeds maintained under high surveillance of trypanosomal infection showed higher mean PCV values, lower tick burdens and required proportionally less trypanocide treatments than corresponding cattle in group LS. The infection rate in N'Dama under high surveillance was lower in comparison with N'Dama cattle in group LS. There was no significant difference in mortality between groups within the N'Dama breed. Conversely, mortality rates were lower in crossbred and Gobra in group HS than in respective cattle in group LS. It was concluded that cattle of the three breeds suffered from trypanosomosis and that trypanosome infections affected tick susceptibility. However, N'Dama showed a superior ability to limit both the pathological effects of trypanosomosis and the level of tick infestations. Therefore, considering the cost of labour and consumable equipment required for a high surveillance, use of multi-disease resistant N'Dama cattle is recommended for the low-input traditional African farming systems in areas where trypanosomosis, ticks and tick-borne diseases are constraints to livestock production. Additional comparative investigations are needed to assess the impact of high surveillance scheme of trypanosome infection in different production systems in trypanotolerant and trypanosusceptible cattle exposed to different gradients of tsetse challenge.

Mattioli RC ，Jaitner J ，Clifford DJ ，Pandey VS ，Verhulst A ... -  《ACTA TROPICA》