Prevalence of Anaplasma marginale and Ehrlichia ruminantium in wild grasscutter’ specific ticks in southern Côte d’Ivoire

Ticks are vectors for numerous pathogens in mammals. Two species i.e., Ixodes (I.) aulacodi, Rhipicephalus (R.) simpsoni are specifically found in the cane rat, a large rodent whose meat is appreciated by ivorian population. To reduce the risk of contamination of hunters and consumers, two pathogens, Anaplasma marginale and Ehrlichia ruminantium, were sought in 1,017 ticks (717 I. aulacodi and 300 R. simpsoni) collected from 150 wild grasscutters from 8 regions in southern Côte d’Ivoire. Analyses were carried out at CIRDES in Bobo-Dioulasso by semi-nested PCR. I. aulacodi carried A. marginale with an overall prevalence of 1.13%, while R. simpsoni did not host it. Regarding E. ruminantium, its prevalence was 2.28% for I. aulacodi and R. 10.80% for R. simpsoni. Concerning regions, A. marginale was found in I. aulacodi from Agneby-Tiassa and Mé with respective prevalences of 1.85% and 6%. As for E. ruminantium, prevalences of 5.31%, 3.13%, 3%, 2.57%, and 2.44% were found in I. aulacodi respectively in regions of Agneby-Tiassa, Grands Ponts, the Autonomous District of Yamoussoukro, Bélier, and Mé. Finally, ticks of the species R. simpsoni carrying E. ruminantium were present in all regions except Lôh Djiboua. The lowest prevalence was obtained in Grand Ponts (7.17%) and the highest value (20.63%) in Agneby-Tiassa. This study confirms the presence of A. marginale and E. ruminantium in grasscutters’ ticks in southern Côte d’Ivoire. Further study should be considered to verify its presence and pathogenicity in grasscutters.