A study on the determination of risk factors associated with babesiosis and prevalence ofBabesiasp., by PCR amplification, in small ruminants from Southern Punjab (Pakistan)

Abstract

Babesiosis is a parasitic infection due to the multiplication of tick borne parasite, Babesia sp., in erythrocytes of host, which includes a wide variety of vertebrates including small ruminants causing decreased livestock output and hence economic losses. The objective of the present study was to establish a PCR based method for the detection of Babesia sp. in small ruminant population in Southern Punjab and to determine the risk factors involve in the spread of babesiosis. A total of 107 blood samples were collected from 40 sheep and 67 goats in seven districts of Southern Punjab from randomly selected herds. Data on the characteristics of the animals and the herd were collected through questionnaires. 36 blood samples (34% of total) produced the DNA fragment specific for 18S rRNA gene of Babesia sp., by PCR amplification, of which 20 were sheep and 16 were goats. Samples from all seven district contained Babesia positive samples and prevalence varied between 18 to 68%. It was observed that male animals (P = 0.009) and young animals under one year of age (P = 0.01) were more prone to the parasite. It was observed that herds consist of more than 15 animals (P = 0.007), composed of mixed species of small ruminants (P = 0.022), associated with dogs (P = 0.003) and dogs having ticks on their bodies (P = 0.011) were among the major risk factors for the spread of babesiosis in small ruminants.

Prevalence of piroplasms in small ruminants in North-West Tunisia and the first genetic characterisation ofBabesia ovisin Africa

“…This is contrary to the findings in Pakistan [23], where the prevalence in animals aged less than one year was higher. No difference was detected in B. ovis prevalence between males and females ( p  > 0.05); our results are contradictory to other surveys reporting that the prevalence in male sheep and goats was higher than females [23].…”

Detection of Babesia bovis in blood samples and its effect on the hematological and serum biochemical profile in large ruminants from Southern Punjab

“…in large ruminants but parasite detection was not carried out in ticks found on the animals under study. A similar trend of tick infestation and babesiosis was previously reported by Iqbal et al [5] and Ghosh et al [26] .…”

“…However, serology for detecting carrier state lacks specificity and sensitivity, especially for infection status [17][18][19][20][21] . Therefore, DNA amplification methods, which are more sensitive and specific than other conventional methods may facilitate and be used as a powerful tool for the diagnosis of babesiosis [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] .…”

A comparison of two different techniques for the detection of blood parasite,Theileria annulata, in cattle from two districts in Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa Province (Pakistan)

“…Inorganic method of DNA extraction was used following Iqbal et al (2011) and Zulfiqar et al (2012). The quality of the DNA extract in regard to purity and integrity was assessed with optical density counts at 260/280 nm and submerged gel electrophoresis.…”