Animal level risk factors associated with Babesia and Theileria infections in cattle in Egypt

Abstract

In present study, blood samples were collected randomly from 439 cows at three main regions of Egypt (northern, central and southern). Molecular diagnosis of Babesia and Theileria infections by PCR amplification of DNA (gene) fragments, then cloning and sequencing of the positive samples were conducted. A questionnaire was created to imply the assumed risk factors and logistic regression statistical analysis was carried out to appraise the potential factors on the animal level. The results revealed that 49 (11.16%) and 45 (10.25%) cattle were infected with Babesia and Theileria parasites, respectively. B. bigemina (7.97%) and T. annulata (9.56%) were the most prevalent parasites. For Babesia sp., final multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between the infection and irregular use of antiprotozoal drugs (P = 0.003; OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.12-0.65), management practice (P = 0.029; OR: 6.66; 95% CI: 1.21-36.59) and ecology area (P = 0.006; OR: 5.62; 95% CI: 1.63-19.31). However, for Theileria sp. infection, animal breed (P = 0.003; OR: 0.44; 95% CI: .45-1.00) and irregular use of antiprotozoal drugs (P<0.001; OR: 4.22; 95% CI: 2.62-5.60) were the potential risk factors. The results of the present study declare the prevalent bovine Babesia and Theileria sp. in Egypt based on molecular description. An impression on the potential risk factors associated with infections was obtained. Recognition of the potential risk factors associated with tick borne disease may be helpful to construct the best preventive measures.

Comparative study for diagnosis of babesiosis and theileriosis in different age groups of cattle in some localities in Egypt with treatment trials

“…The observed clinical signs in our study were similar to that described by Rizk et al (2017). We suspected that these signs were attributed to the replication of al.…”

“…While, in case of cattle treated at a Wadi Almullak farm showed bad response and so we suggested that this might due to improper application of the acaricides on the cattle skin and low hygienic surrounding environment. This also was similar to that reported by Rizk et al (2017). In addition, the uncontrolled continuous entry of new individuals increases the incidence of reinfection.…”

Competitive Risaralda, generating research alliances for development

“…With very heterogeneous values, ranging from 0.2% to 62.2% in groups between 76 and 2880 individuals from different categories. Concerning the susceptibility by age groups, there are contrasting results, some studies report that young cattle, between 1 and 2.5 years old, are more affected than cattle older than 2.5 years (Rahman et al, 2015), mainly if they are raised under intensive systems; and that crossbreed animals are more affected than animals of Friesian and native breeds (Rizk et al, 2017;Jaimes, Triana y Mejía., 2017). In contrast, Roy et al, (2018), found that young cattle (less than 2 years old) had lower positive rates of B bovis and B bigemina compared to older cattle.…”

“…Ecology, management practices, presence of ticks, age, race and place of origin are potential risk factors for the presence of the parasite. Even animals raised in intensive systems have higher infection rates and there is more diversity of parasites in areas where there are not tick management practices (Santos et al, 2017;Rizk et al, 2017). In addition, in many studies co-infections are more common than single Babesia infections (Zerihun et al, 2017), which could have implications because of the potential interaction between pathogens and clinical symptom patterns (Paolettaa et al, 2018;Jirapattharasate et al, 2017).…”

“…In some countries, like Nigeria, the deficit in veterinary services, causes an indiscriminated use of medications by the producers which leads to problems with antibiotic resistance (Rizk et al, 2017). In other countries, like Vietnam, the prevalence of the disease is influenced by the importation of infected livestock that can promote the introduction of new strains, possibly compromising the development of anti Babesia immune control strategies, making evaluations prior to importation necessary (Sivakumar et al, 2018).…”