Direct blood PCR detection of Babesia bigemina and its effect on haematological and biochemical profile in crossbred cattle of eastern Haryana

Abstract

The present study aimed to diagnose Babesia bigemina in naturally infected crossbred cows and to determine its effect on haemato-biochemical profile of host animals. Blood samples from lactating crossbred cows (n=30) between 3-6 years of age and showing clinical signs of babesiosis were collected, with or without anticoagulant, and analyzed for the protozoa by direct smear, direct blood PCR detection of the apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) gene specific amplicon of B. bigemina and estimation of haematological and biochemical parameters. Healthy crossbred cows (n=10), examined free from haemoprotozoan infections were included as control. Blood Direct PCR revealed a 448-bp amplified fragment. Out of 150 random blood samples screened, (27/150) 18% were positive under light microscope, whereas direct blood PCR revealed (39/150) 26% samples positive for B. bigemina. The result shows higher specificity and sensitivity of PCR test over blood smear examination. The infected group showed significantly (p<0.001) decreased levels of TEC (3.04±0.19), Hb (4.78±0.27) and PCV (14.53 ±0.87) than healthy control animals. However, differences in the red blood cell indices (MCV, MCH and MCHC) were non-significant (p>0.05) between the groups indicating normocytic hypochromic anaemia in affected crossbred cattle. Serum samples of infected cows showed significantly (p<0.01) higher values of ALT (78.83±8.95), AST (146.13±7.62), BUN (27.09±1.02), creatinine (1.93±0.1) and TBIL (1.42±0.06) than that of healthy control. A significant decrease (p<0.01) of TSP (6.12±0.13) and albumin (2.39±0.09) was also recorded in the infected cows compare to healthy control. The standardized blood direct PCR method of the present investigation may be useful for rapid and reliable diagnosis of B. bigemina in conjunction with microscopic examination. Moreover, marked changes in haematological and serum biochemical profile observed in B. bigemina infected crossbred cows may be useful in understanding disease pathogenesis and undertaking necessary corrective measures.

Comparative evaluation of different diagnostic tests for B. gibsoni in dogs

“…B. gibsoni infection is often subclinical therefore it goes unnoticed in microscopic examination. Direct blood PCR detected 26 % (39/150) positivity for babesiosis whereas, 18% (27/150) of samples were positive under microscopic examination (Ganguly et al, 2017). In comparison to microscopy, PCR detected more infection which is in agreement with the findings of other workers (Gotsch et al, 2009;O'Dwyer et al, 2009;Amuta et al, 2010;Ionita et al, 2012;Laha et al, 2014).…”

Optimization of Conditions for Cultivation of Babesia bigemina -infected RBCs

“…Optimization of Conditions for Cultivation of Babesia bigemina -infected RBCs concurrent with previously reported study (Hamoda et al, 2014). Another study on cattle infected with B. bigemina showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in HDL level and a non-significant decrease in the levels of other serum lipids (Ganguly et al, 2017). According to some previous studies, changes in lipid profiles were recorded non-significantly but our results noted only significant increase (P<0.05) in the concentrations of triglycerides when compared with control group and the standards values (Razavi et al, 2012).…”

Molecular diagnosis and biochemical studies of tick-borne diseases (anaplasmosis and babesiosis) in Aberdeen Angus Cattle in New Valley, Egypt

“…The results showed significantly elevated serum urea and creatinine levels. This finding could reflect indirect renal tissue damage and the existence of globin catabolites released from hemoglobin breakdown by the reticuloendothelial system through erythrophagocytosis [ 20 ] accompanied by hypoxia leading to glomerular dysfunction [ 33 ] as well as nephropathy and immune-mediated glomerulonephritis [ 34 ].…”