The use of different diagnostic tools for Babesia and Theileria parasites in cattle in Menofia, Egypt

Abstract

Bovine piroplasmosis is caused by tick-borne hemoprotozoans of the genera Babesia and Theileria and is the most prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, causing a major economic impact worldwide. In the current study, a total of 405 cattle of different ages, sexes, and breeds were randomly sampled for surveying and diagnosis of babesiosis and theileriosis using three methods: direct microscopy (blood smears), indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Giemsa-stained blood smears revealed that, out of 405 examined cattle, 33 (8.15 %) were infected with Babesia sp. and 65 (16.05 %) with Theileria sp. (total number of infected cattle was 98). Mixed infection was seen in 11 (2.72 %) animals. Moreover, application of the three diagnostic assays on 158 randomly sampled cattle indicated that 17 (10.76 %) and 33 (20.89 %) were positive for Babesia and Theileria spp. by the direct smear technique, 25 (15.82 %) and 33 (20.89 %) by IFAT (fluorescence was greenish yellow for Babesia and yellowish for Theileria), and 20 (12.66 %) and 38 (24.05 %) by PCR. Using primers specific for Babesia and Theileria spp., we found that diagnostic bands appeared at ~350 and ~370 bp, respectively indicating the presence of these piroplasms. Statistically, there was a non-significant difference of the positivity in response to the three techniques; thus, any of these methods can be described as useful for diagnosing blood parasites in both domesticated animals and birds. On the basis of the obtained results, it could be concluded that direct microscopy can be used in acute infections, whereas IFAT and PCR are useful in chronicity.

Epidemiological, Clinical and Diagnostic Studies on Blood Parasites in Cattle and Buffaloes in ElBehera Provence

“…Incidence of Babesia bigemina was 9.45%. This result nearly similar to the results obtained by Liu et al, (2014) who revealed that 7.3% (19/260) of cattle were positive for B. bigemina .This result disagree with the results obtained by Nayel et al, (2012) found that 54 (19%) were positive using direct smear and 62 (22.5%) were positive using PCR.…”

“…However, less sensitivity makes it difficult to detect carrier cases or chronic phases of piroplasmosis (Biswa et al, 2016). In addition negative microscopic examination does not exclude the possibility of infection (Nayel et al, 2012).…”

Molecular biological identification of Babesia, Theileria, and Anaplasma species in cattle in Egypt using PCR assays, gene sequence analysis and a novel DNA microarray

“…Ibrahim et al (2013) reported a prevalence of B. bigemina and B. bovis in cattle in Beheira and Faiyum, Egypt of 5.30% and 3.97%, respectively. Adel (2007), Nayel et al (2012) and El-Fayomy et al (2013) reported that Babesia spp. were detected in 11.31%, 8.15%, and 23% of cattle in Gharbia, Menofia and Port Said Governorates, Egypt, respectively.…”

Detection of Theileria annulata in blood samples of native cattle by PCR and smear method in Southeast of Iran

“…Smear method is associated with technical problems and even wrong diagnosing and has low sensitivity in diagnosing carrier cattle (Nayel et al 2012).…”