In Egypt, babesiosis is an endemic parasitic disease
of cattle and buffaloes caused by Babesia bovis and Babesia
bigemina. The spectrum of disease manifestation is broad, ranging
from a silent infection to fulminate malaria – like disease, resulting
in severe hemolysis and occasionally death.
Aim of work: The present study was done to detect rate of
infection with babesiosis in suspected cattle and focusing on the
zoonotic importance of the disease among humans in contact with
diseased cattle and to determine the responsible vector in the
studied areas.
Material and Methods: The study was carried out on suspected
55 native bread cattle and 80 human cases in contact with them and
80 engorged female ticks collected from diseased cattle and
surrounding environment. Clinical examinations, thin blood film
stained with Giemsa and IFAT for IgG detection were done for
cattle and humans and C.B.C was done for human cases. Collected
ticks were identified using wing dissecting microscope and
identification keys, haemolymph smears were stained and
examined for babesiosis.
Results: It was found that 36 (65.5%) of cattle were positive by
Giemsa stained blood film, 38 (69.1%) by IFAT, 34 (61.8%) by
both stained blood film and IFAT (IgG) and the total positivity was
40 (72.7%). In human cases 8 (10%) were positive by Giemsa
stained blood film, 4 (5%) by IFAT for B. bigemina IgG, 3 (3.8%)
by both blood film and IFAT (IgG) and total positivity was 9
(11.2%). There was no significant difference between infected and
non infected human cases as regards erythrogram and platelet
variables, and the positivity was higher in the age group ( 40y) it
was found that 80% of isolated ticks showed kinetes of Babesia
parasites.
Conclusion: This study highlights the infection rate among
selected cattle and humans in close contact. It is concluded that
babesiosis is a zoonotic disease and IFAT is a reliable and valid
technique for determining infection rate in humans and is
recommended for screening blood donors to guard against transfusion
transmitted babesiosis.
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