The present work was carried out to determine the current epidemiology of bovine Babesiosis and
Theileriosis in Qalubia Governorate using blood film examination and PCR technique. 167 animals in
different locations in Qalubia governorate including 89 cattle and 78 buffaloes were examined clinically
and microscopically. Selected 40 samples from them were examined by PCR for detection of blood
parasites. Blood films examination revealed that, the infection rate with Babesiosis were 35.93%
(60/167) in cattle and buffaloes, 22.47% (20/89) of cattle and 51.28% (40/78) of buffaloes, while the
infection rate of Theileriosis was 11.38% (19/167) in cattle and buffaloes, 14.61% (13/89) of cattle and
7.69% (6/78) of buffaloes. Therefore, the results detected higher prevalence of Babesiosis in buffaloes
than in cattle and higher prevalence of Theileriosis in cattle than in buffaloes. Mixed parasitic infection
was recorded in 4.79% (8/167) of cattle and buffaloes. 40 Blood samples (20 cattle and 20 buffaloes)
were examined by PCR for Babesia infection. The confirmed Babesiosis infections in cattle and
buffaloes were 15/20 (75%) and 11/20 (55%) respectively by PCR assay. These results revealed that
Babesiosis infection rates among selected cattle were 40% and 75% by microscopic examination and
by PCR respectively. While the Babesiosis infection rates among selected buffaloes were 40% and 55%
by microscopic examination of blood films and by PCR respectively. Finally, the results in this study
revealed that, out of (20) apparently healthy cattle and buffaloes, PCR detect 10/20 (50%) while ME
identified only 5/20 (25%) as Babesia infected animals. Out of (20) clinically infected animals, PCR
detect 16 (80%) while ME identified only 11 (55%) as Babesia infected animals. In conclusions, the
results revealed strong evidence that PCR is much more sensitive than ME either in clinically infected
or apparently healthy animals (carriers). |
