Clinical, seroepidemiological and hematological study of Buffaloes Babesiosis in Basrah, Iraq

Abstract

Objective: Babesiosis is one of the important diseases in cattle and buffaloes, the current study conducting to diagnoses and evaluate the infection by B.pigeamina in buffaloes during the period of November 2022 to September 2023. Methods: The study included 210 animals of both sexes and varied ages. The blood sampling from 220 water buffaloes (Bubalus Bubalis) in the north of Basrah governorate during the period of November 2022 to September 2023; the samples collected from both sexes and different ages ranged between 1 to 5 years. At these ten months 20 blood samples was randomly collected each month to compared with the control 10 animals. Results: The blood smear from infected buffaloes show the parasite clearly while the clinical signs reported as: babesiosis confirm 16% (32 affected animals) represented by fever, emaciation, anorexia, low milk production, jaundice of mucous membrane, corneal opacity and hemoglobinuria. The subclinical infected buffaloes which represented 41% (82 affected animals) appear healthy with no clinical signs. Also indicate that were no significant differences (P less than 0.05) between the infected and control group. The hematological parameters show significant differences (P less than 0.05) in RBCs count, total WBC count, deferential LC, Hb concentration and PCV in the infected buffaloes compare to the control animals while there were no significant differences (P less than 0.05) between the subclinical and control buffaloes except the RBCs count. The serological examination revealed to significant differences (P less than 0.05) in the infected group in posit to the control especially the liver enzymes and kidney function test enzymes which include: AST, ALT, ALP, BUN, creatinine and TP. Moreover, According the season and months the study detects the high infection rate in the summer while there were decrease in the infection rate in the mild or cold weather months. Moreover, the study indicates the high infection percentage in females compare to the male sex. Conclusion: Babesiosis is very important disease in Buffaloes in north of Basrah and there are no significant differences in infection rates between male and female.