A STUDY ON BOVINE BABESIOSIS AND TREATMENT WITH REFERENCE TO HEMATOBIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

This study was carried out during the period from May to December 2015 on thirty crossbred female cows in Sherbeen city, Dakahlia Governorate and two to four years of age. Twenty cows suffered from fever, anorexia, increase in respiratory and heart rates, anemia, pale to icteric mucous membranes and red urine. Babesiosis was diagnosed clinically and confirmed by detection of intra-erythrocytic stages of the Babesia in Giemsa stained blood film, polymerase chain reaction amplification (PCR) and sequencing of 18S rRNA gene. Hemoparasites were detected in thirteen blood samples by microscopic examination, whereas PCR were positive in twenty. The hematological findings revealed a marked decrease in the erythrocyte count, hematocrit %, hemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration with a significant increase in mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume values in Babesia-infected cows when compared with healthy control. On the other hand there was a significant leucopenia and thrombocytopenia along with a significant eosinophilia. The biochemical findings of infected cows revealed a significant increase in activities of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. In contrast a significant decrease in serum levels of total proteins, albumin, globulins, sodium and potassium. While serum bilirubin (total, direct and indirect), urea and creatinine levels were significantly increased. After administration of single I/M imidocarb dipropionate 12% (1.7 mg/kg BW) to Babesia infected cows, there was an improvement in hematological and biochemical parameters. It concluded that molecular detection of B. bigemina more sensitive than blood smear. Treatment infected cows with imidocarb improves the clinical signs, hematological and biochemical parameters that indicate recovery of infected cows.