PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF BOVINE BABESIOSIS IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Babesiosis is a tick-borne infectious disease caused by intra-erythrocytic protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and related associated risk factors of bovine babesiosis in district Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 1258 animals (n = 532 buffaloes; n = 726 cattle) were sampled through random sampling technique and analyzed for the detection of inclusion bodies resembling babesiosis through thin smear microscopy. Risk factors regarding breed, specie, age, month of the year, gender, and season were statistically analyzed using chi-square test on SPSS to find the association of different risk factors with the occurrence of this protozoan pathogen. The study has revealed an overall 34.02% prevalence of babesiosis in bovines in district Lahore. The infection rate was statistically insignificant (P>0.05) in cattle�s (34.57%) compared to buffaloes (33.27%). The females are at more risk of having babesiosis as compared to males in cattle (OR=01.24, CI=0.82-1.89) as well as buffaloes (OR=01.32, CI=0.81-2.14). The study concludes that babesiosis is prevalent in study district and adult animas and summer months were found significantly associated with the occurrence of this tick-borne disease. These study findings will aid in establishment of better strategies for prevention and control of disease.