Abstract:
A cross-sectional study was conducted during period which extended from April to June 2011, to determine the prevalence of Babesia species in cattle and to identify risk factors for babesiosis infection in cattle in five localities of Eas Darfur State. A total of 300 cattle in 27 herds were included in the study. Samples were randomly collected from selected animals, indigenous (Baggara) and cross breed cattle of both sexes. A percentage of 10 % of the cattle were positive for Babesia bigemina by microscopic examination of the Giemsa stained blood smears, while 8 % were sero-positive for Babesia bovise by indirect fluorescent antibody test. The overall prevalence was 18%. In univariate analysis the Chi-square results showed that there is significant association (p-value < 0.25) between various risk factors and disease .The prevalence of bovine babesiosis infection according to age of cattle was 5.7% in animals less than 2 years, 17.0% in animals from 2 to 4 years and 26.3% in animals more than 4 years ( p- value 0.002). The prevalence of bovine babesiosis infection according to breed of animals was 18.9% in indigenous Baggara breed which is higher than 5.3% in cross breed (p-value = 0.135). As for body condition the prevalence was 3.4% in good body condition and 19.6% in poor body condition (p-value=0.032). Our study showed that a significant association was observed between the infection and ticks count on the animals: ( p - value = 0.001). Regarding previous history of disease, the prevalence of babesiosis infection was 31.2% in previously affected animals and 16.4% in not previously affected animals ( p - value = 0.039). Considering grazing system, the prevalence was 9.0% in nomadic system, 14.8% in stationary system and 23.7% in semi nomadic system (p - value =.009). According to the geographical areas the prevalence was 27.0% in Assalaya, El Deain 22.4%, Abu Jabra 22.0%, El Fardous
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18.9% and Bahr Elarab 9.0% (p-value = 0.059). The multivariate analysis of presumed risk factors revealed age of the animals as the major risk factor associated with positivity of disease (p-value = 0 .006).The current study also illustrated that ticks count on the animals was significantly associated with babesiosis in cattle (p-value = 0.013). Grazing system was significantly associated with a lower risk of infection with Babesia species in cattle (p-value=0.047) than that associated with age and ticks count. Seven tick species were found on cattle in the study area belong to the genera Amblyomma, Boophilus, Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma.
