Prevalence and Risk Factor of Bovine Babesiosis in South Darfur State, Sudan

Abstract

Bovine babesiosis also known as red water, or tick fever is the worldwide most important arthropod-borne disease of cattle that causes significant morbidity and mortality. It is caused by intra-erythrocytic protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia, which is transmitted by ticks and affects a wide range of domestic and wild animals and occasionally humans. Two important Babesia species; B.bigemina and B. bovis infect cattle. They are widespread in tropical and subtropical areas including South Darfur State, Sudan and are transmitted by one host tick Rhipicephalus species. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November to December 2016 to assess the prevalence of bovine babesiosis in Nyala town, South Darfur State, Sudan. In addition, the risk factors could be associated with the disease were also investigated. A total of 300 blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of cattle. The overall prevalence of bovine babesiosis was 59.3% (178/300) using microscopic examination of Geimsa stained blood smear. A significant variation in the prevalence of bovine babesiosis (P<0.05) was observed between the areas (Slaughter house, Animal fauna and Farm). The higher prevalence rate was recorded in male (65.3%) compared with female (58.1%). The increased in the prevalence rate was also recorded in young animals (62.5%) followed by adult (58.6%). According to the body condition, the highest prevalence rate was recorded in animals with poor body condition (64.3%). No significant (P˃0.05) association was observed between the infection with Babesiosis and age, sex and body condition Regarding mix-infection, 94.4% of infected animals showed infection with both Babesia spp. and other blood parasite, while 5.6% of infected animals were infected with Babesia spp. only. A significant increase in the prevalence rated was observed in the cross breed cattle (74%) compared with the local breed (52%). This significant was also reported in animal treated with a combination of drugs (74%) compared with animal treated with one drug only (52%). The infection with Babesia was higher in the animal not infested with ticks (60.5%) compared with animal infested with ticks (55.8%). This fact could be refers to the miss using of acaricide in this area.