Prevalence and Risk Factors of Tick Borne Blood Parasites in Calves in North Gezira Area, Gezira State, Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted in North Gezira area – Gezira State to investigate the prevalence of tick borne blood parasites in calves and to assess the association between theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis and the risk factors (locality, breed, sex, age, body condition, tick infestation, use of acaricides, use of prophylactic treatment and presence of dogs). A total of 390 blood samples were collected from five localities namely Al-masudiyeh, Al-jadid althawra, Al-masid, Al-naapti and Al-nuba from March to April 2021. The samples were examined in laboratory microscopicly using Giemsa stain. The results showed that the prevalence of theileriosis was 41.2 %, babesiosis was 7.2% and anaplasmosis was 9%. Univariate analysis for the results was done using chi-square test showing no correlation between prevalence of theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis and risk factors except there was significant association between theileriosis and ticks infestation(Chi-square = 5.738 ; P-value 0.017) and presence of dogs (Chi-square = 18.100 ; P-value = 0.000). While ticks infestation (Chi-square =4.937 ; P-value = 0.026) was associated with babesiosis. Also usage of acarecide (Chi-square = 4.862 ; P-value =0.027) and prophylactic treatment (Chi-square = 8.690 ; P-value = 0.000) were as associated with disease. But presence of dogs (Chi-square = 8.121 ; P-value = 0.004) was associated with anaplasmosis. When multivariate logistic regression was done to risk factors after univariate analysis, the result revealed that Presence of ticks was more associated with theileriosis (Exp(B) = 1.776; P-value = 0.011) and babesiosis (Exp(B) 3.206 ; P-value 0.024). Whereas presence of dogs associated with Theileria infection (Exp(B) = 0.236 ; P-value = 0.000) and Anaplasma infection (Exp(B) = 0.328 ; P-value = 0.007). This study confirmed that tick-borne blood parasites were endemic in North Gezira area. The tick-borne blood parasites in calves of high economic importance by treatment of these diseases.