Microscopic screening of blood parasite in East Nile Locality, Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

This study was carried out in East Nile locality, Khartoum State, Sudan as a screening study of blood parasites in cattle and sheep. For that, microscopic examination was applied. We have also investigated the effect of different blood parasites on some of the hematological parameters, namely, hemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV). Giemsa-stained blood smears reviled that, from 45 tested cattle in Selate and Kuku areas, 20 (44.5%) were positive for blood parasites, including Babesia spp. and/or other non-identified blood parasites. In 15 tested sheep in Diresab area, 7 (46.7%) were found to be positive for Babesia spp. and and/or other nonidentified blood parasites. No significant differences between Hb concentration and PCV values were reported between the infected and noninfected animals. The current study demonstrated a high prevalence of blood parasites in the study areas. Further studies are anticipated to identify the parasite species. Key Words: Blood parasites, East Nile locality, Babesia spp, Theileria spp, Anaplasma spp.