Impact of ecoclimatic zone variation on the prevalence of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in Mali

Abstract

The study took place from June 2019 to September 2020 in the Sudanoguinean, Sudanian and Sahelian ecoclimatic zones of Mali. Its aim was to determine the prevalence of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in each of these zones. A sample of 648 cattle, including 327 females and 321 males, examined for Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis parasites and their vectors, using blood and tick sampling. Microscopic examination of the blood smears revealed the presence of the Babesia bovis parasite in 200 cattle out of 648 examined, i.e. an overall prevalence rate of 30.86%, and the presence of Babesia bigemina in 156 cattle, i.e. an overall prevalence rate of 24.07%. The present study showed a significant difference in Babesia bovis prevalence between ecoclimatic zones (p<0.05). On the other hand, statistical analysis of Babesia bigemina prevalence results revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) between zones. There was no significant difference between male and female prevalence of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina (P> 0.05). The same was true for the prevalence of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina observed in the different age groups, (p>0.05). The study revealed that the Boophilus microplus species is absent in the Sahelian zone.