Seroprevalence Of Babesiosis Research Articles

Sero epidemiological study on bovine babesiosis in cattle and buffaloes in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.

Bovine babesiosis represents a serious challenge for animal health, herd production, and profitability. Understanding the epidemiology and risk factors associated with babesiosis is critical to reduce their negative impacts. Investigation of the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Babesia bigemina (B. bigemina) and Babesia bovis (B. bovis) in five districts in Sharkia governorate using ELISA. Across-sectional research was conducted to determine the seropositivity of babesiosis by collecting a total of 352 blood samples from 250 cattle and 102 buffaloes. A multivariate logistic regression model was implemented to evaluate the strength of the risk factors associated with both Babesia species infection. The seroprevalence of B. bigemina and B. bovis was 42.6% and 17.0 %, respectively. The prevalence of babesiosis in cattle was found to be 48.8% for B. bigemina and 16.8% for B. bovis. Inclusive, in buffaloes, the prevalence was 27.5% for B. bigemina and 17.6% for B. bovis. Adult animals were more vulnerable to infection with babesia than young animals by 3-5 times, respectively. Males were more susceptible to B. bigemina and B. bovis than females by 3.7 and 3.5 times. Similarly, the odds of infection in infested animals with ticks were 2-4 times higher than in animals without ticks. The obtained results revealed that age, sex of the animal, and tick infestation were major risk factors for the seropositivity of both Babesia species. Inclusive, there was no evidence to support the premise that seroprevalence of babesiosis is correlated with the season and species.

Seroprevalence of Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis in Apparently Healthy Large Ruminants of Punjab, India

Bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis are two important enzootic, tick-borne diseases of cattle in India. The present study reports the seroprevalence of Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale infection in bovines from different district of Punjab, India. A total of 184 serum samples from six districts of Punjab were evaluated for the presence of antibodies to both the parasitic antigens using a commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit. The overall seroprevalence of B. bigemina and A. marginale was 30.9 and 20.6 % respectively, out of which cattle (46 and 31.3 %) showed more prevalence than the buffaloes (5.8 and 2.9 %). A co-infection percentage of 14.1 (24 cattle and 2 buffaloes) were also observed. These results may serve as a support either in prevention or control of the diseases.

Influence of dipping practices on the seroprevalence of babesiosis and anaplasmosis in the foot-and-mouth disease buffer zone adjoining the Kruger National Park in South Africa

A serological survey of bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis was conducted in the foot-and-mouth disease buffer zone surrounding the Kruger National Park in South Africa between 2001 and 2003 to determine whether the withdrawal of government-subsidized dipping in certain regions had affected the seroprevalence of these tick-borne diseases. Seroprevalence of Anaplasma marginale and Babesia bovis increased during the study period. This increase was greater in Limpopo Province where farmers had to supply their own acaricide than in Mpumalanga Province where dipping materials were provided by the local Veterinary Services. The number of animals testing positive for B. bigemina decreased in both provinces during the study period, which was attributed to possible vector displacement rather than more effective tick control measures. Responses to a questionnaire on ticks and tick-borne diseases revealed local knowledge on the subject to be highly variable and sometimes incorrect.

Slide Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Diagnosis of Babesia bigemina Infection in Bovines

A slide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SELISA) for the diagnosis of Babesia bigemina infection in cattle was standardized. Acetone-fixed whole Babesia bigemina-infected erythrocytes on micro-slides were immunoreacted with bovine serum samples followed by antibovine horseradish peroxidase conjugate and developed using diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride as a substrate. The positive immunoreactivity (staining pattern) was visualized in the form of dark brown piroplasms. Using the laboratory-standardized SELISA with a sensitivity of 94.4%, the seroprevalence of babesiosis was studied in cattle from two endemic areas of the disease. In comparison to IFAT, SELISA detected higher number of serum samples positive for bovine babesiosis.

The effect of short-interval deltamethrin applications to control tsetse on the seroprevalence of babesiosis in cattle.

For the past decade, treatment of cattle with 0.00375% deltamethrin (Decatix, Coopers) at two-weekly intervals has been part of an integrated approach to counteract continuous invasion of Zimbabwe by tsetse from the Mozambique fly-belt. To determine the effect of these regular deltamethrin treatments on the epidemiology of babesiosis, a survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of antibodies against Babesia bigemina in adult communal cattle. The seroprevalence of antibodies against B. bigemina in adjacent areas, where cattle are treated with short-residual acaricides, was also determined for comparison. The prevalence of antibodies to B. bigemina was much higher in areas where dipping with a non-pyrethroid acaricide was conducted. This was attributed to the successful control of Boophilus spp. and hence a very low level of B. bigemina transmission in the 'deltamethrin treatment zone'. This low level of disease transmission was confirmed by the low prevalence of antibodies against B. bigemina in sentinel cattle that were introduced to the 'deltamethrin treatment zone'. The potential adverse effects of severely reducing the tick population should be taken into consideration at the onset of tsetse control operations in which cattle are to be treated with deltamethrin at short treatment intervals.

Seroprevalence of babesiosis in Greyhounds in Florida

Summary An indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to serologically survey Greyhounds from 10 kennels that are part of the racing Greyhound industry in Florida. Age of dogs ranged from 11 months to 11 years. Additionally, 50 adult non-Greyhound pet dogs were consecutively surveyed. Of 393 Greyhounds tested, 181 (46%) were seropositive for babesiosis; pet dogs were seronegative. Slightly higher percentage of seropositive males than females was observed, but this difference was only significant (P < 0.01) in the 2- to 5-year age class. Male dogs <2 years old had significantly (P < 0.01) lower seroprevalence than did male dogs >2 years old. All 46 Greyhounds that were actively racing at the time of sample collection were seronegative. Dogs were classified into 2 groups on the basis of whether the kennel owner had sought veterinary attention for anemic pups. The 5 kennel owners that had sought veterinary attention (group A) had significantly (P < 0.01) higher seroprevalence (78.5%), compared with the 5 that had not sought veterinary attention (group B; 23.0%). Seroprevalence of babesiosis in Greyhounds in Florida was comparable to that reported in a limited survey of other southeastern states. It appears to be higher than that in the pet population. Breeding kennels in Florida and other southeastern states from which anemic pups originate should be screened for babesiosis.