Burden of babesiosis among domestic cattle of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

A study was carried out to find out the prevalence of B. bigemina and B. boves in house hold dairies of district Bannu and Lakki Marwat, southern part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Blood samples were collected in a span of one year from January 2012 to December 2012. Thick and thin blood smear was examined under light microscope. The overall prevalence of babesiosis showed that 20.66% were positive for B. bigemina and 34% B. boves. Along the age high prevalence was found in the lower age group animals. Also female cattle showed high prevalence for both B. bigemina 23.85% and B. boves 38.07% than male cattle. Summer season was more prone to this disease than other season of the year.