Molecular diagnosis of sub-clinical Babesia infection in cattle by PCR

Abstract

Babesiosis is an important tick-borne haemo-protozoan disease of various domestic and wild animals throughout the world and characterized by anorexia, dullness, depression, pale mucus membranes, coffee colored urine. Microscopic examination is not suitable for detecting the carrier or chronic phases of piroplasmosis. However, it remains the most rapid confirmatory method for detecting this infection in acute phase of the disease. While PCR turned out to be a sensitive and accurate method for diagnosis of Babesiosis in animals in the early phase of infection and in carrier animals by DNA amplification. In the present investigation, a total of 105 Holstein Friesian cows (irrespective of age) were examined for diagnosis of sub-clinical Babesiosis by PCR. Out of these 105 blood samples, 23 positive cases (21.90%) have been observed for the existence of Babesiosis by PCR technique. It indicates a higher sensitivity of PCR over traditional blood smear examination, especially for detecting latent infections. This sub-clinical state is challenge to current diagnostic methods and is difficult to detect because of the low number of parasites in circulation.