Prevalence of Haemoprotozoan infections in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Haemoprotozoan species of bovines and canines in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh State. A total of 1,035 blood samples were examined for the presence of different haemoprotozoan parasites by Giemsa staining. Out of 1,035 blood samples, 190 (18.36%) samples were positive on blood smear examination by Giemsa staining technique. Out of 769 samples screened in bovine, 109 (14.2%) were found positive on blood smear examination for various blood protozoans. In Bovines, PCR was performed to detect only Theileria and Babesia. Out of 210 blood samples, 111 (52.86%) were found positive by PCR in bovines. Further, on blood smear examination in bovines out of 109 positives, Theleria-56 (51.38%) followed by Babesia-42 (38.53%), Tryps-6 (5.50%), Anaplasma-4 (3.67%) and Microfilaria-1 (0.92%) were reported. But on PCR, Theleria-64 (57.66) & Babesia-47 (42.34%) were reported. In canines, out of 266 samples screened in canines, 81 samples (30.45%) showed positive on blood smear examination with Geimsa staining technique. On PCR, out of 337 samples screened in canines, 89 (26.41%) samples were positive to various blood haemoprotozoans. Out of 81 positives on blood smear examination includes Babesia canis-38 (46.91%) followed by Babesia gibsoni-24(29.63%), E.canis-11(13.58%) and H.canis-8 (9.88%). Similarly, out of 89 positives on PCR revealed Babesia canis-49 (55.05%) followed by Babesia gibsoni-26 (29.21%), Ehrlichia.canis-14 (15.73%) respectively.