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. 2011 Aug;18(3):229-34.
doi: 10.1051/parasite/2011183229.

A study on the determination of risk factors associated with babesiosis and prevalence of Babesia sp., by PCR amplification, in small ruminants from Southern Punjab (Pakistan)

F Iqbal  1 , M Fatima, S Shahnawaz, M Naeem, Rs Shaikh, M Ali, As Shaikh, M Aktas, M Ali
Affiliations

A study on the determination of risk factors associated with babesiosis and prevalence of Babesia sp., by PCR amplification, in small ruminants from Southern Punjab (Pakistan)

F Iqbal et al. Parasite. 2011 Aug.

Abstract
in English, French

Babesiosis is a parasitic infection due to the multiplication of tick borne parasite, Babesia sp., in erythrocytes of host, which includes a wide variety of vertebrates including small ruminants causing decreased livestock output and hence economic losses. The objective of the present study was to establish a PCR based method for the detection of Babesia sp. in small ruminant population in Southern Punjab and to determine the risk factors involve in the spread of babesiosis. A total of 107 blood samples were collected from 40 sheep and 67 goats in seven districts of Southern Punjab from randomly selected herds. Data on the characteristics of the animals and the herd were collected through questionnaires. 36 blood samples (34% of total) produced the DNA fragment specific for 18S rRNA gene of Babesia sp., by PCR amplification, of which 20 were sheep and 16 were goats. Samples from all seven district contained Babesia positive samples and prevalence varied between 18 to 68%. It was observed that male animals (P = 0.009) and young animals under one year of age (P = 0.01) were more prone to the parasite. It was observed that herds consist of more than 15 animals (P = 0.007), composed of mixed species of small ruminants (P = 0.022), associated with dogs (P = 0.003) and dogs having ticks on their bodies (P = 0.011) were among the major risk factors for the spread of babesiosis in small ruminants.

La babésiose est une infection due à la multiplication du parasite Babesia sp., transmis par des tiques, dans les érythrocytes de nombreux hôtes vertébrés dont les petits ruminants, chez qui il est responsable d’importantes pertes de productivité. Les objectifs de l’étude étaient de mettre au point une méthode de détection de Babesia sp., reposant sur la PCR, dans des populations de petits ruminants du Penjab du Sud, et de determiner les facteurs de risque impliqués dans la diffusion de la babésiose. 107 échantillons de sang ont été prélevés de façon aléatoire chez 40 ovins et 67 caprins dans des troupeaux de sept districts du Penjab du Sud. Les données concernant les caractéristiques des animaux et des troupeaux ont été collectées à l’aide d’un questionnaire. 36 échantillons de sang (34 % du total) ont révélé la présence du gène spécifique de l’ARNr 18S de Babesia sp., par amplification par PCR, chez 20 ovins et 16 caprins. Des échantillons positifs pour Babesia ont été trouvés dans les sept districts, avec une fréquence variant de 18 à 68 %. Les animaux de sexe mâle (P = 0,009) et les jeunes de moins d’un an (P = 0,01) étaient les plus touchés par le parasite. Les principaux facteurs de risque de diffusion de la babésiose chez les petits ruminants sont : les troupeaux de plus de 15 têtes (P = 0,007), composés d’un mélange de plusieurs espèces (P = 0,022), associés à la presence de chiens (P = 0,003) et à des chiens porteurs de tiques (P = 0,011).

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Map of Punjab. Sampling sites in southern Punjab are marked with circles.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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