PREVALENCE OF SUBCLINICAL HAEMOPROTOZOAL INFECTIONS IN CATTLE

Abstract

The study was carried out at Sadar Upazila of Noakhali district to know the proportional prevalence of haemoprotozal infections in cattle along with their risk factors. Between November to December’ 2009, a total of 150 bovine blood samples were collected from randomly selected dairy farms (n=12) along with a preset questionnaire to record the different parameters associated with the diseases. Thin blood smears on glass slides were made from the blood of ear vein, fixed in 100% methyl alcohol and stained with Giemsa staining. Microscopic examination revealed that the overall haemoprotozoal infections was 16% where Babesia sp. 9.34%, Anaplasma maraginale 1.33% and Theileria sp. was 5.33% as proportional prevalence in the studied area. Among different risk factors, it was observed that females are more susceptible to blood parasitic diseases. In local X Sahiwal cross bred, the prevalence was 33.33% which showed a good resistance to the blood parasitic infections against Babesiosis (9.34 %), Anaplasmosis (1.33%) and Theiliriosis (5.33%). Cattle of 2.6 to 5 years of age were more susceptible (29.17%) to blood protozoal infection than other category of animals. Nutritional status that is animal having BCS (Body Condition Score) 2.75 - 3, were more prone to the blood protozoal inflections.