PREVALENCE OF BLOOD PARASITES OF SOME FARM ANIMALS AT BEHERA PROVINCE

PREVALENCE OF BLOOD PARASITES OF SOME FARM ANIMALS AT BEHERA PROVINCE

REDA S. FADLY

Animal Health Reasearch Insitute, Domanhour branch, Behera, Egypt.                                                                                                                               

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                                            ABSTRACT

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Key words: Blood parasites, Babesia & Theileria, Cattle.

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INTRODUCTION

Blood parasites and their vectors are the most destructive diseases of our animal health and the biggest hinderness for successful production.

Piroplasmosis is highly fatal and has serious economic impact on livesstock. This disease is caused by protozoan parasites belonging to family Babesiidae and family Theileriidae of suborder piroplasmidae.

Babesisosis and theileriosis are of the most important and serious blood parasitic disease affecting animals in Egypt(Ashmawy, et al., 1998; Radwan and El Kelesh 2009; Mervat et al., 2010) Theilerial parasites affect a wide range of mammals mainly, ruminants and are particularly important as pathogens of domestic cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats in the tropical and sub tropical regions.

Tropical theileriosis is sever, often fatal disease caused by Theileria annulata. The parasite is transmitted by the bite of tick from Hyalomma spp.

Diagnosis Theileria spp. infection was based on the light microscopic detection of parasite in thin blood smears and presence of schizonts in stained lymph node biopsy smears (Uilenberg, 1981).

Babesiosis is a tick born disease of domestic wild animals and humanbeing. Babesia is a small protozoan found in vertebrates red blood cells.

Perfect diagnosis is essential for successful control measures, Giemsa stained blood smears was the method of choice to detect Babesia in the blood of infected animals especially in acute cases (Salem      et al., 1999).

The aim of the present work was planned to identify Theileria and Babesia Species in cattle, buffaloes and sheep and  its seasonal incidence.

MATERIALS and METHODS

Animals:

A total 800 animals from private farms located in BeheraProvince cattle, buffaloes and sheep aged between (< 1 - > 3 years) were examined for the existence of blood parasites. Samples were collected from animals showed clinical signs of the disease.

Samples:

Two blood samples were collected from the juglar vein by using steril sharp needle with wide pore used for blood smear and were collected in clean and dry test tube containing EDTA as anticoagulant.

Blood smear:

Some precautions should be taken into account like using very clean, dry glass slides, clean, dry regular edges speeder slides, sharp sterile needle, and absolute methyle alcohol.

Giemsa stain stock solution:

Giemsa powder (0.5 g) dissolved in glycerin absolute (33ml), the powder was dissolved in glycerin with vigorous shaking. Then the mixture was added to one liter methyle alcohol. The stain was transferred to a tightly stopper brown bottle and stored in dark place for two months the stain was filtered through filter paper prior to use.

Blood film:

Thin blood films were prepared and left in air to dry and fixed in absolute methyle alcohol for 1 – 2 min.

Staining with freshly filtered and diluted 10%Giemsa stain for 30 – 45 minutes then washed with distal water to remove excess of stain.

The Slides were left to dry, then put one drop of cider oil examined under oil immersion lens according to (Levine, 1985).

Examination of blood film for blood parasites:

1/4 – 1/ 2 inch from the end of the film and transferred from one side of film to other (cross – sectional method) to give constant and representative examination. Animal can be considered negative if the three slides were negative.

RESULTS

Table (1) Incidence of theileriosis and babesiosis among cattle, buffaloes and sheep ,by microscopic examination of blood smears of 800 animals (300 cattle, 200 buffaloes and 300 sheep) aged from <1 years until > 3 years at the period from May 2011 until April 2012 at Behera province. Out of 300 cattle 130 (43.3 %) were positive for blood parasites 58 (19.33%) positive forBabesia spp. and 69(23%) positive for Theileria spp. and mixed infection with Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. was 3(1 %), Out of 200 buffaloes 40 (20%) were positive for blood parasites 18 (9%) positive for Babesia spp., 20 (10%) positive for Theileria spp. and mixed infection with Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. was 2(1 %). Out of 300 sheep 117(39%) were positive for blood parasites which 51(17%) positive for Babesia spp.and 60 (20%) positive for Theileria spp. and mixed infection with Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. was 6( 2%) by Giemsa stained blood smears examination.

Table (2) &Table (3) showed that the infection rate increased with age in cattle, buffaloes and sheep. The highest infection rate at age group (2-3years) were 28%, 16% and 25% in cattle, buffaloes and sheep positive for Babesia spp. and were 30%,18% and 28% in cattle, buffaloes and sheep positive for Theileria spp. by Giemsa stained blood smears examination.

Table (4) & Table (5) revealed that the maximal infection rate was recorded during summer and spring. The infection rates of Babesia spp. were 28 % , 23 % , 12 % and 8 %  in summer, spring, Autumn and winter in cattle, 16 % , 14 % , 6 % and 4 % in buffaloes while it was 24 % , 22 % , 12 % and 10 % in sheep. The same relation between seasonal incidence and infection rate of Theileria spp. among cattle, buffaloes and sheep, were recorded high incidence rate of infection in summer and spring followed by Autumn and winter 30 % , 28% , 16% and 12 % in cattle, 18 % , 16 % , 6% and 4 % in buffaloes while in sheep it was 28% , 26% , 16 % and 8 %.

The positive blood smears for Babesia spp. revealed that the majority of the parasites were rounded and tend to occur peripherally in erythrocytes, while other forms (dot, ring, ovoid, single and double pear shape) were also found. The morphometric data showed the 2.8u is average for the round forms single pyriform was 2.8 - 3.8 X 1.8 - 2.2 u and double pyrifrom measured was 2.8 – 3.8 X 1.8 – 2.2 u.

Positive blood smears for Theileria spp. showed that, the parasites was found in different morphological forms, Ring forms measured 1.3 u was found in infected erthrocytes with high percentage. The schizonts (koch's blue bodies) were detected macroschizonts and microschizonts. Macroschizonts measured 8.5 X 3.5 u while microschizonts measured 9.75 X 3.75 u. Figs(1) (2), (3) (4) Show morphological chreacter's of blood parasites. 

Table 1: Prevalence of blood parasites in cattle, buffaloes and sheep by blood film examination at Behera province

Table 2: Prevalence of Babesia. Spp. infection among cattle, buffaloes and sheep of different age groups using blood film examination

Table 3: Prevalence of Theileria spp. infection  among cattle, buffaloes and sheep of different age groups using blood film examination

Table 4: Seasonal prevalence of Babesia Spp. in cattle, buffaloes and sheep by blood film examination at Behera province

Table 5: Seasonal prevalence of Theileria Spp. in cattle, buffaloes and sheep by blood film examination at Behera province.

Fig (1): Macroschizont stage   Fig (2): Microschizont stage                        

            in lymphocytes                           in lymphocytes

Fig (3): Erythrocytic stage of     Fig (4): Erythrocytic stage of            

          Theileria spp.                        Babesia spp.

                                DISCUSSION

Babesiosis and Theileriosis are a tick porotozool disease that imposes large economic losses such as, drop in meat and milk production reproductive disorders, losses from deaths, costes of treatment and prevention programs (Abosakaya, 2009 and chowdhury et al., 2006) During the last 20 years human cases of Babesisosis have been reported B . bovis transmitted from animals to human and a human case was recorded in Egypt by (El  Bahnasawy and Morsy 2008; Mazyad et al., 2010).

(Tabe 1) revealed that ( 43 .3 % , 20% and 39 % ) from cattle , buffaloes and sheep were positive for blood parasites. Cattle were the highest susceptible of blood parasites, followed by sheep and buffaloes, the same result recorded by (Abdul Manan et al., 2007 and ziapour et al., 2011)This explain that tick infestation was high in cattle and sheep than buffaloes.

Prevalence of Babesia spp.revealed 19 . 33 % , 9 % and 17 % in cattle buffaloes and sheep by blood smears.

In Egypt many researchers carry out a comparesion between cattle and buffaloes babesiosis and they found higher prevalence of Babesia spp. in cattle than buffaloes. Our results were 19.33 % and 9 % in cattle and buffaloes with regard to Egyptian studies , the results agree with, El Sawalhy (1987) in Kalubia governorate who recorded 8.7 % of cattle and 1.2 % of buffaloes; Gattas (1990) in Suez canal who recorded 7.26 % and 5.91% incidence of Babesia spp. in cattle and buffaloes. While our results disagree with, El Ghaysh (1993) who recorded 24 % , 5.4 % in buffaloes and 12.5 % and 4% in cattle in Cairo and Delta while El Badr et al. (2009)who recorded 1.9 % Babesia spp . in buffaloes and 1.3 % in cattle. In other counteries, Zulfiqar et al. (2012) in Pakistan reported higher incidence of Babesia in buffaloes than cattle.

The higher prevalence of Babesia spp. in cattle than buffaloes might be attributed to that cattle has longer and thick hair which allow higher tick infestation which act as avector of blood parasites (Abdul Manan et al., 2007) while the difference between our results and perivous authors may be due to climatic variation, immunological status of animals.

(Tabe 1) revealed, 17% ( 51 out of 300 ) of examined sheep harboured Babesia spp. in their blood , it was to be in agreement with Mahmoud (1992) in Beni Suef, Kafr Elsheikh, El-Fayoum and El-Shorkia governorates (23.7 % , 23. 1 % , 21. 2 % and 20 .6 % respectively). On the other hand, high incidence recorded by Ibrahim et al. (2000) in Egypt was 50.7% while low incidence recorded by Ramadan and El A Kabawy (2000) in Kalubyia governorate (8.5 %).

In other countries there were different rates, Ziapour et al. (2011) in Iran found similar rate (16.03%) while low incidence recorded byyeruham et al. (1992) In Israel, (5.56 and 7.04 %) of Babesia ovis in ewes and lambs  and Savini et al. (1999) in Italy (10% ) and higher incidence recorded by Fakhar et al. (2012) in Iran found in sheep (51. 4%).

The Variation in incidence rates of infection could be explained by the climatic condition of the area of the study that enhances the life cycle of ticks and gives higher chance to ticks to infest animals and subsequently increasing the prevalence of blood parasites. Also, Variation may be due to the immunological status of animals and different ages, different breeds and sexes.

(Table 2) The age susceptibility of Babesia spp. in present study showed that highest rate of infection at age group 2 – 3 years were (28%, 16% and 25%) in (cattle, buffaloes and sheep) these results agreed with that obtained byIbrahim et al. (2000) and El Bader   et al. (2009) while our results disagree with Cleon (1988) who reported that sheep aged between 6 to 12 month old have higher prevalence than animals of other age group.

The infection rate was low among young animals may be due to young calves posses innate resistance enhanced by maternal antibodies, these resistance declined gradually leaving the animal with high susceptibility to the disease.

The seasonal incidence of Babesia spp. of our study revealed that maximal infection rate was recorded during Summer months followed by Spring. These results agreed with that obtained byGattas (1990) and Garcia et al. (2006) in large animals Ramadan and El Akabawy (2000) and Hosein et al. (2007) Fakhar      et al. (2012) in sheep.

The variation on infection rates in different seasons may be attributed to the effect of climatic condition on the tick activity which increased in summer and spring.

(Fig 4) blood smears showed presence of Babesia spp. inside R. B .CS . Our results agree with, Reda (2001), Ali (2005) and Guerrero et al.  (2007).

Typical and a typical forms of Babesia might be resulted from multiple infection and / or mutiple division sever infection with babesiosis which result in multiple invasion of erythrocytes.

Mixed infection with blood parasites include Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. which recorded in 3 cases in cattle , 2 cases in buffaloes and 6 cases in sheep (1 % , 1 % and 2 %) cattle, buffaloes and sheep. Our results agree with. Nasir et al. (2000) (3.1%) and Garcia et al. (2006) (3. 9 %), Mixed infection may attribute to exposure of animals to more than one genus of ticks or the ability of tick to transmit more than one parasite.

Mediterranean cost fever or Tropical theileriosis is a Tick born disease of (cattle, buffaloes and sheep) caused by Theileria spp. infection, extending From Morocco to china and consider one of the Major health problems.

 In (Table 1), Theileria spp. was 23 % in cattle by Giemsa stain blood films this result was relatively similar to Abd El  Raof et al. (2000); Hoda and Osman (2009); Hosny et al. (2010) whose recorded that the incidence of theileriosis among cattle were 33.66 % 31.16 and 31.58 %. However higher prevalence rates were reported by Gamal El Dien (1993) in Behera province and El Metenawy (2000) Saudi Arabia , who recorded that theileriosis among cattle were 65.4 % , 76.5 % ,and 50.4% respectively and lower prevalence rates reported by El  Bader et al. (2009) in South vally was 10.3 % .

Theileria spp. was 10 % in buffaloes by Giemsa stained blood film , this percentage is relatively similar to that obtained by El Bader et al. (2009) who recorded that Theileria spp. in buffaloes was 12 . 5 %.

Theileria spp. was 20 % in sheep by Giemsa stained blood film this percentage is approximately lower to those recorded in Egypt by Harfoush (2001); Kafrelsheikh, Ibrahim et al. (2000); Hala and El Kelesh (2006); Radwan and El Kelesh (2009) were 58. 2 % , 50.7 % , 87 . 5 % and 33.75 %  respectively.

These difference in prevalence may be attributed to differences in locality, sex, age, breed and climatic condition.

In (Figs 1-3) blood films revealed the presence of different forms of the Theileria spp  in addatiton to koch's blue bodies. This finding is agree with perivously described by Salah and Mahran (2003); Radwan and El Kelesh (2009); Hosny et al. (2010).

In (Table 3) The age susceptibility of Theileria spp. showed that highest rate of infection at age group 2 – 3 years were (30%, 18% and 28 %) in (cattle, buffaloes and sheep). These results a greed with that obtined by Abd ElKader (1991) who reported that the susceptibility of clinical theilerosis was low among the calves of less than 1 years old then increased in age of (1 – 3 years), Anada, et al. (2009); Ziapour     et al. (2011) whose recordedsimilar results.

The infection rate was low among young animals due to young animals posses innat resistance enhanced by maternal antibodies than This resistance declined gradually leaving the animal with high sucsptibility to disease.

 In (Table 5) The seasonal incidence of Theileria Spp. of our study revealed that, the maximal infection rate was recorded during Summer and Spring months followed by Autumn and winter the results agreed with that obtained by Abd ElKader (1991)The varitation of infection rates in different seasons may attributed to effect of climatic condition on tick activity which increased in Summer as well as period of the vector activity.

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