Clinicopatho-Biochemical Alterations Associated with Subclinical Babesiosis in Dairy Animals

Background : Present investigation is based on the clinicopatho-biochemical alteration related to natural tick borne bovine babesiosis in Punjab state. Methods : Blood samples from jugular vein of 542 bovines (cattle 466 and buffaloes 76) having history of tick in­festation, fever, hemoglobinurea or anemia were collected and tested for Babesia bigemina by blood smear examina­tion and PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene to distinguish clinically and subclinically infected groups. Further the hemato-biochemical parameters were correlated with the status of infection. Results: Overall, of the 542 samples tested 16.42 % were positive by PCR while only 1.66 % by blood smear exami­nation. The trend of molecular prevalence was found to decrease from north-eastern towards western Punjab. Analy­sis of the hematobiochemical alterations showed significant decrease in the levels of RBC, Hb, PCV, and MCV with significant increase in TBIL, MCH and MCHC levels. Conclusion: As the transmission of B. bigemina is transovarian, presence of even few infected Rhipicephalus ( Booph­ilus ) microplus ticks on a subclinically infection can be the nidus of infection for whole herd, causing severe economic losses, at the same time significantly affecting the physiology of carrier animal.