Prevalence of intracellular hemoprotozoal diseases in large ruminants in Banaskantha District, Gujarat, India
Author(s): RB Mevada, RM Patel, HM Patel and SM Mansuri
Abstract: The seasonal incidence of haemoprotozoal diseases in large ruminants was investigated by analyzing 46,724 blood smears collected from multiple veterinary sub-centres in Banaskantha district, Gujarat, spanning March 2020 to February 2023. Blood samples were obtained from large ruminants, including cattle and buffaloes showing tick infestation and other clinical signs, for haemoparasite screening. Examination of field-stained blood smears using conventional optical microscopy revealed infection rates of 42.82%, 38.73%, and 40.51% in the years 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23, respectively, with haemoprotozoan parasites such as Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina, and Theileria annulata. The study documented a higher occurrence of haemoprotozoal diseases in large ruminants during the summer and monsoon seasons. Specifically, 6,965 out of 16,267, 6,078 out of 15,694, and 5,981 out of 14,763 blood smears tested positive for haemoprotozoal infection during 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23, respectively. Notably, the incidence of theileriosis (16.6%, 15.45%, and 16.85%) exceeded that of anaplasmosis (16.15%, 11.1%, and 12.29%) and babesiosis (4.7%, 5.33%, and 5.45%) across the corresponding years. In addition, the study emphasized a thorough review of relevant literature from databases such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PubMed, using standardized keywords including tropical theileriosis, haemoprotozoan, North Gujarat, and prevalence. These articles were thoroughly examined to update understanding, obtain fresh perspectives, and raise new questions about these diseases.
