Epidemiological Investigations on Haemoprotozoan Infections in Cattle in Marathwada Region of Maharashtra

Abstract

A study was conducted to establish the epidemiology of haemoprotozoan infections in cattle from
Marathwada region. The present study was carried out from January 2018 to June, 2019. On blood smear
examination, an overall prevalence was 7.52% (138 out of 1835) for haemoprotozoan infections with
maximum prevalence of Theileriosis (5.83%) followed by Babesiosis (0.38%) and Anaplasmosis (0.11%)
with mixed infection prevalence of 0.60% each Theileriosis and Babesiosis as well as Theileriosis and
Anaplasmosis. Crossbred cattle (10.19%) were found to be more susceptible to haemoprotozoan infections
than indigenous cattle (5.92%). Age-wise high rate of infection was in 2-5-year age group (9.48%) followed
by 7.47% in > 5-year age group, 6.48% in 6 month-2-year age group while 4.18% in calves < 6 months
with higher prevalence in females (9.18%) as compared to males (5.79%). The prevalence was found to be
higher in lactating (10.30%) cows than pregnant one (7.46%). Highest prevalence was recorded during
winter season (9.96%) followed by post monsoon (9.38%), summer (8.03%) and monsoon (4.48%). High
milk yield (36.96%), heavy workload (20.29%), change in geographical location (15.94%), transportation
(13.77%) and hot climate (10.87%) were observed as major predisposing factors.