Epidemiological Studies on Bovine Tick-Borne Haemoparasitic Diseases in Chennai

Raj Kumar Rajupillai Anbu; Vijaya Bharathi Mangalanathan; Selvaraju Ganapathy; Senthil Kumar Alagesan

doi:10.5455/ijlr.20191021101352

Authors

Raj Kumar Rajupillai Anbu Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Tamil Nadu, INDIA
Vijaya Bharathi Mangalanathan Post Graduate Research Institute in Animal Sciences (PGRIAS), Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Tamil Nadu, INDIA
Selvaraju Ganapathy Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Veterinary College and Research Institute (VC&RI), Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Tamil Nadu, INDIA
Senthil Kumar Alagesan Central University Laboratory (CUL), Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Tamil Nadu, INDIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20191021101352

Keywords:

Epidemiology, Tick-borne diseases, Cattle, Active surveillance, PCR, Haemoparasites

Abstract

The present study was aimed to assess the current epidemiological status of bovine tick-borne diseases
(TBDs) in and around Chennai by conventional staining method and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A
total of 154 blood smear and whole blood samples were screened by Leishman staining and PCR
respectively. PCR assay (50.65%) revealed significantly higher sensitivity in detection of TBDs in clinically
suspected cattle than microscopic examination (35.06%). Results showed that Anaplasma spp. (20.78%)
was the most prevalent parasite of cattle followed by Theileria spp. (11.69%) and Babesia spp. (2.6%) in
Chennai. The infection of Anaplasma spp. (27.77 %), Babesia spp. (5.55 %) and Theileria spp. (11.11 %)
were higher in less than 2 year of age group. The prevalence of anaplasmosis was relatively high (21.32%)
in cross-bred cattle. However, higher prevalence of babesiosis (5.55%) and theileriosis (22.22%) was
noticed in non-descript animals. Statistical analysis using chi-square test indicated a highly significant (P
< 0.01) difference between these tests.