This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of different blood parasites in buffalo with regard to seasons, age and sex. To achieve this aim, a total of 530 apparently healthy and clinically suscpected buffaloes in Qalyobia governorate, Egypt were examined for blood parasites using Giemsa stained blood smears from June 2013 to May 2014. Moreover PCR assay was applied to amplify DNA of Babesia and Theileria sp. in 100 buffalo blood samples negative by microscopic examination. Of the 530 buffaloes screened, 37.92% were positive by microscopic examination. Anaplasma marginale was the most prevalent species (30.64%) followed by Babesia sp. (26.60%) and Theileria annulata (2.08%). The most frequent clinical signs observed in the course of disease in addition to the effect of seasons, age and sex on the prevalence of infection were presented in the study. The PCR assay was a reliable method for the diagnosis of Piroplasmidae as compared to light microscopy, where it detected Babesia and Theileria sp. DNA in 25% and 12% of buffaloes compared to microscopy respectively. The high prevalence of haemoprozoan in buffaloes highlights the need for establishment of consolidated control program to overcome the economic losses caused by these parasites. |
