1-Title: PREVALENCE OF THEILERIA AND Babesia bigemina INFECTION IN CATTLE POPULATION OF WESTERN MAHARASHTRA
Authors: SS Talod, PD Pawar, PP Mhase, VS Dhaygude, VG Nimbalkar, AK Barate and LD Singla
Source: Ruminant Science (2025)-14(2):101-109.

Abstract

How to cite this manuscript: Talod SS, Pawar PD, Mhase PP, Dhaygude VS, Nimbalkar VG, Barate AK and Singla LD (2025). Prevalence of theileria and Babesia bigemina infection in cattle population of Western Maharashtra. Ruminant Science 14(2):101-109.
Abstract
The present research work was conducted to record the prevalence of Theileria and/or Babesia spp. Infection in cattle population of different agroclimatic zones of Western Maharashtra by blood smear analysis, haematology and genus multiplex PCR. Total 83 (83/100) samples were found positive by optimized genus multiplex PCR, out of these 59 (71.08%) samples were found positive for Theileria spp., 5(6.02%) for Babesia spp. and 19(22.89%) for mixed infection. On microscopic analysis, total prevalence was found to be 43%, the highest prevalence was recorded in Satara district while the lowest prevalence was observed in Sangli district. Based on PCR examination, the highest prevalence was present in Sangali district while the lowest was in Solapur district. According to microscopy and PCR, zone A (Western ghat zone), B (Sub-Mountain zone), C (Western Maharashtra plain zone) and D (Western Maharashtra scarcity zone) have prevalence rates of 48, 44, 44 and 36%; and 84, 84, 84 and 80%, respectively. Haematological examination revealed a significant reduction in Hb, PCV, and TEC values. Neutropenia and lymphocytosis were also commonly found in infected cattle. Multiplex PCR effectively detects both single and mixed infections in field samples hence it represents a simple and efficient diagnostic tool for the detection of single and mixed infections. Specificity of designed genus primer’s is comparable to that of published primers, thus potentially useful for future studies.
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