Prevalence and chemotherapy of babesiosis in Lohi sheep in the Livestock Experiment Station, Qadirabad, Pakistan, and environs

Rashid A (1), Khan JA (2), Khan MS (2), Rasheed K (3), Maqbool A (4), Iqbal J (5)

(1) Veterinary Research Institute, Lahore Cantt, Pakistan; (2) Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan; (3) Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan; (4) Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan; (5) Livestock Experiment Station, Qadirabad, Sahiwal, Pakistan.

ABSTRACT: A total of 310 blood smears were collected from sheep of the Livestock Experiment Station, Qadirabad, Sahiwal district, Pakistan and surrounding areas. The samples were examined microscopically and 30 (9.67%) were positive for babesiosis. Animals were divided into two groups for chemotherapy, namely A and B. Group A sheep were treated with diminazene diaceturate while group B animals received imidocarb dipropionate. The drug efficacy was determined by negative blood smear examination. Diminazene diaceturate effectiveness was found to be 80% while imidocarb dipropionate was 100% against babesiosis. Hematological studies revealed a significant decrease in hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrit values in Babesia positive animals as compared to healthy controls.

KEY WORDS: babesiosis, sheep, hemoglobin, hematocrit, diminazene, imidocarb, Pakistan.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

ASIF RASHID, Veterinary Research Institute, Ghazi Road, Lahore Cantt 54810, Pakistan. Email: dr_asif_rasheed@hotmail.com