Pathological studies on ovine babesiosis Manwar P.A.1, Chavhan S.G.1,*, Awandkar S.P.2, Jadhav R.K.3, Kondre B.M.1, Mugale R.R.4, Khillare B.S.5 1Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Udgir, Maharashtra-413 517, India 2Department of Veterinary Microbiology, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Udgir 3Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Udgir 4Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Udgir 5Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Parbhani-431 402, Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur, Maharashtra-440001 *Address for Correspondence S.G. Chavhan, Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Udgir, Maharashtra-413 517, India, E-mail: drsam24183@gmail.com
Online Published on 2 January, 2024. Abstract The present study was conducted to know the clinical profile, hemato-biochemical and pathological changes and molecular detection of ovine babesiosis. Out of 120 suspected cases, six (n=6) sheep blood samples were found positive for babesiosis by blood smear examination and PCR for Babesia motasi indicating an overall prevalence of 5%. None of the cases were found positive for Babesia ovis or mixed infection by blood smear examination or PCR. The age-wise prevalence of ovine babesiosis was found higher in the age group above 12 months (66.67%) while breed-wise and sex-wise highest prevalence was observed in Deccani breed females. The important clinical signs recorded were the presence of tick infestation, fever, congested, pale or icteric conjunctival mucous membranes, dark yellow or coffee-coloured urination and respiratory distress.The important hema-to-biochemical abnormalities observed include marked granulocytic leukocytosis, anemia and a significant increase in serum levels of hepatic and renal biochemical parameters. The necropsies of affected sheep revealed the presence of dark icteric/yellow orange hepatic discolouration, diffuse dark brown/yellowish green discoloration of the renal cortex and medulla, distension of urinary bladder with coffee/dark brown coloured urine, and moderate splenomegaly.Histopathologically, the lesions such as centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis, cholestasis, renal tubular necrosis and the presence of yellowish-brown pigment in necrosed tubular epithelial cells indicate hemoglobinuric nephrosis and splenic hemosiderosis.In conclusion, the sheep population in and around Udgir has 5% overall prevalence of ovine babesiosis due to Babesia motasi. Top Keywords Babesia Motasi, Blood Smear, Histopathology, Ovine Babesiosis, PCR, Postmortem Lesions. Top |