Causative agents
- Babesia bovis
- Babesia bigemina
Differential diagnosis
- Bovine anaplasmosis -Eperythrozoonosis
- Theileriosis -Trypanosomosis
- Leptospirosis -Toxic anemia
1. History taking
- Ticks especially Boophilus microplus are
endemic in the environment
- Purebred animals, newly imported animals
from disease-free country are more
susceptible than native or crossbred animals
- Adults are affected rather than young
animals, and usually fatal
- Predisposing factors : climate, draught,
pregnancy, milking, transportation, other
blood parasites infection
- High mortality in acute cases
2. Clinical examination
- High fever (up to 41 °C) lasts from 2-7 days
- In case of B. bigemina eg., ataxia, anorexia,
anemia, icterus, hemoglobinuria
- In case of B. bovis eg. nervous symptom
hyperexcitability, incoordination, salivation,
teeth grinding, shock
3. Microscopic examination
- Thin and thick smear made from peripheral
vessels (eg. ear vein, caudal vein)
stained with Giemsa and examined under
microscope for agent detection
4. Serological test
- IFAT
- ELISA
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5. Necropsy
- Pale mucous membrane
- Sub-epicardial and sub-endocardial hemorrhage
- Edematous and congested lungs
- Enlarged liver and spleen
- Distended gall bladder with thick, dark bile
- Congested kidneys, urinary bladder contains
red-brown urine
- Edematous and congested brain in case of B. bovis
6. Tissue smear
- Organ smear made from newly cut and clean
surface of each organ, stained with Giemsa
- Blood smear obtained from the extremities of
newly dead animals
7. Histopathological observation
- Hemoglobinuric nephrosis
- Hypoxic centrilobular liver necrosis
- Plugging of bile canaliculi and ducts by dense
bile deposits
- Parasitized erythrocytes seen in vessels in all
tissues
- Erythrophagocytosis and hyperplasia of
hematopoietic tissues
Control and treatment
- Tick control by regular spray or dip with
effective insecticides
- Surveillance of the newly introduced animals
into enzootic area
- Vaccination
- Treatment of sick animals with any
babesiacidal drugs eg., Imizol® , Berenil®
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