Bovine Babesiosis in Calves - Review of Three Cases

Haemoprotozoan diseases are economically important diseases in large animal practice. Among the different haemoprotozoan diseases, Babesiosis is one of the vector-borne and important diseases in livestock. Babesiosis is caused by intra erythrocytic protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia that infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals [1]. Babesia shows reverse age immunity in cattle due to B. bigemina [2]. Present paper puts the report on babesiosis in three calves under six month age old.

Figure 1: Example of decision making

Three calves less than six month age were diagnosed suffering from clinical babesiosis at College of Veterinary Science, Proddatur. Clinical examination revealed dullness, pale mucus membranes, elevated rectal temperature, tachycardia, tachypnoea and passing of red colour urine in two calves. Microscopic examination of the stained peripheral blood smear examination revealed piroplasms of Babesia bigemina with morphology varying from ovoid or vacuolar forms to annular ring forms typically paired pyriform (Figure 1). Hematology revealed reduced haemoglobin (6.4 to 7.2 g/dL) and packed cell volume (19% to 23%). Urine analysis revealed the presence of protein, ketone bodies, glucose and blood.

Based on clinical signs and laboratory examination the condition was diagnosed to be bovine babesiosis. Calves were treated with inj. diminazene aceturate (@ 5mg/kg body, IM), inj. meloxicam (@ 0.5mg/kg body weight IM) on the day of presentation. Parentral administration of four doses of iron dextran (@ 2ml/ animal) at weekly twice and daily oral liver tonics was advised. After completion of two weeks of therapy, animals responded well and attain its normal activities.

Clinical babesiosis is characterized by elevated body temperature, intravascular hemolysis which is manifested by the complex of anemia, hemoglobinuria and jaundice. Development of the signs varies depending on the species of parasite and the host age and immune status. Babesiosis commonly noticed in the in adult cattle but, during the outbreak of the disease in endemic areas, calves also infected and they may develop a long-term immunity [3]. Inverse age resistance of the babesiosis was recorded (adult animals are more susceptibility than calves). This might be due to rapid immune responses to primary infection by the calves through a complex immune mechanism [4].

Observed clinical signs and hematological changes were in consonance with the previous reports in different species of animals [1,5]. Previously, babesiosis was reported in young calves [5,6]. It was reported that intra-uterine transmission can also possible in calves [7]. It was reported that calves in enzootic areas become infected by the 11 weeks and it was a supportive document to the present study [8]. Development of the abnormal findings in dogs also reported in babesiosis [9]. Recorded haematological findings and response to the diminazene supported by the previous reports in other species of animals [1,10].

Present study put report on the occurrence of clinical babesiosis in calves and it successful management

Authors are thankful to the authorities of the Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University for providing facilities to carry out this work.

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