BABESIOSIS

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Causative Agent(s)

Two important species in cattle are Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis. Babesia ovis and Babesia motasi affects small ruminants. B. bigemina and B. bovis are more widely distributed and of major importance in Africa, Asia, Australia and Central and South America.

 

Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology

The clinical signs of acute infections with B. bigemina and B. bovis are similar but B. bovis is generally more pathogenic with central nervous system involvement (cerebral babesiosis) whereas disease caused by B. bigemina is less severe with red urine (haemoglobinuria) present and more consistently. In acute infection, the first sign is high fever with temperature reaching

41.5°C for several days before other signs become obvious. There is anorexia, ruminal atony, increased respiration rate, haemoglobineamia and haemoglobinuria. The animal is reluctant to move. The conjunctiva and mucous membranes are first congested and redden, but as erythrocytic lysis occur, the colour changes to pallor of anaemia. In the terminal stages, there is severe jaundice, the urine is dark red to brown in colour and produces a very stable froth. Either constipation or diarrhoea may be present.

C.N.S involvement (cerebral Babesiosis) (with B. bovis infection) manifest by in-coordination followed by mania, grinding of teeth, convulsion, circling, head pressing, aggression, posterior paralysis, and coma.

Diagnostic Considerations

Demonstration of Babesia organism in thick or thin blood smears made from peripheral blood and stained with Giemsa or Wright stains.

Indirect haemagglutination, complement fixation test and ELISA have been established for a few Babesia species.

PCR-based molecular diagnostic tools have also been established for the detection and differentiation of parasites DNA in blood samples of affected animals.

Management and Treatment
  • Imidocarb dipropionate salt (Imizol®) 2 mg/kg subcutaneously
  • Diminazene aceturate at 5 mg/kg body weight given intramuscularly is also effective.
  • Long-acting tetracycline 20 mg/kg body weight reduces the severity of the
  • Supportive treatment is advised particularly in valuable animals. This may include the use of anti-inflammatory agents, corticosteroids (dexamethasone), electrolyte (fluid therapy) and blood transfusions may be lifesaving in very anaemic animals.