Babesiosis is a tick-transmitted disease of veterinary and medical importance causes significant morbidity and mortality in cattle population of Kohat region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The study was designed to analyze/detect the Babesia species in vector ticks by PCR method and to identify the prevalent tick species as per standard procedure of taxonomic keysin kohat region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. A total1032 tick Samples of ticks were examined from different body parts of 800 cattle (cows and calves) of district Karak and Kohat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan and were identified as per taxonomic keys and 311 female vector ticks (Boophilus microplus) collected from 78 cattle (39 Calves and 39 Cows) were screened through PCR for the detection of Babesia species using species specific primers andFemale vector ticks, Boophilus microplus were found infected with Babesiaspecies. The Boophilus microplus was found 36.2% (374/1032) followed by Hyalommaanatolicum 33.33% (344/1032), Rhipicephalussanguineus 20.6% (213/1032) and the lowest was Boophilus annulatus 9.78% (101/1032). Prevalence of B.bovis was found 11.2% (35/311), B.bigemina 6.7% (21/311) and mixed infection 15.1% (47/311) respectively in vector ticks. The study reveals that Babesiosis is endemic in the study areas and needed proper preventive measure to minimize its prevalence.
PCR, B.bovis, B.bigemina and Boophilus microplus
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