Prevalence and Risk Factors of Anaplasmosis in Cattle and Buffalo Populations of District Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

2 Abstract: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 836 cattle {Bos (B.) indicus and B. taurus x B. indicus} and 700 buffaloes (B. bubalis bubulus) (n=1536) of district Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan, in order to determine the epizootiology of anaplasmosis through conventional optical microscopy of Giemsa's stained blood films. With an overall prevalence of 4.17% (64/1536); the distribution of anaplasmosis was higher in buffaloes than cattle, calves than adults, females than males. Anaplasmosis in selected animal population was found statistically associated with the breed, season, animal keeping, housing system and hygienic management. The collected information provides the first report of anaplasmosis in the study population of the region. The data will not only be helpful for the dairy farmers to modulate farming practices but also for the policy and decision makers to control the nuisance in the livestock population of the district. However, use of modern molecular tools is suggested for differential diagnosis of Anaplasma from other haemoprotozoa like Babesia and Theileria on a wider geographical spectrum.