The molecular prevalence, distribution and risk factors associated with Babesia bigemina infection in Peninsular Malaysia
Babesia bigemina is a tick-borne protozoan that affects cattle in almost all regions of the world. Despite its importance, there is no report of its prevalence in cattle using molecular detection methods in Peninsular Malaysia. This study describes the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors as...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2021
|
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/95536/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X21000066 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Babesia bigemina is a tick-borne protozoan that affects cattle in almost all regions of the world. Despite its
importance, there is no report of its prevalence in cattle using molecular detection methods in Peninsular
Malaysia. This study describes the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors associated with B. bigemina infection
using molecular diagnostic methods. Also, the species of ticks infesting cattle and the attitude of cattle farmers
towards tick control in Peninsular Malaysia were studied. Blood samples were collected from 1045 cattle from 43
herds throughout the country, and were subjected to molecular studies to detect B. bigemina. Tick samples for
entomological studies were also collected and identified. Epidemiological information of each cattle and farm
were obtained using a well-structured questionnaire containing open-ended and closed-ended questions. Data
were statistically analyzed using Univariate and Multivariate models. The 211-base pair of AMA-1 gene of B.
bigemina was amplified and confirmed in 30.5 % (319/1045; 95 % CI = 27.8–33.4) of the sampled population,
with the haemoprotozoan detected in all the sampled herds. Breed, age, physiological status, management type,
rate of de-ticking, and closeness to human settlement were the risk factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated
with the prevalence of B. bigemina in cattle. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Haemaphysalis bispinosa were
the species of ticks collected from cattle, with the former been more prevalent. A large number of cattle farmers
(12/43; 28 %) do not control ticks in their herds. The findings of this study will create baseline data on the
epidemiology of the haemoprotozoan and control patterns of its tick vectors that will guide the government in
enacting policies that will improve food security and the economy of the nation. |
|---|