Molecular detection of Babesia ovis and blood parameters’ investigation reveal haematological and biochemical alterations in babesiosis infected Lohi sheep in Multan, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Babesia infections in sheep can cause a wide range of clinical and laboratory presentations. Changes in Blood parameters are a meaningful manifestation of physiological and pathological changes in an organism. Aim: Therefore, the present study was conducted to analyze and compare haematological and biochemical parameters between blood profiles of Lohi sheep naturally infected and un-infected with Babesia ovis, the main causative agent of ovine babesiosis. Methods: Initially, blood and serum samples from 67 Lohi sheep were collected, DNA was extracted and babesial infection was detected through PCR. Overall infection rate of B. ovis was 37% (25/67). Sixteen infected (experiment group) and sixteen uninfected (control group) sheep that were apparently healthy with no history of previous treatment for Babesiosis, were selected for haemato-biochemical analysis. Blood samples were analyzed through an automatic CBC analyzer, while serum collected from gel-vacutainers was analyzed for blood urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and total bilirubin. Each parameter was compared between infected and un-infected animals using a paired t-test in Minitab Express™ software for statistical analyses. Results: Erythron comparison showed a highly significant (P<0.0001) decrease in RBC, Hb and Hct. A non-significant increase in MCV, RDW and RDW-SD, while a non-significant decrease in MCH and MCHC values was recorded in infected sheep. Leukon comparison showed a significantly low level of TLC (P<0.001) in infected sheep. Plt along with Pct and PDW were non-significantly higher, whereas a non-significant decrease in MPV was recorded in infected sheep as compared to un-infected animals. Among biochemical parameters, blood urea, BUN and total bilirubin showed significant differences (P<0.05), while creatinine showed a non-significant difference. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on haemato-biochemical changes associated with babesiosis in the Lohi breed. Consistent with hemolytic anemia, these data would justify physical examination and, together with the medical history, would provide an excellent basis for the diagnosis of babesiosis.