Prevalence of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina in animals slaughtered in Abha and Khamis Mushait abattoirs, Aseer, Saudi Arabia, using PCR assay

Abstract

Babesia spp. are malaria-like protozoans that parasitize and reproduce within mammalian red blood cells. These parasites have medical, veterinary and economic importance, since they caused significant losses in livestock and serious health problems to human. In spite of the great importance of these parasites, little information is available about the prevalence of them in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) generally and in Aseer region particularly. 350 blood samples were collected from 30 camels, 4 cows, 136 goats and 180 sheep slaughtered in Abha and Khamis Mushait abattoirs, Aseer region, KSA. Blood samples were transported to the lab and DNA was extracted from them. Such DNA was subjected to PCR assay using specific primers for B. bovis and B. bigemina. The results revealed that prevalence of B. bovis was 6.25, 0, 0.74 and 1.2 % for camels, cows, goats and sheep, respectively, however, all samples appeared negative to B. bigemina. This is the first report of B. bovis in Saudi Arabia. These results provided important information about Babesiosis prevalence in Southwestern region of KSA; in addition, the sensitive and accurate method of diagnosis used in this study will be helpful in large-scale monitoring of transmission foci in endemic areas and will be important for the longterm control of the disease.