Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, 141004, India
*Corresponding author's e-mail: drharkiratsingh@hotmail.com
Online published on 6 January, 2014.
A PCR based assay was standardized for the specific and sensitive detection of Babesia bigemina infection in bovine blood samples. Among the 104 samples collected from apparently healthy carrier cattle, an amplicon of 278 bp size specific for B. bigemina was detected in 25.96% animals against the routine blood smear examination, which revealed parasitic piroplasms in only 3.84% of samples. The use of PCR resulted in significantly higher efficacy of detection of the parasite compared to microscopic examination of blood smears. These results clearly demonstrate that bovine babesiosis is common and endemic in the state and PCR is the optimal approach for the detection of subclinical cases.
Babesia bigemina, Cattle, PCR, Punjab
