Vol. 12, Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
SC Paramesha, PT Ramesh, N Prakash, VS Lathamani, BM Veeregowda and HS Madhusudhan

Abstract:
The present study aimed to conduct a clinicopathological evaluation of haemoprotozoan-affected small ruminants. Small ruminants presented to the Veterinary College Hospital, Hebbal, Bengaluru, with classical clinical signs suggestive of haemoprotozoan disease, such as anorexia, high temperature, lymphadenopathy, dullness, pale mucous membranes, icterus, emaciation, diarrhoea, and a history of tick infestation. Blood samples were collected from suspected animals, and 10 of them tested positive for haemoprotozoa in blood smear examinations (6 for Theileria and 4 for Babesia). These findings were further confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (4 for Theileria, 4 for Babesia, and 2 for both Theileria and Babesia organisms). When compared to healthy animals, infected animals showed a significant increase in physiological parameters such as temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate, along with a significant decrease in rumeno-reticular motility. Haemato-biochemical parameter analysis of blood samples from positive animals revealed a significant decrease in haemoglobin, total erythrocyte count (TEC), packed cell volume (PCV), and thrombocyte count. There was also a significant increase in leucocyte count. Biochemical analysis indicated a significant decrease in total protein, albumin, globulin concentration, and a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen level (BUN), creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase, and total bilirubin in animals with haemoprotozoa infection compared to their healthy counterparts.