Wasim Shehzad

Prevalence And Taxonomical Studies On Haemoparasites Of Equine And Their Effect On Blood Parameters During Winter - 2000

The present study was conducted between November 1999 and January 2000 to find out the prevalence and to study the taxonomy of haemoparasites of horses. In addition, their effect on haematological parameters was also studied.

A total of 40 out of 435 horses were found positive for haemoparasites. The prevalence recorded was 9.20%. Out of positive animals 22(5.06%) were positive for babesia species, of which 10 (45.45%) were infected with B. equi, 6 (27.27%) were infected with B. caballi and 6 (27.27%) were positive with mixed infection of B.qui and B. caballi. out of remaining positive cases, 14 (3.22%) were positive for T.evansi and 4 (0.92%) were positive for P.multipapillosa.

Animals of group A, belonged to all the places of other groups. Animals of group B showed 10.52 % prevalence for haemoparasites, Babesia species was present in 6 (6.3l%) and T.envansi was present in 4 (4.2l%) animals respectively. Horses of group C showed prevalence as 14.28% haemoparasites out of which 6(8.57%) were positive for babesia species, and 4 (5.71%) positive for T.evansi . Similarly, animals in group D, indicated 11.11 % prevalence of haemoparasites including babesia species 3 (3.33%), T.evansi 3 (3.3%) and P.multipapillosa, 4 (4.44%) respectively. Ten out of 180 (5.56%) horses of group E were positive for haemoparasites and 7 (3.89%) were positive for Babesia spp. and 3 (1.66%) were positive for I.evansi.
Haematological examination revealed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, haemoglobin estimation, packed cell volume, neutrophils and basophils in the infected horses as compared with healthy horses. However, there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in lymphocytes and eosinophils in the infected horses as compared with healthy horses of group A.
From the results of the present study it may be concluded that the horses belonging to the poor community need due attention for the control of haemoparasite diseases. Services must be extended to educate owners of these Tonga ponies for the control of haemoparasitic diseases and their vectors.



Department of Parasitology

0648,T


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