Balantidium coli infection has been reported in dog, water buffalo, crossbreed cattle, camel and chimpanzee. Balantidiosis manifests as diarrhea, dysentery, severe colic pain, tenesmus, anorexia, nausea and vomiting. The present project was designed to study the detection of Balantidium coli and efficacy of ampicillin, secnidazole and neem seeds against naturally balantidiosis infected buffaloes, around Lahore. In addition, the effect of balantidiosis on hemoglobin was also studied.

The present study was conducted on buffalo reared in and around Lahore. For the prevalence, two hundred buffaloes were examined coprologically around Lahore. Out of 200 buffaloes, 40 were found positive, so the prevalence of Balantidium coli in buffalo was 20%. Out of 40 animals, eighteen buffaloes having balantidiosis were selected for chemotherapeutic trials and six untreated infected were also selected and divided into four groups, having six buffaloes in each group viz. A, B, C and D.

The animals of group A were treated with ampicillin (inj. Penbritin), at a dose rate of 10 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly for three days, according to the manufacturer instructions. Animals of group B were given secnidazole (Dysen forte), at a dose rate of 1 0mg/kg body weight orally for one day, according to the manufacturer instructions. Animals of group C were treated with Melia Azadarch (Neem), at a dose rate of 200mg/kg of body weight orally for one day. The animals in group D were serving as untreated infected control.

Faecal sample were collected and observed at day 0 (pre medication) and at day 3, 7 and 10 (post medication). The efficacy of drugs were analyzed on the basis of disappearance of clinical signs and by reduction of cysts/trophozoites.

The data thus obtained was analyzed statistically. Efficacy of ampicillin (in Penbritin) was 16%, 16% and 33% on day 3, 7 and 10 respectively. Efficacy of secnidazole (Dysen forte) was 25%, 66% and 83% on day 3, 7 and 10 respectively. Efficacy of Melia Azadarch (Neem) was 16%, 33% and 50% on day 3, 7 and 10 respectively.

Statistical analysis of various groups in respect of therapeutic study showed that group A shows significant mean difference with group B and C, group B shows significant mean difference with group A and D, group C shows significant mean difference with group A and D and group D shows significant mean difference with group B and C.

From the results of present study, it has been observed that secnidazole (Dysen forte) was the drug of choice for the treatment of bovine balantidiosis, given at the rate of 10 mg/kg body weight orally. However neem seeds showed better efficacy than that of ampicillin.

For hematological studies, the blood was collected from each selected buffalo at day 0 (pre medication) and day 3, 7 and 10 (post medication). The hemoglobin analysis was done by Sahli's Method. The hemoglobin estimation was done on day 3, 7 apd 10 post-medication.

The mean values of Hb concentration of group A at day 0, 3, 7 and 10 post-medication were 9.9 ± 0.68, 9.9 ± 0.68, 9.9 ± 0.66 and 10.0 tO.66 measured in g/dI respectively. The mean values of Hb concentration of group B at day 0, 3, 7 and 10 post- medication were 9.4 ± 1.60, 9.4 ± 1.61, 9.5 ± 1.45 and 9.6 ± 1.51 measured in g/dl respectively. The mean values of Hb concentration of group C at day 0, 3, 7 and 10 post- medication were 8.2 ± 0.64, 8.2 ± 0.56, 8.3 ± 0.58 and 8.3 ± 0.53 measured in g/dl respectively. The mean values of Hb concentration at day 0, 3, 7 and 10 post-medication were 8.2 ± 0.80, 8.2 ± 0.80, 8.2 ± 0.82 and 8.2 ± 0.80 measured in g/dl respectively.

Statistical analysis of various groups in respect of haematological studies showed that group A shows significant mean difference with group C and D. Group B shows significant mean difference with group C and D. Group C group shows significant mean difference with group A and B. Group D shows significant mean difference with group A and B.

It is concluded that at day 0 (pretreatment), the hemoglobin value was normal in group A and B and close to the normal range in group C and D. On day 10 (post treatment), Hb value was increased in groups A, B, C and no change in Hb value of group D. This is due to the treatment of balantidiosis which causes bloody diarrhea with severe haemorrhages.