The present study was designed to determine diagnosis and infection percentage of Bovine anaplasmosis in cattle and buffalo of different age groups in and around District Lahore, and to study the comparative efficacy of diagnostic methods that is Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Microscopic Examination. For this purpose 160 blood samples were collected from cattle and buffaloes ,randomly from eight villages , during the month of May, June, July, August of 2010 in and around District Lahore.80 samples were collected from cattle and 80 were collected from buffaloes and these samples were further categorized into two age groups that is 40 samples were collected from calves of 1 month to 6 month of age and 40 samples were collected from calves of 7 month to 12 month of age of each species. Screening was done by blood smears, stained by Giemsa'wright staining technique and later the blood samples from the same animals were also processed by PCR.
The blood smears showed Anaplasma marginale as dense , round, deeply stained body, approximately 0.3-1.0um in diameter. Most of them were located on or near the margin of the erythrocyte.On the basis of Microscopic examination overall 11.25% (18\160) prevalence was recorded. On the basis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) prevalence of Anaplasma marginale 25.6%(41\160) was recorded, showing the presence of carrier animals in District Lahore. The blood smears showed maximum prevelance in cattle of age 7 months to 12 months of age that is 20% (8\40) than animals of age 1 month to 6 month of age 10% (4\40).The blood smears showed maximum prevelance in buffalo calves of age 7 months to 12 months of age that is 10% (4\40) than animals of age 1 month to 6 month of age 5% (2\40). The blood smears showed that the prevelance of Bovine anaplasmosis is more in cattle 15% (12\80) than buffalo 7.5% (6\80). The overall prevalence 25.6% (41\160) was recorded for Bovine anaplasmosis , during summer season on the basis of PCR. The Polymerase chain reaction showed maximum prevelance in cattle of age 7 months to 12 months of age that is45 % (18\40) than animals of age 1 month to 6 month of age 20% (8\40). The Polymerase chain reaction showed maximum prevelance in buffalo animals of age 7 months to 12 months of age that is 27.5% (11\40) than animals of age 1 month to 6 month of age 10% (4\40). The Polymerase chain reaction showed that the prevelance of Bovine anaplasmosis is more in cattle 32.5% (26\80) than buffalo18.75 % (15\80).The results have shown high efficacy of PCR as compare to Microscopic Examination.
It is anticipated that present study was proved helpful in diagnosis of Anaplasma in infected as well as in carrier animals in District Lahore , and will be beneficial for further study.