Molecular detection of piroplasms in cattle and its associated ticks in selected districts of Kelantan

An abstract of the research paper presented to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, in partial requirement on the course DVT55204 – Research Project.

Abstract: Piroplasm is a tick-borne pathogens infecting a wide variety of vertebrate hosts, especially cattle. This study aims to investigate piroplasm infection in cattle in selected districts of Kelantan through molecular detection and its transmission from ticks to cattle. Sample of blood were collected from 23 cattle and ticks were collected from 13 infested cattle. Detection of piroplasm from blood samples was done using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The results revealed the presence of piroplasm DNA in 22 out of the 23 (95.7%) cattle tested from the blood sample. Based on the results of PCR, Babesia spp. was found more prevalent than Theileria spp. No mix infection was detected from the blood samples. Risk factor of tick infestation on cattle
analysis determined there was no significance with infection of piroplasm in cattle, but might be due to small sample size that was unable to represent the whole population. Detection of piroplasm from this study may provide valuable data for developing targeted control measures, such as tick control programs, vaccination strategies, and quarantine protocols to prevent the further spread of piroplasm in cattle.

Keywords: Piroplasm, Ticks, Cattle, Kelantan, Transmission, PCR