Authors : M.A. Safieldin, A.E. Gadir and K.H. Elmalik
Abstract: This study was conducted in Al-Rodwan project in Omdurman to investigate the prevalence of blood parasites in dairy cattle during different seasons and to assess the relationship between the occurrence of blood parasites and factors of seasonal variations, level of milk production, body temperature, packed cell volume, breed, age and sex. A total of 290 were during three seasons dry cool (100), dry hot (95) and wet hot (95). The sampling technique used was two stage cluster sampling method. The samples were examined in laboratory. Parasitological examinations included wet mount, buffy coat and thin blood film examinations were used. The results showed that the prevalence of blood parasites during different seasons was 8, 5.25 and 6.32% for dry cool, dry hot and wet hot seasons, respectively. The prevalence of Theileria sp. infection was found to be 7, 5.2 and 6.32% for dry cool, dry hot and wet hot season, respectively. While the prevalence of Babesia sp. infection was only recorded in the dry cool season as (1%). The results revealed that there was no effect (χ2 = 0.6089, p>0.05) of season on the occurrence of blood parasites. But a strong correlation (t-test = - 43.6, p<0.05) was found between presence of blood parasites and milk yield. A positive correlation (χ2 = 111.9, p<0.05) was also recorded for body temperature with regard to the presence of blood parasites. Packed Cell Volume (PCV), breed, age and sex were found not to be associated with presence of blood parasites (χ2 = 3.145, p>0.05; χ2 = 0.005, p>0.05; χ2 = 0.222, p>0.05 and χ2 = 0.483, p>0.05, respectively). The results also revealed there was no effect of breed, sex and age on occurrence of blood parasites infections (χ2 = 0.005, 0.483 and 0.222, respectively). Also, there was no relationship between the presence of blood parasites and PCV (χ2 = 3.145).
M.A. Safieldin, A.E. Gadir and K.H. Elmalik, 2010. Factors Affecting Seasonal Prevalence of Blood Parasites in Dairy Cattle in Omdurman Locality, Sudan. Veterinary Research, 3: 32-37.