Molecular detection and prevalence of Babesia bovis in cattle of Shahreza city, the south region of Isfahan province, Iran

This study aimed to determie the variety of Babesia species among cattle of shahreza city in the south part of Isfahan Province. A total of 253 blood samples were collected via the jugular vein from healthy cattle, randomly. The extracted DNA from blood cells was amplified by Babesia-all primers, which amplify an approximately 400bp DNA fragment from the region of the 18S rRNA gene from various members of the genus Babesia. All cattle positive samples were further analysed for the presence of B. bigemina and B. bovis by specific semi-nested PCR. B. bigemina and B. bovis were identified by specific semi-nested PCR in 0% and 65.2% of cattle blood samples, respectively. Chi-square tests were used to compare molecular prevalence values relative to Season, Farm, Type, Hygiene, Vectors, Use a disposable needle, Age, and Milk Yield. Among these factors, seasons and vectors were found to have significantly different in the prevalence. The significant major risk factors of B. bovis in cattle were identified as season, hygiene, and vectors by the univariate analysis. Moreover, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association of the prevalence of B. bovis with the season. The examination of 50 microscopic fields showed 59.39% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared to molecular examination. The Kappa coefficient between molecular and microscopy (50 fields) techniques indicated a moderate level of agreement (Kappa= 0.504). This study is the first molecular detection of Babesia species from cattle in the south of Isfahan Province, Iran. Further researches are needed to determine the vectors, vector-host interactions and genotypic variants that may affect the presence and distribution of Babesia species in Iran.