Seroprevalence of Haemoprotozoan diseases in ruminants of Kashmir valley

Abstract
The study was designed to investigate the seroprevalence of haemoparasites (Babesia, Anaplasma and Theileria) among ruminants from Kashmir valley for a period of two years. A total of 585 blood samples were collected from selected small holders and private livestock farms using multistage cluster random sampling technique. EDTA containing, methanol fixed and Giemsa (1:10) stained thin peripheral blood smears were microscopically examined. Microscopic examinations showed the overall 74(29.83%), 9(4.29%) and 3(2.27%) seroprevalence of haemoparasitic infection in cattle, sheep and goats respectively. Prevalence of Babesia, Anaplasma and Theileria in cattle were 33(13.30%), 18(7.25%) and 23(9.27%) and in sheep 5(2.43%), 1(0.487%) and 3(1.46%) respectively. In goats the prevalence of Babesia and Theileria was 1(0.75%) and 2(1.51%). Age-wise epidemiological observations revealed highest prevalence rate in 1-5 years age group in cattle Overall gender-wise prevalence was not much prominent but female hosts were found to be more infected than males. The highest 56.71% prevalence of haemoparasitic diseases was found in exotic cattle with zero prevalence in local sheep.