Prevalence and Risk Factors Association of Babesiosis in Cattle and Buffaloes in District Naushahro Feroze, Sindh, Pakistan

Authors

• Kazim Raza, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, PakistanFollow
• Amjad Hussain, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, PakistanFollow
• Sajid Moin, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanFollow
• Huzaifa Arain, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanFollow
• Muhammad Mohsen, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, PakistanFollow
• Maria Abubakar, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanFollow
• Erum Bughio, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, PakistanFollow
• Barkat Ali, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, PakistanFollow

Abstract

Background: Bovine babesiosis is a protozoan disease that is transmitted by ticks and has significant veterinary and economic impacts on tropical livestock systems. Prior to this study, no epidemiological data was available of Sindh, Pakistan.

Purpose: To estimate the Babesia spp. prevalence and estimate the risk factors with respect to cattle and buffaloes in five tehsils of District Naushahro Feroze, Sindh, Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using 200 blood samples (100 Thari cattle; 100 Kundhi buffaloes; both sexes) in five tehsils (Kandiaro, Moro, Mehrabpur, Bhiria and Naushahro Feroze). Thin blood smears under Giemsa stain were viewed under oil-immersion microscopy. Systematic recording of clinical signs. Chi-square analysis and binary odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess risk factors.

Results: Overall prevalence was 26.0% (52/200). Cattle (32.0%) had higher observed prevalence than buffaloes (20.0%; χ²=3.74; df=1; P=0.053). Females (27.5%) showed higher prevalence than males (20.0%; χ²=0.94; df=1; P=0.333). The highest tehsil prevalence was in Bhiria (17.5%). Cattle versus buffalo: OR=1.88 (95% CI: 0.99–3.59); female versus male: OR=1.52 (95% CI: 0.65–3.55). The most common clinical signs were fever (≥40 °C), anaemia, and hemoglobinuria.

Conclusions: Bovine babesiosis is common and costly in District Naushahro Feroze. There is an urgent need to implement integrated tick control, strategic chemoprophylaxis, and educate farmers. Molecular characterization studies should be undertaken to determine the circulating species of Babesia.

Article History

Received: Apr 23, 2026; Accepted: Jun 23, 2026; Published: June 30, 2026.

Recommended Citation

Raza, K., Hussain, A., Moin, S., Arain, H., Mohsen, M., Abubakar, M., Bughio, E., & Ali, B. (2026). Prevalence and Risk Factors Association of Babesiosis in Cattle and Buffaloes in District Naushahro Feroze, Sindh, Pakistan, Journal of Bioresource Management, 13 (2).