Seroprevalence and risk factors of bovine hemoparasitic diseases (theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis) in four major breeding areas of Morocco

Abstract

Hemoparasitic diseases (theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis) are serious vector-borne diseases that have a considerable impact on cattle health and the farming economy of Morocco. The aim of this study, conducted in four dairy farming regions, was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for these infections. In total 1040 cattle were examined in 96 farms. The competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) and fluorescent antibody techniques were used to determine the seroprevalence, and Cramer’s  V statistical test was used to analyze risk factors for the infection of cattle by hemoparasites. Out of the 1040 analyzed sera, 689 (66.3%) were positive. The seroprevalences varied depending on the parasite: Theileria annulata 35.4%, Anaplasma marginale 20.5 %, Babesia bigemina 13.6%, and B. bovis 12.0%. Also 155 animals (14.9%) had mixed infections with two or three hemoparasites simultaneously. The statistical analysis showed that the age (C = 0.62) and farming type (C = 0.60) had a high impact on animal infections, whereas the breed (C  =  0.46) and gender (C = 0.29) had less impact. The climate (C = 0.06) did not seem to have any influence. Results of the present survey will help to understand the epizootical situation of vector-transmitted hemoparasitic diseases in cattle for the establishment of an adequate strategy for their control.