Abstract

Sheep is often infected by various protozoan parasites that induce considerable losses of livestock resources. Scarce data have been reported to identify major parasites in sheep in Qena, Upper Egypt. Accordingly, the study aimed to estimate the prevalence of blood parasites infecting sheep in Qena. A field survey was conducted during the period between February 2014 and January 2015. Blood samples were collected from sheep and Giemsa-stained smears were prepared to identify blood parasites under microscopy. Out of 130 examined samples, 15 (11.53%) were infected with Babesia motasi (B. motasi); 13 (10.0%) infected with Babesia ovis (B. ovis) and 10 (7.69%) infected with Theileria ovis (Th. ovis) (single infection). Six (4.61%) hosts had mixed infections with B. motasi and Th. ovis; 3 (2.3%) with B. motasi and B. Ovis; 2 (1.53%) with B. Motasi, B. Ovis and Th. ovis and one (0.76%) was infected with Toxoplasma sp. and Th. Ovis. The total prevalence of infections with B. motasi, B. Ovis, Th. ovis and Toxoplasma sp. Were 20.0, 13.83, 14.6 and 0.76%, respectively. This study is the first report on the prevalence of blood parasites infecting sheep in Qena province. The infection with B. motasi was the most prevalent. Further investigations with more sensitive and applicable methods such as molecular methods to identify more blood protozoan parasites in sheep and other ruminants are needed.

Keywords: Babesia motasi; Babesia ovis; Theileria ovis; Toxoplasma gondii; Sheep; Egypt