Parasitemia and Leukocyte Differential in Cattle Infected by Piroplasmosis in Tanah Datar, West Sumatra

Abstract

Cattle are used as livestock for meat and milk production, but tick borne disease in cattle, such as piroplasmosis which leads to poor cattle health performance and economic losses. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of bovine piroplasmosis and to analyze the association between parasitemia and leukocyte differentials in Tanah Datar. A total of 56 blood samples were collected from Tanah Datar and prepared as blood smears with ten percent Giemsa stain. Blood smears were examined microscopically to record parasitemia and leukocyte differential data. The results showed that the samples were positive for Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. at 100% (56/56) and 23.21% (13/56), respectively. According to the morphology measurement of Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. found in the blood smears, they are highly similar to T. annulata and B. bigemina. The leukocyte differentials show that most leukocytes remain within normal ranges except for elevated eosinophils. In conclusion, there is no significant association between parasitemia and leukocyte differentials in bovine piroplasmosis. Bovine piroplasmosis in Tanah Datar shows high prevalence, with mostly low parasitemia levels. Future studies are suggested to include analysis of additional immunological parameters to further clarify the association between parasitemia and leukocyte differentials in cattle infected with piroplasma.