Therapeutic and Preventive Measures of Bovine Babesiosis

Abstract

Bovine babesiosis is a widespread, seasonal, vector-borne disease in the Republic of Armenia. The primary vectors responsible for transmission are pasture ticks of the Rhipicephalus genus. A notable characteristic of the babesiosis pathogen's life cycle is its transovarial transmission — from an infected, sexually mature tick to its larvae — allowing the pathogen to persist across multiple tick generations. Consequently, tick habitats serve as potential sites for the infection of livestock. When animals are housed in a manger, the risk of babesiosis infection is significantly reduced due to limited exposure to ticks. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of babesiosis pathogens on bovine hematological parameters, compare the efficacy of various diagnostic methods, and simultaneously identify the most effective pharmaceutical treatments and preventive measures. Bovine babesiosis alters the composition of blood elements: red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels decrease, while white blood cell count increases. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing is considered a highly effective diagnostic tool for detecting the disease.