Investigation of hematological and biochemical parameters in small ruminants naturally infected with Babesia ovis

Babesia ovis plays an important role in causing anemia and kidney dysfunction in affected animals. There are few extensive studies about hematological and biochemical findings of small ruminants' babesiosis caused by B. ovis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of babesiosis on some hematological and biochemical parameters in infected small ruminants with B. ovis. A total of 280 sheep and 122 goats from 40 herds were randomly examined for the presence of B. ovis in blood samples. Of 402 samples, 67 animals (16.7%) were positive for B. ovis of which 52 (18.5%) were sheep and 15 (12.2%) goats, respectively. The infected animals were divided into four subgroups according to parasitemia rates (<1%, 1%, 2%, and 3%). As a control group, 67 uninfected animals were also selected from the same farms. With increase in parasitemia rates, hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBCs), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while, total leukocyte count, number of lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil and eosinophil showed a significant increase (P < 0.05). Infected animals presented a significant elevation (P < 0.05) of total proteins and significantly lower level (P < 0.05) of albumin compared to non-infected animals. Significant elevation (P < 0.05) of BUN, creatinine, cholestrol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL level were found with parasitemia progression.