Prevalence of Babesia isolated from cattle from farms in the Koulikoro region (Mali)

This study carried out in 2023, in the Koulikoro region aimed to determine the prevalence of babesia in the Koulikoro region. 219 blood samples were taken from cattle (142 females and 77 males) and were examined for Babesia bovis. Trypanosomes were identified by microscopic examination of blood smears stained in a GIEMSA Rapide solution. 24 cattle were positive for bovine babesiosis out of a total of 219 cattle examined, i.e. a prevalence rate of 10.96%. Statistical analysis showed that the prevalence did not vary between the communes of Kaniogo and Karan (p>0.05). The prevalence rate of bovine babesiosis was 13.38% in female cattle, compared to 6.49% in males. There was no significant difference between the prevalence of male and female cattle (p>0.05). The prevalence of bovine babesiosis observed in adult cattle (14.74%) and young cattle (8.06%). The study revealed that babesia is present in the Koulikoro region livestock farms and that it constitutes a real threat to cattle in this locality.