Prevalence of haemoprotozoan diseases in equines of northern region of sindh, pakistan

Haemoprotozoan infections causes devasting loss to the livestock population through mortality and morbidity thereby reducing their production and lowered working efficiency. The present study was conducted to investigate the haemoprotozoan infection in equines in the district Larkana in northern Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 300 blood samples were collected from different species of equines in various localities of Larkana. The study was carried on stray and reared equines, including horses, donkeys and mules. The overall prevalence rate of protozoan infection in equines was found as 23.33% (70 animals) at different talukas/tehsils of district Larkana. Equine species wise haemoprotozoan infection was recorded as 7.69%, 24.11% and 20% in horses, donkeys and mules, respectively. Overall age-wise protozoan prevalence was determined as 18.5% in below 2 year and 23.80% in above 2 years age group. Whereas, in horses the infection rate was noted as 7.69% in above 2 years age group. The donkeys, above 2 years age group were susceptible for haemoprotozoan infections, which was recorded as 24.70% as compared to below 2 years age group (18.51%). In case of mules, the infection rate was recorded as 20% in above 2 years of age group. Overall gender-wise protozoan prevalence was found 43.46% in male equines, whereas in female, it was 21.73%. Equine species wise infection was recorded high in male of horses (9.09%), donkeys (24.13%) and mule (20%) as compared to female horses (0%), donkeys (23.80%) and mule (0%). Housing wise prevalence was recorded as high (51.51%) in chhapra than open (15.97%) and paka (24.39%).The management wise infection was recorded as 100% in stray equines as compared to reared ones (22.81%). The current study provides a baseline data on the prevalence of haemoprotozoans in equines in northern Sindh which may be helpful in designing control strategies for infectious diseases in equines.