EXOone Babesia bigemina

Description

Bovine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic apicomplexan protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. Among the Babesia species, Babesia bigemina is considered as one of the most prevalent specie causing bovine babesiosis around the world. Acute infection is characterized by anemia, fever, icterus, hemoglobinuria and high morbidity, leading to severe economic losses to dairy and beef industries. Additionally, survivors may serve as subclinical reservoirs of the parasite

Microscopic examination of stained blood smears and serological tests have been used to identify B. bigemina, but some drawbacks have been found with the use of these traditional techniques. Recently, molecular techniques such as real time PCR have considerably increased the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of this pathogen.