Genetic Characterization of the RAP-1A and SBP-4 Genes of <i>Babesia</i> Species Infecting Cattle from Selangor, Malaysia, and Ribah, Nigeria
Adamu Isah Gano,
Siti Zubaidah Ramanoon,
Nor-Azlina Abdul Aziz,
Mazlina Mazlan,
Mohd Rosly Shaari,
Abdullahi Aliyu,
Muhammad Bashir Bello,
Mustapha Umar Imam,
Hazilawati Hamzah
Affiliations
Adamu Isah Gano
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
Siti Zubaidah Ramanoon
Department of Farm and Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
Nor-Azlina Abdul Aziz
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
Mazlina Mazlan
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
Mohd Rosly Shaari
Animal Science Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Headquarters, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
Abdullahi Aliyu
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Applied and Health Sciences, A’Sharqiyah University, P.O. Box 42, Ibra 400, Oman
Muhammad Bashir Bello
Centre for Advance Medical Research and Training, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto 840212, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Mustapha Umar Imam
Centre for Advance Medical Research and Training, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto 840212, Sokoto State, Nigeria
Hazilawati Hamzah
Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
Bovine babesiosis has substantial economic implications in the cattle industry, emphasizing the need for a thorough understanding of the genetic diversity of the causative apicomplexan pathogen. Although babesiosis has been extensively studied globally, the genetic diversity of Babesia species in Malaysian and Nigerian cattle remains unreported. This study aims to bridge this gap by detecting and characterizing Babesia species in selected cattle herds. Our investigation explores the genetic diversity of Babesia species in cattle from Selangor, Malaysia, and Ribah, Nigeria. Blood samples revealed a 32.9% infection rate via PCR analysis. Further genetic analysis detected variations in Malaysian Babesia bigemina isolates but genetic similarity among Nigerian isolates. Conversely, all Babesia bovis isolates displayed genetic homogeneity. In summary, this research identifies genetic diversity in Babesia species affecting Malaysian and Nigerian cattle, highlighting regional disparities.
