Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are prevalent across the world, especially in developing countries. The prevalence is high in rural and semi-urban areas. Buxtonella (B.) sulcata is an opportunistic protozoan parasite causing GI problems in cattle and buffaloes which serve as the reservoir host for this zoonotic pathogen. In Pakistan, limited published data is available on molecular studies on prevalence of this parasite in bovines and associated risk factors. Briefly, 384 fecal samples (as determined through epidemiological sample size calculation formula) were collected from cattle and buffaloes from four towns of district Faisalabad through simple random sampling method. On a pre-designed questionnaire with closed ended questions, data on certain associated risk factors of buxtonellosis was gathered. Parasitic oocysts were separated from feces by using centrifugal sedimentation technique. DNA extraction was done from isolated oocysts of parasites followed by PCR analysis using genus specific primers (18S rRNA gene). The overall prevalence of Buxtonella spp. was 12.24 and 20.31% using microscopic and molecular techniques, respectively. Regarding the associated risk factors, the infection was found to be significantly more prevalent in females (P<0.05) compared to male animals, in younger animals compared to older animals, and in cattle compared to buffaloes. Among other factors, the prevalence of Buxtonella spp. was significantly higher (P<0.05) in grazing animals consuming pond water as compared to stall feeders consuming canal or tap water. Upon phylogenetic analysis, the obtained sequences showed 97.48% similarity with B. sulcata isolated from cattle and buffalo through Neighbor Joining Method. In conclusion, molecular techniques were found to be more suitable to detect Buxtonella spp. compared to microscopic techniques. Moreover, we need appropriate preventive measures to prevent its zoonotic transmission.

To Cite This Article: Khan MK, Mahmood MS, Ali S, Khatoon A, Umar S, Mughal MAS, Azeem A, Chatha AK, Abbas Z and Rafique A, 2024. Prevalence and characterization of Buxtonella sulcata in bovines in Pakistan using morphological and PCR-based approaches. Pak Vet J, 44(4): 1298-1302. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2024.304