Prevalence of haemoparasites and effects on blood parameters of horses in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of haemoparasites in horses and their effects on the blood parameters of horses in the Ashanti Region of Ghana from June to July 2021. A total of 26 horses were sampled. Three millilitres (3mls) of blood samples were collected from each horse from the jugular vein which was examined using a thin blood film and autoanalyzer. Data obtained was analysed descriptively using SPSS Version 21. A Chi-square test was performed, and the significance level was tested at a 5% significance level (P-value ≤ 0.05). Results showed 20 (76.9%) positive cases for blood parasites; of which 13 (65%) had Babesia caballi only, 1 (5%) with Theileria equi only, 5 (25%) with both Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, and 1 (5%) with both Babesia caballi and Trypanosoma equiperdum. Prevalence was observed to be high in the young horses (3-7 years) as well as in the local breed of horses and the male horses. There were marked effects on haematological parameters in infected horses. Concerning infected horses, haematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were low whilst the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was high indicating macrocytic hypochromic anaemia. The difference in the effects on haematological parameters between infected and non-infected horses was not statistically significant (p>0.05). This study has established the presence of haemoparasites with Babesia caballi being the most prevalent parasite in the horses sampled in the Ashanti Region of Ghana with marked effects on haematological parameters indicating the presence of macrocytic, hypochromic anaemia.