OBJECTIVETo determine the presence of Babesia bovis (B. bovis) in large ruminants in southern Punjab and its effect on hematological and serum biochemical profile of host animals.

METHODSBlood samples were collected from 144 large ruminants, including 105 cattle and 39 buffaloes, from six districts in southern Punjab including Multan, Layyah, Muzaffar Garh, Bhakar, Bahawalnagar and Vehari. Data on the characteristics of animals and herds were collected through questionnaires. Different blood (hemoglobin, glucose) and serum (ALT, AST, LDH, cholesterol) parameters of calves and cattle were measured and compared between parasite positive and negative samples to demonstrate the effect of B. bovis on the blood and serological profile of infected animals.

RESULTS27 out of 144 animals, from 5 out of 6 sampling districts, produced the 541-bp fragment specific for B. bovis. Age of animals (P=0.02), presence of ticks on animals (P=0.04) and presence of ticks on dogs associated with herds (P=0.5) were among the major risk factors involved in the spread of bovine babesiosis in the study area. ALT concentrations were the only serum biochemical values that significantly varied between parasite positive and negative cattle.

CONCLUSIONS: This study has reported for the first time the presence of B. bovis in large ruminant and the results can lead to the prevention of babesiosis in the region to increase the livestock output.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Babesia bovis ; genetics ; Babesiosis ; blood ; epidemiology ; parasitology ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Buffaloes ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases ; blood ; epidemiology ; parasitology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; India ; epidemiology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Protozoan ; blood ; RNA, Ribosomal ; blood ; Surveys and Questionnaires

To determine prevalence of behavior problems among children with Down syndrome and normal children as well as to explore the relationship between intelligence level and problems in behavior among normal and DS children in Pakistan. The study used a quantitative research design, and questionnaires were used for data collection purpose with diagnosed children with DS (N=40), and normal children (N=40) with age ranges from 8 to 11 years, from Taxila, Wah Cantt, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Haripur. The statistical analyses of correlation, t-test and ANOVAs were used. Results showed that 60% Down syndrome children show high score on CBPQ (M=136.95, SD=25.77), whereas100% normal children show low score on CBPQ (M=91.30, SD=11.37). A negative relationship was found between intelligence level and behavior problems (r=-0.603**, p<0.01). Down syndrome children show more behavioral problems than normal (N=80) (t=-10.24, p<0.01).