Medhavi Dhakal

Medhavi Dhakal

Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Bāgmatī, Nepal

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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15 August 2023 in Pathogens
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Medhavi DhakalMedhavi Dhakal
Medhavi Dhakal
Tulsi Ram Gompo: DVM, MSTulsi Ram Gompo: DVM, MS
Tulsi Ram Gompo: DVM, MS
PDPrakash Devkota
Prakash Devkota
SKSharmila Chapagain Kafle
Sharmila Chapagain Kafle
JSJanak Raj Subedi
Janak Raj Subedi
KPKishor Pandey
Kishor Pandey
Background: Tick-borne protozoan parasites (TBPPs) cause significant problems for domestic animals’ health in Nepal. TBPPs are routinely diagnosed by labor-intensive blood smear microscopy. In Nepal, there are some reports of Babesia and Theileria in cattle, although species identification is rarely performed. Therefore, we performed conventional nested PCR (nPCR) followed by sequence analysis to identify TBPP species infecting cattle in Nepal. Methods: One hundred and six blood samples were collected from cattle in the Kathmandu Valley. Thin blood smears were prepared for microscopic examination. Parasite DNA was extracted from the blood, and nPCR and sequencing were performed to identify the TBPPs present. Results: Among the 106 samples, 45 (42.5%) were positive for piroplasm (Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) via microscope observation and 56 (52.8%) samples were positive via nPCR. The obtained PCR products were used for direct sequencing, and we identified the species as B. bigemina, B. bovis, T. annulate and T. orientalis. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the B. bovis, B. bigemina and T. orientalis sequences from this study belonged to each species clade. On the other hand, T. annulate was divided into two clades in the analysis, and our T. annulate sequences were also divided in these two clades. The piroplasm-positive cattle showed lower hemoglobin and red blood cells than healthy cattle. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to apply molecular detection and species determination of TBPPs in cattle in Nepal. The results of this study may be used as a starting point for the development of successful TBPP surveillance and prevention programs in Nepal.