Bovine haemoparasites are cosmopolitan in distribution and are known to cause substantial losses to the cattle industry. In spite of their economic importance, there remains a dearth of information on their molecular epidemiology in many parts of the world including Malaysia. To ascertain the molecular prevalence and species co-infection of bovine haemoparasites in the country, blood samples were collected from 1,045 heads of beef and dairy cattle on 43 farms from six geographical zones throughout Peninsular Malaysia. Samples subjected to PCR amplification of parasite species-specific genetic fragments revealed that Anaplasma marginale was the most prevalent haemoparasite (72.6%),followed by Theileria orientalis(49.8%),Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos ( 47. 0 % ),Babesia bovis(32. 5%), Babesia bigemina (30.5%) and Trypanosomaevansi(17.9%). A high percentage (92.1%) of cattle was infected with either one or more haemoparasites. Triple haemoparasite species co-infection was the most prevalent (25.6%), followed closely by double species co-infection (25.1%). The most common (8.8%) and significantly correlated(rs= 0.250; p<0.01) combination was A. marginale+ T.orientalis. The present study constitutes the first attempt in the country to document the molecular prevalence and species co-infection of bovine haemoparasites over a wide spatial distribution. The data obtained will facilitate treatment, control and prevention measures to improve the local cattle industry.

A total of 65 Pasteurella multocida were isolated and identified from various animal’s samples received by Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) during the period of 2014 to 2016. These animals comprises of cattle, goat, pig, chicken, duck and rabbit. The serogroup of Pasteurella multocida were carried out using designation system of Carter’s capsular typing and molecular serogrouping method. Based on cases submitted to VRI, the prevalence of pasteurellosis in Malaysia ranging from 1.0% to 3.2% (2014 to 2016). It is low compared to previous reports and the pattern of predominant serogroups and animal hosts were found to be changing every year. In 2014, 80% (12/15) of the isolates were Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type D where all were isolated from goats. In 2015, the predominant serogroup changed to Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type A with a prevalence rate of 40.6% (13/32) which were mostly isolated from duck and cattle. While for Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type D, the prevalence in 2015 reduced to 21.9% (7/32) compared to the previous year and it was isolated from various animal species. Interestingly, in 2015 there was one isolate of Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type B isolated from goat with no reported history of outbreak. In 2016, the prevalence of Pasteurella multocida Carter’s type A increased to 72.2% (13/18), with a high percentage (92.3%) infection in young calves showing clinical signs with high mortality and morbidity in infected farms. Furthermore, during these 3 years of study, 3 isolates of Pasteurella multocida serogroup F were also identified each from pig, goat and chicken, respectively. In conclusion, this study revealed that pasteurellosis had become sporadic in Malaysia and the distribution of serogroups were diverse in all species of animal with no definitive host.