Prevalence, molecular characterization, and therapeutic management of Buxtonella sulcata in buffaloes from Western Uttar Pradesh, India.

Buxtonella sulcata is an opportunistic protozoan parasite commonly affecting ruminants, with significant infection rates reported in cattle and buffaloes worldwide. This large cyst-forming ciliate shares morphological similarities with Balantidium coli, a known parasite of humans and pigs. In the present study, 512 fecal samples were collected from diarrheic and non-diarrheic buffaloes across five districts Meerut, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, and Hapur in Western Uttar Pradesh, India, between April 2023 and March 2024. Samples were subjected to both microscopic examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 18S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The overall prevalence of B. sulcata was found to be 33.59 % by microscopy and 35.16 % by PCR. Confirmed cases were treated with halquinol bolus administered orally and long-acting oxytetracycline administered intramuscularly. This study highlights the notable presence of B. sulcata in the buffalo population of Western Uttar Pradesh and emphasizes the importance of molecular diagnostics for accurate detection. Furthermore, the research supports the efficacy of a combination therapeutic regimen and recommends its strategic application to manage buxtonellosis in affected regions.