blood parasites affecting cattle and buffaloes in New Valley Governorate, Egypt. A total of 1530 animals (1450 cattle and
80 buffaloes) of different ages and sexes were clinically examined between April 2024 and July 2025. Blood samples were
collected from 700 clinically suspected animals and examined using Giemsa-stained blood smears and polymerase chain
reaction (PCR). Microscopic examination revealed infection rates of 15.62% for *Babesia* spp., 63.5% for *Theileria*
spp., and 20.8% for *Anaplasma* spp. The highest prevalence was observed in animals aged>1–2 years and during the
summer season. PCR confirmed the presence of *Babesia bigemina*, *Theileria annulata*, and *Anaplasma marginale*.
Sequencing analysis showed high genetic similarity with international strains, and the sequences were deposited in GenBank.
In conclusion, tick-borne hemoparasitic infections are highly prevalent in New Valley Governorate, highlighting the need
for improved diagnostic surveillance and effective tick control state, the results emphasize the urgent need for enhanced
diagnostic and control measures to reduce the burden of tick-borne haemoparasites in Egypt’s New Valley Governorate. The
high prevalence and genetic similarity to global strains highlight the risk of spread to other regions and the importance
of integrated One Health strategies for tick-borne disease management.
KEYWORDS: Cattle; Buffaloes; Babesiosis; Theileriosis; Anaplasmosis; PCR

Background

The discovery of alpha-adrenergic receptors in the ureteral smooth muscle cells led to a thorough investigation of the therapeutic potential of alpha-blockers for ureteral calculi. Tamsulosin is a selective blocker of alpha-1A and alpha-1B adrenoceptors. It significantly improved the expulsion of distal ureteral stones measuring 3–10 mm in most randomized trials. To the best of our knowledge, tamsulosin was not tested before in the management of ureteral stones 10–15 mm. Hence, the present study aimed at estimation of the efficacy of tamsulosin in the expulsion of lower ureteral stones 10–15 mm in length compared to placebo in adult patients (primary goal) and the need for ureteral dilatation at scheduled ureteroscopy.

Methods

Between November 2017 and November 2019, 80 patients with distal ureteral stones 10–15 mm were divided into two equal groups. One group received tamsulosin 0.4 mg/day and the other received a placebo. Patients were followed-up for 8 weeks.

Results

Six patients of the tamsulosin group (15%) passed their stones spontaneously compared to none of the placebo group (p = 0.026). Two of the 6 patients who passed the ureteral stones developed urinary retention and required endoscopic treatment of urethral stones. So, the adjusted spontaneous ureteral stone passage ratios for the tamsulosin and the control groups were 10 and 0%, respectively (p = 0.12). Overall, 37.5% reported adverse effects in the tamsulosin group, and 30% in the placebo group (p = 0.7). The most common adverse effect reported in both groups was dizziness, which occurred more frequently with tamsulosin (25%) than placebo (22.5%) (p = 0.9). We noticed increased ejaculatory dysfunction among men in the tamsulosin group versus placebo group [17.9% vs. 3.5% (p = 0.1)]. Among patients who needed ureteroscopy, ureteral dilatation was always needed in the control group versus 85.3% of the tamsulosin group (p = 0.015). Although 23.5% of the treatment group didn’t need stents after ureteroscopy compared to only 12.5% of the control group, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.2).

Conclusions

Although tamsulosin significantly increased spontaneous passage of 10–15 mm lower ureteral stones in adults, it did not decrease the need for operative intervention. Preoperative tamsulosin significantly facilitated ureteral dilations during ureteroscopic management.