Bovine abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death associated with Babesia bovis and Anaplasma sp. infections in southern Brazil

Abstract

Anaplasmosis and babesiosis are tick-borne diseases widely disseminated in cattle herds in many parts of the world. These diseases represent important causes of death and economic losses in several countries, including Brazil, and are characterized by hemolytic disease and anemia. Animals of all ages may be affected. Although transplacental infections are known to occur, abortion, stillbirth and neonatal death directly associated with Anaplasma marginale and especially Babesia spp. infections have rarely been documented in cattle. The objective of the present study is to describe the pathological and molecular findings of two cases of bovine abortion, two cases of stillbirth and two cases of neonatal death associated with intrauterine anaplasmosis and/or babesiosis in southern Brazil. All cases occurred in beef farms in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, between 2017 and 2019. Angus and crossbred calves were affected. At the necropsy, the main gross lesions observed included different degrees of splenomegaly, enlarged and yellow liver, thick and grumous bile, pallor or jaundice of mucous membranes and carcass, and dark kidneys. Four calves also presented cherry-pink discoloration of the central nervous system. Cytological slides enabled the observation of intraerythrocytic organisms consistent with Babesia bovis (3/6) and A. marginale (2/6). Through PCR assays, it was possible to detect three cases of Babesia sp. infection alone, and one case of Anaplasma sp. infection alone. Co-infections with Anaplasma sp. and Babesia sp. were detected in two cases. These findings reaffirm that anaplasmosis and babesiosis should be considered as an important differential diagnosis of fetal loss, stillbirth and neonatal death in cattle in areas where these diseases occur.