Theileria, Babesia, and Anaplasma detected by PCR in ruminant herds at Bié Province, Angola.

P. Široký,M. Kubelová,J. Mazancová

doi:10.1051/parasite/2012194417

Abstract

Distribution of Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Theileria spp., and Ehrlichia ruminantium, was for the first time studied in Bié Province, central Angola. We examined 76 blood samples of cattle originated from seven farms, and 13 blood samples of goats from two farms employing molecular genetic tools (PCR). Most prevalent was A. ovis-infection in goats (100%) and A. marginale-infection in cattle (38% of examined animals, and six out of seven farms). B. bigemina-infection was detected in only one specimen at Andulo, whereas B. bovis was not detected in Bié. We did not detected T. parva, the causative agent of serious diseases in cattle; nevertheless, infection by T. velifera was quite frequent (14% of examined animals, and five out of seven farms). Causative agent of heartwater disease – E. ruminantium, was not detected. Taking into account short-term perspective of PCR methods in monitoring of epidemiological status in herds, the number of infected animals and distribution of detected pathogens should not be ignored.

Highlights

The tick-borne diseases are still closely related to huge economic losses in developing countries (Uilenberg, 1995)
Babesiosis (Tick fever), theilerioses (East Coast fever, January disease, and Corridor disease), ehrlichiosis (Heartwater disease), and anaplasmosis belong to the most important tick-transmitted diseases affecting cattle farming in sub-Saharan Africa
Worldwide distributed bovine babesiosis is caused by infection with intraerythrocytic parasites Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina transmitted by Rhipicephalus

Summary

Introduction

The tick-borne diseases are still closely related to huge economic losses in developing countries (Uilenberg, 1995). Babesiosis (Tick fever), theilerioses (East Coast fever, January disease, and Corridor disease), ehrlichiosis (Heartwater disease), and anaplasmosis belong to the most important tick-transmitted diseases affecting cattle farming in sub-Saharan Africa (i.a. Gachohi et al, 2010; Makala et al, 2003; Okuthe & Buyu, 2006). Worldwide distributed bovine babesiosis is caused by infection with intraerythrocytic parasites Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina transmitted by Rhipicephalus. As a consequence of nearly 30 years lasting civil war, the basic information about current epidemiological status of livestock in Angola is lacking. We suppose that endemic stability in relation to tick-borne diseases is not understood to these days. Presented paper contributes to increase our knowledge on presence and distribution of four major tick-borne pathogens in this country

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