Epidemiology of Babesia, Anaplasma and Trypanosoma species using a new expanded reverse line blot hybridization assay

Vector-borne hemoparasitic infections are a major problem that affects livestock industries worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. In this work, a reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization assay was developed for the simultaneous detection and identification of Anaplasma, Babesia and bovine trypanosomes, encompassing in this way the most relevant hemoparasites that affect cattle. A total of 186 bovine blood samples collected from two different ecoepidemiological regions of northeast Argentina, with and without tick control, were analyzed with this new RLB. High diversity of parasites, such as Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, Anaplasma marginale and three different Trypanosoma species, was found. High rates of coinfections were also detected, and significant differences were observed not only in the prevalence of parasites but also in the level of coinfections between the two analyzed areas. Regarding the Trypanosoma genus, we provide molecular evidence of the presence of T. vivax and T. theileri for the first time in Argentina. Besides, since the RLB is a prospective tool, it allowed the identification of a yet unknown bovine trypanosome which could not be assigned to any of the bovine species known so far. In the present study we provide new insights on the prevalence of several pathogens that directly impact on livestock production in Argentina. The RLB assay developed here allows to identify simultaneously numerous pathogenic species which can also be easily expanded to detect other blood borne pathogens. These characteristics make the RLB hybridization assay an essential tool for epidemiological survey of all vector-borne pathogens.

Instituto de Biotecnología

Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Colonia Benitez

Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mercedes

Fil: Paoletta, Martina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina

Fil: Lopez Arias, Ludmila Sol. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina

Fil: De La Fourniere, Sofia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina

Fil: Guillemi, Eliana Carolina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina

Fil: Luciani, Carlos. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Colonia Benitez; Argentina

Fil: Sarmiento, Nestor Fabian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Mercedes; Argentina

Fil: Mosqueda Gualito, Juan Joel. Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales; México

Fil: Farber, Marisa Diana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina

Fil: Wilkowsky, Silvina Elizabeth. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina