Detection of Babesia bigemina in cattle of different genetic groups and in Rhipicephalus ( Boophilus) microplus tick

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology Vol. 155; no. 3; pp. 281 - 286
• Main Authors: Oliveira, M.C.S., Oliveira-Sequeira, T.C.G., Regitano, L.C.A., Alencar, M.M., Néo, T.A., Silva, A.M., Oliveira, H.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 17.08.2008; Amsterdam; New York: Elsevier
• Subjects: animal pathogens; Animals; Arthropod Vectors - parasitology; Babesia; Babesia - isolation & purification; Babesia - physiology; Babesia bigemina; Babesiosis; Babesiosis - diagnosis; Babesiosis - epidemiology; Babesiosis - parasitology; Babesiosis - veterinary; Beef cattle; Boophilus microplus; Brazil - epidemiology; breed differences; Breeding; calves; Cattle; cattle breeds; Cattle Diseases - diagnosis; Cattle Diseases - epidemiology; Cattle Diseases - genetics; Cattle Diseases - parasitology; cows; crossbreds; DNA, Protozoan - blood; ectoparasites; Female; genetic variation; genotype; hemolymph; Hemolymph - parasitology; Ixodidae; merozoites; Merozoites - physiology; PCR; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rhipicephalus; Rhipicephalus - parasitology; Tick; Tick Infestations - parasitology; Tick Infestations - veterinary; ticks; zebu; Brazil; Beef cattle; Babesiosis; Tick; PCR
• ISSN: 0304-4017; 1873-2550
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.04.022

Babesia bigemina infections were investigated in four genetic groups of beef cattle and in Rhipicephalus ( Boophilus) microplus engorged female ticks. Blood samples and engorged female ticks were collected from 15 cows and 15 calves from each of the following genetic groups: Nelore, Angus × Nelore, Canchim × Nelore, and Simmental × Nelore. Microscopic examination of blood smears and tick hemolymph revealed that merozoites of B. bigemina (6/60) as well as kinetes of Babesia spp. (9/549) were only detected in samples (blood and ticks, respectively) originated from calves. PCR-based methods using primers for specific detection of B. bigemina revealed 100% infection in both calves and cows, regardless the genetic group. Tick infection was detected by nested-PCR amplifications showing that the frequency of B. bigemina was higher ( P < 0.01) in female ticks collected from calves (134/549) than in those collected from cows (52/553). The frequency of B. bigemina was similar in ticks collected from animals, either cows or calves, of the four genetic groups ( P > 0.05).