Korean J Parasitol.  2019 Apr;57(2):191-195. 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.2.191.

Epizootic Infection by Trypanosoma vivax in Cattle from the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

• de Oliveira Reis M
• Souza FR
• Albuquerque AS
• Monteiro F
• dos Santos Oliveira LF
• Raymundo D
• Wouters F
• Wouters AT
• Peconick A
• Varaschin

• KMID: 2448152
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2019.57.2.191

Abstract

Trypanosomiasis is caused by a pathogenic protozoan of the genus Trypanosoma, being Trypanosoma vivax the most important agent for cattle. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the expansion of T. vivax infection in different mesoregions of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and describe the clinicopathological findings of trypanosomiasis in cattle. The diagnosis was based on visualization of the parasite in blood smears and DNA detection of T. vivax in the blood of live cows and tissues of necropsied animals by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thirty suspected herds were tested, of which 11 were positive for T. vivax. The most frequent clinical signs were anemia, apathy, drop in milk production, weight loss, reproductive disorders, and nervous signs. Concomitant diseases, such as malignant edema, pneumonia and increased cases of mastitis were associated with T. vivax infection. Three cows were necropsied and the most significant findings were low body condition score, pale mucous and spleen with white pulp hyperplasia. The results demonstrated the expansion of T. vivax infection in Minas Gerais, that PCR-associated blood smears are promising for diagnosis, and that other diseases often occur concomitantly to T. vivax infection in regions with trypanosomiasis in cattle.

Keyword

anemia; parasitic diseases; ruminants; trypanosomiasis

MeSH Terms

Anemia
Animals
Apathy
Brazil*
Cattle*
Diagnosis
DNA
Edema
Female
Hyperplasia
Mastitis
Milk
Parasites
Parasitic Diseases
Pneumonia
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Ruminants
Spleen
Trypanosoma vivax*
Trypanosoma*
Trypanosomiasis
Weight Loss
DNA