High Trypanosoma vivax infection rates in water buffalo and cattle in the Brazilian Lower Amazon

• Published in: Parasitology international 2020-12, Vol.79, p.102162-102162, Article 102162
• Main Authors: Garcia Pérez, Herakles Antonio, Rodrigues, Carla Monadeli Filgueira, Pivat, Isis Helga Vivas, Fuzato, Adriana Carlos Rodrigues, Camargo, Erney P., Minervino, Antonio Humberto Hamad, Teixeira, Marta Maria Geraldes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal trypanosomosis; Animals; Brazil - epidemiology; Bubalus bubalis; Buffaloes; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - epidemiology; Cattle Diseases - parasitology; Diagnosis; Genotype; Livestock; Molecular epidemiology; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Trypanosoma vivax - isolation & purification; Trypanosomiasis, African - epidemiology; Trypanosomiasis, African - parasitology; Trypanosomiasis, African - veterinary
• ISSN: 1383-5769; 1873-0329
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102162

Highly sensitive and accurate molecular diagnostic methods have not yet been employed for livestock trypanosomosis in the Brazilian Lower Amazon although the first reports of Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma evansi in Brazil were in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in this region. The present study assessed trypanosomosis in buffalo and cattle raised in communal and seasonally flooding pastures in the state of Pará using the fluorescent fragment length barcoding (FFLB) method. T. evansi was not detected, but high infection rates of T. vivax and T. theileri were revealed by a simplified FFLB standardized in the present study that discriminates all trypanosome species infective to livestock in South America. T. vivax infection rates detected by TviCATL-PCR were 24.6% for cattle (n = 61) and 28.1% for buffalo (n = 89). Using the FFLB method, overall T. vivax infection rates increased to 59.6% and 44.3% for buffalo and cattle, respectively. Furthermore, the predominance of a single microsatellite-based genotype of T. vivax was reinforced in the Lower Amazon. Relevant T. vivax infection rates detected in clinically healthy buffalo and cattle through the sampled years (2008–2017) highlight the need for systematic studies to demonstrate the endemic steady state of T. vivax in this region. Our findings provide baseline information for livestock management, including control of T. vivax dispersal, and the introduction of naïve animals. The growing international trade of live livestock from this very important livestock breeding region represents a serious risk for T. vivax spreading outside Amazonia and Brazil. [Display omitted] •Trypanosomosis of livestock in the seasonally flooded pastures of Brazilian Lower Amazon.•High infection rates of Trypanosoma vivax and T. theileri in buffalo and cattle.•TviCATL-PCR and a fluorescent barcoding detected cryptic trypanosomosis in livestock.•Lower Amazon is an important source of clinically healthy T. vivax infected livestock.•Traders of live livestock must control T. vivax dispersion outside Amazonia and Brazil.