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

Abstract

Vector-borne hemoparasitic infections are a major problem that affects livestock industries worldwide, particularlyin tropical and subtropical regions. In this work, a reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization assay was developedfor the simultaneous detection and identification of Anaplasma, Babesia and bovine trypanosomes, encompassingin this way the most relevant hemoparasites that affect cattle. A total of 186 bovine blood samplescollected 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, Anaplasmamarginale and three different Trypanosoma species, was found. High rates of coinfections were also detected, andsignificant differences were observed not only in the prevalence of parasites but also in the level of coinfectionsbetween the two analyzed areas. Regarding the Trypanosoma genus, we provide molecular evidence of thepresence of T. vivax and T. theileri for the first time in Argentina. Besides, since the RLB is a prospective tool, itallowed the identification of a yet unknown bovine trypanosome which could not be assigned to any of thebovine species known so far. In the present study we provide new insights on the prevalence of several pathogensthat directly impact on livestock production in Argentina. The RLB assay developed here allows to identifysimultaneously numerous pathogenic species which can also be easily expanded to detect other blood bornepathogens. These characteristics make the RLB hybridization assay an essential tool for epidemiological surveyof all vector-borne pathogens.