Prevalência de hemoparasitas em bovinos na microrregião do brejo paraibano

Abstract

Cattle farming is a livestock activity practiced throughout the world, and sanitary management is extremely important for its profitable maintenance. Babesiosis, caused by the protozoan Babesia spp., and anaplasmosis, caused by Rickettsia Anaplasma marginale, both transmitted by ticks, are among the most important hemoparasitosis in cattle breeding, which can reduce profits and even make the activity unfeasible. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of these diseases in the microregion of Brejo Paraibano, addressing their epidemiological characteristics. The study was carried out in 23 properties in the region, distributed in the municipalities of Alagoa Grande, Alagoa Nova, Areia, Bananeiras, Borborema, Pilões and Serraria. A total of 183 cattle, of both sexes and aged over 6 months, were analyzed. Field activities included the application of an epidemiological questionnaire and blood collection by jugular vein puncture to prepare blood smear slides and determination of globular volume by microhematocrit. Field activities included the application of an epidemiological questionnaire and blood collection by jugular vein puncture to prepare blood smear slides and determination of globular volume by microhematocrit. The prevalence of cattle infected with hemoparasitosis was 64.5% (118/183), 29.5% (54/183) being infected only with A. marginale, 11.5% (21/183) infected only with Babesia spp . and 23.5% (43/183) had co-infection with both parasites. In some properties none of the parasites were found, which may have been caused by the low number of animals analyzed, or by the low parasitemia or the low sensitivity technique. The mean globular volume of the animals was 30.7%, which is within the normal range for the species. However, was founded 1 animal that presented an 11% hematocrit, in addition to the observation of clinical symptoms of hemoparasitosis. Crossbred cattle (crossing between zebu and taurine) was the most prevalent breed found, followed by animals of the Girolando, Nellore and Gir breeds. During visits to the properties, the massive presence of ectoparasites, mainly horn flies and ticks, was observed, in addition to reports of the presence of horseflies and stable flies. It was also verified that the properties offered the necessary organic matter for the ectoparasites to complete their life cycle, such as the presence of feces in the corrals and wetlands, in addition to the hot and humid climate of the region. Therefore, it can be concluded that the microregion of Brejo Paraibano has enzootic characteristics favorable to the dissemination of babesiosis and anaplasmosis in cattle herds, requiring the institution of prophylactic methods for the control of ectoparasites and monitoring of the level of infection of hemoparasitosi