Molecular Survey of Babesia and Anaplasma Infection in Cattle in Bolivia

Abstract

Latin American countries produce more than a quarter of the world's beef and are a major global supplier of livestock protein. Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a major constraint to the livestock industry worldwide, including in Latin America. The aim of this study was to detect and characterise tick-borne pathogens in cattle from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where no detailed epidemiological data are available. Blood samples were collected from 104 cattle. Apicomplexan parasites were detected by nested PCR amplification of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA), and <i>Anaplasmataceae</i> was screened by the PCR amplification of 16S rDNA, followed by characterisation based on the heat shock protein and citrate synthase gene sequences. <i>Babesia</i> infection was observed in nine cattle (one <i>Babesia bovis</i> and eight <i>Babesia bigemina</i>), while <i>Anaplasmataceae</i> infection was detected in thirty-two cattle. A sequencing analysis confirmed the presence of <i>Anaplasma marginale</i> and <i>Anaplasma platys</i>-like. These results provide the first molecular evidence for the four above-mentioned tick-borne pathogens in cattle in Bolivia. This information improves our understanding of the epidemiology of TBDs and will help in formulating appropriate and improved pathogen control strategies.