Prevalence and control of Babesiosis in the Americas

Abstract

This review presents up-to-date information on the distribution and control measures of babesiosis in Latin America. Bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia bovis and B. bigemia will be emphasized. The disease is endemic in most countries and poses a serious economic burden on livestock production in the region (U.S. $1365 million/year, FAO, 1989). Of the estimated 250 million cattle in Central and South America, approximately 175 million (70%) are in tick-infested regions. Humid, tropical and subtropical areas favor development of the main vector, the one-host tick Boophilus microplus. In many regions bovine babesiosis is enzootically stable as a consequence of a balanced host-parasite relationship. However, Latin America offers a wide range of epidemiologic conditions that are influenced by variations from tropical to cool climates and by susceptible purebred cattle that are regularly imported to upgrade local stocks. The control measures employed in most countries for babesiosis essentially rely on chemotherapy, use of acaricides for B. microplus, and to a lesser degree, on immunization methods. In general, these measures are expensive, time consuming, and in many cases, provide limited success. Finally, the zoonotic potential of babesiosis will be addressed, with special emphasis on the situation in the United States. Even though bovine babesiosis has long been eradicated from the U.S.A., human babesiosis is endemic in the northeastern region of the country.

Atypical challenging and first case report of babesiosis in Ecuador

“…Babesiosis is known to be prevalent in the Eastern United States and other temperate countries but the prevalence of babesiosis is not well known in the tropical malaria-endemic countries because of the higher prevalence of malaria. However, it is known that cattle babesiosis is a large problem with significant economic costs [10] . The most prevalent species of babesia that infect cattle and livestock in South America are Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis which the latter is more pathogenic [10] .…”

“…However, it is known that cattle babesiosis is a large problem with significant economic costs [10] . The most prevalent species of babesia that infect cattle and livestock in South America are Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis which the latter is more pathogenic [10] . The tick vector of cattle babesiosis is primarily Boophilus microplus , which is distributed globally throughout the tropics [10] .…”

“…The most prevalent species of babesia that infect cattle and livestock in South America are Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis which the latter is more pathogenic [10] . The tick vector of cattle babesiosis is primarily Boophilus microplus , which is distributed globally throughout the tropics [10] . This species is not thought to bite humans unlike the Ixodes tick [11] .…”

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Microplus Ticks can Complete their Life Cycle on the Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

“…Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is considered to be the most widespread tick parasite of livestock. Only in Central and South America, about 175 million cattle are exposed to this tick, which corresponds to approximately 70% of the cattle raised in this area [1]. The negative impact of ticks on cattle production is due to both direct and indirect effects.…”

Ocorrência de Babesia sp em pequenos roedores no Brasil

“…A babesiose é uma doença cosmopolita e sua transmissão de animais infectados para o homem tem sido bem demonstrada, sendo atualmente considerada uma doença emergente (Brasseur e Gorenflot, 1992), já documentada em muitos países (Montenegro-James, 1992;Gorenflot et al, 1998;Saito-Ito et al, 1999). No Brasil, o primeiro registro de caso de infecção humana por Babesia sp.…”