First outbreak and subsequent cases of Trypanosoma vivax in the state of Goiás, Brazil

Abstract

Trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma vivax has increased the reports in Brazil in the last decade. An outbreak is herein first reported in the state of Goiás, from May 2016 to January 2017. The outbreak start occurred in the city of Ipameri (Goiás) after the introduction of 18 auctioned cows from the state of Minas Gerais. Direct parasitological test (blood smears) and polymerase chain reactions targeting the catL genes diagnosed T. vivax infection. Fifty six cows from a herd of 161 were infected; 12 died during the outbreak and 44 animals persistently positive (by blood smears) even after chemical treatment were discarded. After this first case, five other cases were detected in state of Goiás. The spread of this disease can be linked to the commercialization of animals carrying T. vivax, allied to the iatrogenic transmission practice, using a single needle and syringe for all cows, during oxytocin administration before each milking.Keywords: Bovines, lactating cows, oxytocin, PCR, Trypanosomiasis, T. vivax. ResumoTripanossomíase causada por Trypanosoma vivax tem sido reportada em várias regiões do Brasil na última década. Um surto é aqui reportado no Estado de Goiás, de maio de 2016 a janeiro de 2017. O início do referido surto ocorreu na cidade de Ipameri (Goiás) depois da introdução de 18 vacas Girolando, provenientes do Estado de Minas Gerais. Pelo exame parasitológico direto (esfregaço sanguíneo) e pela reação em cadeia pela polimerase, identificou-se a infecção por T. vivax nos animais. Cinquenta e uma vacas de um rebanho de 161 foram infectadas; 12 morreram durante o surto e 44 animais permaneceram positivos (pelo esfregaço sanguíneo) mesmo recebendo tratamento químico (diminazene), e foram descartadas. Após esse primeiro caso, foram detectados outros cinco casos no Estado de Goiás. A disseminação dessa doença pode estar ligada à comercialização de animais portadores de T. vivax, aliada à prática de transmissão iatrogênica, utilizando-se uma única agulha e seringa para, todas as vacas, durante a administração da oxitocina antes de cada ordenha.Palavras-chave: Bovinos, vacas em lactação, oxitocina, PCR, Tripanossomíase, T. vivax.

Epidemiological and molecular identification ofTrypanosoma vivaxdiagnosed in cattle during outbreaks in central Brazil

“…Over the past 16 years, T. vivax has spread rapidly across Brazil (Linhares et al ., 2006; Batista et al ., 2007; Carvalho et al ., 2008; Guerra et al ., 2008; Silva et al ., 2009; Cadioli et al ., 2012; Pimentel et al ., 2012; Andrade Neto e André, 2015; Costa et al ., 2016; Bastos et al ., 2017; Vieira et al ., 2017; Lopes et al ., 2018). In 11 of the publications cited, outbreaks occurred in Girolando dairy cattle; 10 reported the introduction of new animals to the herd and seven reported the use of oxytocin and/or vaccines as the predisposing factor for the occurrence of trypanosomosis in the respective herds.…”

“…In sub-Saharan Africa, the transmission of this protozoa occurs biologically through the tsetse fly ( Glossina spp.). In Central and South America, transmission occurs mechanically by biting flies (tabanids, Stomoxys calcitrans and Haematobia irritans) or by iatrogenic means (Cadioli et al ., 2012; Dagnachew and Bezie, 2015; Bastos et al ., 2017).…”

Serological occurrence for tick-borne agents in beef cattle in the Brazilian Pantanal

“…In Brazil, the expanding geographic distribution of T. vivax has resulted from the livestock moving between endemic regions and those where the conditions are favorable (climate favorable to hematophagous dipterans, animals lacking prior immunity to the parasite, and the permanent practice of sharing blood-contaminated needles [fomites] during vaccination and application of oxytocin) (Cadioli et al, 2012;Bastos et al, 2017;Andrade Neto et al, 2019). The results showed that cows are significantly more exposed to T. vivax compared to calves, which may be related to the longer period in contact with hematophagous mechanical vectors and fomites (especially due to shared needles).…”

Coxiella burnetii associated with BVDV (Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus), BoHV (Bovine Herpesvirus), Leptospira spp., Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma vivax in reproductive disorders in cattle

“…Our study did not find significant differences regarding the presence of antibodies against T. vivax across the cows sampled in the four states, which suggests that the parasite is being scattered across the country. Such expansion of its geographical distribution in Brazil is mainly due to the movement of cattle from endemic regions to those where there is a favorable epidemiological situation (climatic conditions favoring the presence of hematophagous dipterans, animals without prior immunity to the parasite in question and long-standing practice of sharing needles contaminated with blood [fomites] during vaccination and application of oxytocin) (CADIOLI et al, 2012;BASTOS et al, 2017).…”