Real-time PCR on skin biopsies for super-spreaders’ detection in bovine besnoitiosis

Abstract

Background Bovine besnoitiosis, an emerging disease in Europe that can be transmitted by vectors, is caused by the apicomplexan Besnoitia besnoiti. Bovine besnoitiosis is difficult to control due to the complexity of its diagnosis in the acute stage of the disease, poor treatment success and chronically asymptomatic cattle acting as parasite reservoirs. When serological prevalence is low, detection and specific culling of seropositive cattle is feasible; however, economic considerations preclude this approach when serological prevalence is high. The aims of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of detection of super-spreaders in highly infected herds and to test their selective elimination as a new control strategy for bovine besnoitiosis. Methods Previous real-time PCR analyses performed on skin tissues from 160 asymptomatic animals sampled at slaughterhouses showed that the tail base was the best location to evaluate the dermal parasite DNA load. All seropositive animals (n = 518) from eight dairy or beef cattle farms facing a high serological prevalence of besnoitiosis were sampled at the tail base and their skin sample analysed by real-time PCR. A recommendation of rapid and selective culling of super-spreaders was formulated and provided to the cattle breeders. Subsequent serological monitoring of naïve animals was used to evaluate the interest of this control strategy over time. Results Among the 518 seropositive animals, a low proportion of individuals (14.5%) showed Cq values below 36, 17.8% had doubtful results (36 < Cq ≤ 40) and 67.8% had negative PCR results. These proportions were grossly similar on the eight farms, regardless of their production type (beef or dairy cattle), size, geographical location or history of besnoitiosis. Within two weeks of the biopsy, the rapid culling of super-spreaders was implemented on only three farms. The numbers of newly infected animals were lower on these farms compared to those where super-spreaders were maintained in the herd. Conclusions Real-time PCR analyses performed on skin biopsies of seropositive cattle showed huge individual variabilities in parasite DNA load. The rapid culling of individuals considered as super-spreaders seems to be a new and encouraging strategy for bovine besnoitiosis control.

First Expert Elicitation of Knowledge on Drivers of Emergence of Bovine Besnoitiosis in Europe

“…As an example of a recent advance, real-time PCR on skin biopsies permitted the detection of super-spreaders in BB [ 1 ] and identification/elimination of these super-spreaders contribute to disease control in heavily infected herds. The control of stable flies can be difficult by the development of insecticide resistance [ 19 ] and nothing is known about the eventual resistance of horseflies to insecticides (or even their effectiveness).…”

“…Bovine besnoitiosis (BB) is a chronic and a debilitating parasitic disease of cattle caused by a protozoan parasite called Besnoitia besnoiti [ 1 ]. Besnoitia spp.…”

Impact of Endemic Besnoitiosis on the Performance of a Dairy Cattle Herd

“…The control of bovine besnoitiosis is difficult, and measures such as the culling of seropositive animals, animals with severe clinical signs, or even limited to animals considered super-spreaders [33] have substantial impact on a farm. Our results highlight the need to evaluate the economic impact of the disease on dairy herd production systems to assist in the adoption of more adequate measures at herd and regional levels.…”