Analysis of the prevalence of vector-borne bovine pathogens in Argentina through the use of a new optimized RLB hybridization assay

PAOLETTA M; LUCIANI C; LOPEZ ARIAS L; DE LA FOURNIERE S; GUILLEMI E; SARMIENTO N; MOSQUEDA J; FARBER M; WILKOWSKY S

Cairns

Congreso; 9th Tick and Tick Borne Pathogen Conference & 1st Asia Pacific Rickettsia Conference; 2017

Epidemiological surveillance of vector-borne pathogens requires the use of methods of high sensitivity and specificity.In this work, a new reverse line blot hybridization assay (RLBH) was developed for the detection of trypanosomes of veterinary relevance (T. vivax, T. theileri and T. evansi) and further combined with the previous RLBH for Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. The rationale behind this development is to have a single molecular test for the simultaneous detection and identification of the most relevant hemoparasites that affect cattle. The RLBH was tested with a total of 186 bovine samples collected from two different ecoepidemiological regions of Argentina, with and without tick control. Overall results showed high diversity of parasites, such as Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, Anaplasma marginale and three different Trypanosoma species. High rates of coinfections were also detected, and significant differences were observed not only in the prevalence of parasites but also in the level of coinfections between the two analyzed areas. For the first time in Argentina, data of the prevalence of bovine trypanosomes was obtained through molecular methods. Moreover, the RLBH worked as a prospective tool allowing the identification of an unknown trypanosome species that has not yet been characterized. The RLBH assay developed here is a molecular diagnostic tool that allows the simultaneous detection of eight species of bovine hemoparasites from different genera and can also be easily expanded to detect other blood borne pathogens. These characteristics make the RLBH a valuable tool that improves our capacity for integrated epidemiological survey.