Trypanosoma sp. infection in cattle in Argentina. Distribution and characterization of diagnosed cases

MARTÍN ALLASSIA1, EMMANUEL ANGELI1, SEBASTIÁN VOLKART1, VICTORIA REINALS1, FABIÁN AGUIRRE2, MARCELO RUIZ2, FIORELA PONTARELLI2, LUCAS MONJE3; BONTEMPI IVAN; ANDREA FLORENTIN

Madrid

Congreso; 31st World Buiatrics Congress; 2022

The National Association of Spanish Specialists in Bovine Medicine (ANEMBE)

Trypanosoma spp. are protozoan hemoparasites thatcause different clinical manifestations in various animal species, including man. The animals can be carriers or develop acute to chronic clinical signs. These may be of differentseverity, even with an important economic-social impact. InAmerica, the main agent is T. vivax, of mechanical transmission by hematophagous vectors such as Stomoxys sp. andTabanus sp. It is also spread by iatrogenia. In Argentina, T. vivax was diagnosed for the first time by Monzón in Formosa in2006. Since 2016, we have observed several clinical presentations in different dairy and beef herds from central Argentina,located in the province of Santa Fe, Córdoba and Santiagodel Estero. The most frequent signs were anemia, weight loss,lower production, abortions, edema, diarrhea, sudden deaths.In some cases, there were misdiagnosis, confusing the disease with anemic diseases (anaplasmosis, babesiosis), abortigenic diseases (fetopathies such as leptospirosis), digestiveprocesses (mycotoxicosis). The values of packed-cell volumeand proteinemia were variable, the liver profile (GGT andGOT) was altered, and the Woo technique positive in somecases. The main lesions correspond to a syndrome of anemia and a generalized lymphoadenomegaly. Some cases withhemoperitoneum, without rupture of the spleen or large bloodvessels. Microscopically, lymphadenitis and anemia lesionswere observed, such as centrilobular necrosis, erythrophagocytosis. The severity of the cases was diverse, influencedby the productive system (beaf or dairy), level of production(advanced gestation, peripartum, high production), stressfulsituations (sudden death in caloric stress). The severity ofthe cases was diverse, influenced by the productive system(beef versus milk), level of production (advanced gestation,peripartum, high production), stressful situations (suddendeath in caloric stress). Some cases were closely related to massive vaccinations, and in very few there was a co-infection with Anaplasma marginale. In some of them it was possible to have a PCR molecular analysis corresponding to T.vivax. The treatment established had a positive effect with fewrecurrences. There were untreated parasitized animals withno signology (asymptomatic). In some of these asymptomaticherds, the reproductive indexes were lower than in previousyears. It is essential to identify the hematophagous vectorspresent, to know their ecology, distribution and behavior, inorder to prevent and control the diseases transmitted by them,and to determine how weather conditions may influence thedynamics of infection. The productive conditions of domesticanimals must be considered in order to improve their immunological status. In addition, the trade and movement of animalsbetween regions must be known, understood and analyzed.Applying the concepts of spatial epidemiology and medical geography is essential to prevent the consequences of this andother diseases.