Molecular Diagnosis and Prevalence of Trypanosoma vivax (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) in Buffaloes and Ectoparasites in the Brazilian Amazon Region

J Med Entomol. 2021 Jan 12;58(1):403-407. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjaa145.

Abstract

Trypanosoma vivax Ziemann is a parasite that affects both wild and domestic ungulates and is transmitted mechanically via tabanids and other blood-sucking insects in the Americas. A total of 621 blood samples from water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis (Linnaeus) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae), and 184 ectoparasite samples (Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius) sensu stricto and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) (Acari: Ixodidae), and Haematopinus tuberculatus (Burmeister) (Phthiraptera: Haematopinidae)) were obtained from 60 farms in the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. Twelve buffalo blood samples (1.89%) and 11 ectoparasites (6%) were positive for T. vivax based on the cathepsin L-like gene. All sequences were 99% similar to T. vivax from northeastern Brazil (EU753788) in amplified PCR assays on each of the hosts tested.

Keywords: Amazonia; Trypanosomiasis; lice; molecular diagnosis; tick.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amblyomma / parasitology*
  • Animals
  • Anoplura / parasitology*
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Buffaloes*
  • Cathepsin L / analysis
  • Prevalence
  • Protozoan Proteins / analysis
  • Rhipicephalus / parasitology*
  • Trypanosoma vivax / isolation & purification*
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / blood
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / diagnosis
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / epidemiology
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / veterinary*

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Cathepsin L