Aspectos epidemiológicos das infecções por Babesia bovis e Babesia bigemina em bovinos de leite na ilha de São Luis - MA

Abstract

This research was aimed to study seroepidemiological aspects of bovine babesiosis at the São Luís Island, State of Maranhão, as well as obtain information about the disease situation in the population and relate the results with management information. The detection of antibodies against B. bovis and B. bigemina was carried out by the indirect fluorescent antibody Test (IFAT) and by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Bovine blood samples were collected from animal of São Luís, Raposa, São José de Ribamar and Paço do Lumiar. A total of 281 blood samples were collected, this number was determined by a mathematical model. From the total of samples 262 (93.2%) and 275 (97.9%) were seropositive for B. bovis by IFAT and ELISA, respectively. For B. bigemina, 264 (94%) of the samples were seropositive by IFAT and 275 (97.9%) by ELISA. There wasn’t significant statistical difference between these methods. The parasitological exam through blood smear detected 22 (7.8%) of seropositive animals. It was possible to conclude that despite of the management the animals were exposed to B. bovis and B. bigemina and they are in a situation of enzootic stability for babesiosis, which indicate a risk of economic looses when susceptible animals from enzootic instability or free regions are introduced in the studied area.