Diagnóstico de Trypanosoma vivax e Trypanosoma evansi em amostras de sangues de jumentos (Equus asinus) e burros (Equus asinus x Equus cabalus) na ilha de São Luís, Maranhão

Abstract

Trypanosomiasis is a disease caused by a group of pathogenic protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma spp., which has a wide distribution and worldwide economic importance. The disease is characterized by the intermittent appearance of parasites in the blood of infected individuals and anemia. Affected animals show reduced weight and decreased productivity. In Brazil, little is known about the epidemiology of Trypanosoma evansi and T. vivax in Equus asinus, making studies on the serological and molecular evaluation of the protozoan in these animals on the island of São Luís scarce. cause of trypanosomiasis in a population of donkeys (Equus asinus) and donkeys (Equus cabalus) from the island of São Luís do Maranhão through direct detection, with blood smears and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The work was carried out in the municipalities of the Metropolitan Region of São Luís (São Luís, Raposa, Paço do Lumiar and São José de Ribamar). Donkeys and donkeys from the four municipalities were randomly sampled, totaling 100 animals. The results obtained from this research served as a basis for expanding the scientific and epidemiological knowledge of trypanosomiasis belonging to the Metropolitan Region of São Luís, Maranhão. The research contributed to other studies on trypanosomiasis in Equus asinus and Equus caballus and in other animals that can also serve as reservoirs of the disease. Contributing to the state's epidemiological data, as it is now known that part of the equines on the island of São Luís have no prevalence for the disease.