Detection of Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis by different diagnostic techniques in cattle from the Vassouras municipality, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to determine the presence of Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina, and Babesia bovis in cattle from the Vassouras municipality (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) using different diagnostic techniques. Blood samples were collected from 226 animals across eight farms using collection tubes with and without anticoagulant. DNA extraction was performed, and molecular analyses were carried out using specific primers targeting the msp5 (A. marginale), sbp-4 (B. bovis), and rap-1a (B. bigemina) genes. In addition, blood smears were prepared, and indirect ELISA serological testing was performed. Nested PCR revealed frequencies of 73.5 % for A. marginale, 27.9 % for B. bovis, and 35 % for B. bigemina. In the blood smear examination, A. marginale was detected in 42.9 % of the animals, whereas Babesia spp. were observed in only 0.88 % of them. Seropositivity rates were 26.5 % for A. marginale, 27.9 % for B. bigemina, and 66.4 % for B. bovis. Animals up to one year of age showed higher infection frequencies by molecular diagnosis, and A. marginale was the pathogen most frequently associated with anaemia. These findings confirm the active circulation of these haemoparasites in cattle from the study area and highlight the importance of using complementary diagnostic approaches to better understand the epidemiology of bovine tick-borne diseases.