Abstract: Babesia species are tick-borne protozoan parasites which affect several animal species. Babesia spp. infections are significantly important for veterinary medicine, affecting a wide range of domestic animal species such as dogs, cattle, and horses. In Colombia, studies of Babesia spp. infections in domestic animals are scarce. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the circulation of these parasites among domestic canines, bovines and equines from the department of Cauca. Methods: Between August and November, 2017, active domestic animal sampling of cattle was performed in eight rural areas of four municipalities of Cauca department. Serum and whole-blood samples were obtained from all specimens for serological and molecular tests. Immunofluorescence assays were performed on all serum samples to detect antibodies against Babesia spp., and DNA was extracted from whole-blood samples to perform a genus-specific PCR to identify the presence of Babesia spp. Results: A total of 198 samples were collected: 52.5% from dogs, 32.3% from horses, and 15.2% from cattle. Seroprevalence rates showed that 58.1% of domestic animals were exposed to Babesia spp., with the highest rates among equines (65.6%). Molecular detection revealed that 17.7% had an active Babesia spp. infection, being more frequent among cattle (53.3%). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Babesia bigemina was the primary species identified. Conclusions: This study provides critical data on Babesia infections in domestic animals in Cauca department, revealing active infections and previous exposures among domestic animals from the region.
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Overview
The study investigated the presence and exposure to Babesia species parasites among domestic dogs, cattle, and horses in rural areas of Cauca department, Colombia.
It combined serological testing to detect past exposure and molecular methods to identify current infections, providing insights into Babesia circulation in these animals.
Introduction to Babesia spp. and Study Rationale
Babesia spp. are protozoan parasites transmitted by ticks, infecting various animal species and causing babesiosis, a disease significant in veterinary medicine.
Infections impact domestic animals such as dogs, cattle, and horses, leading to economic losses and health issues.
There is limited research about Babesia infections in domestic animals in Colombia, particularly in Cauca department.
The study aimed to fill this gap by assessing both past exposure and active infection rates of Babesia in domestic canines, bovines, and equines in rural Cauca.
Methods
Sampling took place from August to November 2017 in eight rural locations across four municipalities in Cauca.
Samples collected included serum and whole blood from the three animal species: dogs, cattle, and horses.
Serological testing was done using immunofluorescence assays (IFA) to detect antibodies against Babesia spp., indicating previous exposure.
Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood to perform genus-specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), aimed at detecting active Babesia infection.
Results
A total of 198 animal samples were analyzed: 104 (52.5%) from dogs, 64 (32.3%) from horses, and 30 (15.2%) from cattle.
Seroprevalence (past exposure) to Babesia spp. was 58.1% overall among domestic animals.
Equines (horses) had the highest seroprevalence at 65.6%, suggesting they had the most frequent previous exposure to Babesia parasites.
Molecular detection via PCR revealed that 17.7% of animals were actively infected at the time of sampling.
Cattle showed the highest rate of active infection (53.3%), despite having the smallest sample size among the three species.
Phylogenetic analysis of PCR products primarily identified Babesia bigemina as the species infecting these animals.
Conclusions and Significance
This research provides important epidemiological data on Babesia infections among domestic animals in Cauca, Colombia.
Evidence of both past exposure and active infection suggests endemic circulation of Babesia parasites in rural settings affecting multiple species.
The identification of Babesia bigemina highlights a potential focus for veterinary intervention given its role in bovine babesiosis.
Findings underscore the need for improved monitoring, tick control, and animal health strategies to manage this tick-borne disease in domestic animals.
The study helps inform policymakers and veterinarians about local parasite risks and supports the development of regional disease control programs.
Cite This Article
APA
Silva-Ramos CR, Niño Rodríguez JA, Gil-Mora J, Betancourt-Ruiz P, Martínez-Díaz HC, Forero-Becerra E, Matiz-González JM, Bolaños E, Olaya-M LA, Benavides E, Hidalgo M.
(2025).
Babesia spp. in Domestic Animals from Rural Areas of Cauca Department: Previous Exposure and Molecular Detection Among Canines, Bovines and Equines.
Acta Parasitol, 70(6), 225.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-025-01156-2
Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 No. 43-82, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
Niño Rodríguez, Juan Andrés
Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 No. 43-82, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
Gil-Mora, Juliana
Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 No. 43-82, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
Betancourt-Ruiz, Paola
Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 No. 43-82, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
Martínez-Díaz, Heidy- C
Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 No. 43-82, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.
Centro de Investigaciones Odontologicas, Facultad de Odontología, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.
Forero-Becerra, Elkin
Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales, Bogotá, Colombia.
Matiz-González, J Manuel
Molecular Genetics and Antimicrobial Resistance Unit, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia.
Bolaños, Eliana
Secretaría Departamental de Salud, Atlántico, Colombia.
Olaya-M, Luz-Adriana
Universidad Libre, Seccional Cali, Cali, Colombia.
Benavides, Efraín
Grupo Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá, Colombia.
Hidalgo, Marylin
Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Carrera 7 No. 43-82, Bogotá, Bogotá D.C., Colombia. hidalgo.m@javeriana.edu.co.
MeSH Terms
Babesia / isolation & purification
Animals
Cattle / parasitology
Dogs / parasitology
Horses / parasitology
Babesiosis / epidemiology
Colombia / epidemiology
Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
Cattle Diseases / parasitology
Horse Diseases / epidemiology
Horse Diseases / parasitology
Dog Diseases / epidemiology
Dog Diseases / parasitology
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Phylogeny
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. All authors have seen and approved the submitted manuscript. Authors warrant that the article has not received prior publication and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. On behalf of all co-authors, the corresponding author shall bear full responsibility for the submission.
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