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Parasitology research2010; 108(1); 23-30; doi: 10.1007/s00436-010-2036-2

Horses naturally infected by Trypanosoma vivax in southern Brazil.

Abstract: In this study, we reported the first outbreak of the infection by Trypanosoma vivax in horses in southern Brazil, a non-endemic region where bovines have only recently been found infected by this trypanosome species. We evaluated 12 horses from a farm in southern Brazil, where four horses displayed pale mucous membranes, fever, weight loss, and swelling of abdomen, prepuce, or vulva. The diagnosis of T. vivax was confirmed in four horses by morphological parameters of trypomastigotes in blood smears and species-specific PCR. All T. vivax-infected animals showed anemia, and most showed increased levels of beta-1, beta-2, and gamma globulins. Horses were treated with diminazene aceturate, but cure was not achieved, and the disease relapsed after therapy. These findings demonstrated that Brazilian T. vivax isolates, which were already reported infecting cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep, can be highly pathogenic for horses, causing severe disease and even death of the animals due to the recurrence of the infection.
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Publication Date: 2010-09-05 PubMed ID: 20820805DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-2036-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study reports on the first outbreak of Trypanosoma vivax infection in horses in Southern Brazil, a non-endemic area. The study also describes the symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment and the degree to which the disease can be harmful to horses.

Objective of the Research

  • The objective of this research was to study an outbreak of Trypanosoma vivax infection in horses in a region of southern Brazil where such infections have previously been found only in cattle. The researchers wanted to monitor the symptoms, confirm the diagnosis, and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment options for this parasitic disease.

Methods and Analysis

  • The researchers studied 12 horses on a single farm that exhibited symptoms suggestive of T. vivax infection. Symptoms included pale mucous membranes, fever, weight loss, and swelling of the abdomen, prepuce, or vulva.
  • T. vivax infection was confirmed in four of the horses based on morphological parameters of trypomastigotes in blood smears, and species-specific PCR testing.
  • Analysis demonstrated that all infected horses developed anemia, and most also had an increased level of beta-1, beta-2, and gamma globulins.

Findings

  • The treatment administered to the horses was diminazene aceturate, a common therapy for trypanosome infections.
  • The treatment did not provide a cure, as the disease showed recurrence after therapy.
  • The study’s finding demonstrated that T. vivax, previously seen infecting cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep, can also infect horses and cause severe illness that may lead to the death of the animal.

Significance of the Study

  • This research is significant as it investigates an uncommon occurrence of T. vivax infection in horses in a region where the disease is non-endemic.
  • It emphasizes the potential severity of T. vivax infection in horses and the insufficient treatments for it.
  • By understanding the infection and its impact on equine health, this research could initiate further studies into improved diagnostic methods and treatment options.

Cite This Article

APA
Da Silva AS, Garcia Perez HA, Costa MM, França RT, De Gasperi D, Zanette RA, Amado JA, Lopes ST, Teixeira MM, Monteiro SG. (2010). Horses naturally infected by Trypanosoma vivax in southern Brazil. Parasitol Res, 108(1), 23-30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2036-2

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 108
Issue: 1
Pages: 23-30

Researcher Affiliations

Da Silva, Aleksandro S
  • Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Faixa de Camobi-Km 9, Campus Universitário, Prédio 20, Sala 4232, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, 97105-900. aleksandro_ss@yahoo.com.br
Garcia Perez, Herakles A
    Costa, Márcio M
      França, Raqueli T
        De Gasperi, Diego
          Zanette, Régis A
            Amado, João A
              Lopes, Sonia T A
                Teixeira, Marta M G
                  Monteiro, Silvia G

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Anemia / parasitology
                    • Anemia / pathology
                    • Anemia / veterinary
                    • Animals
                    • Blood / immunology
                    • Blood / parasitology
                    • Brazil / epidemiology
                    • Disease Outbreaks
                    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                    • Horse Diseases / parasitology
                    • Horse Diseases / pathology
                    • Horses / parasitology
                    • Serum Globulins / analysis
                    • Serum Globulins / immunology
                    • Trypanosoma vivax / isolation & purification
                    • Trypanosomiasis, African / parasitology
                    • Trypanosomiasis, African / pathology
                    • Trypanosomiasis, African / veterinary

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