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Veterinary parasitology2005; 131(1-2); 119-127; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.04.033

Ticks and tick-borne disease in Guatemalan cattle and horses.

Abstract: Blood samples and ticks were collected from 48 cattle and 74 horses from seven sites in the Peten region of Guatemala. Data on body condition, mucous membrane capillary refill time and tick infestation levels were recorded for each animal in the study. Horses had significantly higher levels of tick infestation than cattle, as well as poorer body condition scores. Seroprevalence of Babesia spp. was 95.8% for B. bovis in cattle, 89.6% for B. bigemina in cattle, and 92.7% for B. equi in horses. Seroprevalence of Anaplasma marginale in cattle was 87.5%, similar to reports in animals from other regions of Central America. This is the first time that A. phagocytophilum has been reported in animals from this region, with overall PCR-prevalence of 27.6% in cattle and horses, and seroprevalence of 28.4% (52% in cattle and 13% in horses). An agent was identified with serological cross-reactivity and close genetic relatedness to Ehrlichia ruminantium, but further testing confirmed that the agent in Guatemalan cows was not the agent of heartwater. Ticks were identified to species with the predominant species identified on cattle as Boophilus microplus and Amblyomma cajennense, while Anocentor nitens and A. cajennense were most commonly found on horses. Prevalence of infection, tick infestation levels, host factors and environmental data were analyzed for association; A. nitens was significantly associated with A. phagocytophilum prevalence by village.
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Publication Date: 2005-06-07 PubMed ID: 15936147DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.04.033Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 research involved taking samples from cattle and horses from different parts of the Peten region in Guatemala, focusing mainly on the idea of understanding the spread of tick-borne diseases in these animals. The results indicated a high prevalence of Babesia and Anaplasma species, with horses showing higher tick infestation than cattle. This study was also the first to report the presence of A. phagocytophilum in the region.

Study Procedure

  • The study involved collection of blood samples and ticks from 48 cattle and 74 horses across seven different sites in the Peten region of Guatemala.
  • For every animal involved, data pertaining to body condition, the time taken for the capillaries in the mucous membranes to refill, and levels of tick infestation were documented.

Findings of The Study

  • Results indicated that horses tended to have significantly higher levels of tick infestation than cattle. The overall body condition score was poorer in horses in comparison to the cattle breeds sampled.
  • The study found an overwhelming presence of Babesia spp, with a seroprevalence of 95.8% for B. bovis in cattle, 89.6% for B. bigemina in cattle, and 92.7% for B. equi in horses.
  • A high percentage of Anaplasma marginale was detected in the cattle, with a detection rate of 87.5%, mimicking reports from other parts of Central America.
  • The study reports for the first time the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in these regions, with an overall PCR-prevalence of 27.6% in cattle and horses, and a seroprevalence of 28.4%.
  • An agent with serological cross-reactivity and genetic relatedness to Ehrlichia ruminantium was identified, but further testing confirmed that this agent was not the one causing heartwater in the cows of Guatemala.
  • The ticks on the animals were also identified, predominantly Boophilus microplus and Amblyomma cajennense in cattle, while Anocentor nitens and A. cajennense were most common in horses.

Analysis and Associations

  • The study also offered a deeper analysis into the associations and correlations between different variables such as infection prevalence, tick infestation levels, host factors, and environmental data.
  • The prevalence of A. phagocytophilum and A. nitens tick infestations were significantly associated at the village level.

Cite This Article

APA
Teglas M, Matern E, Lein S, Foley P, Mahan SM, Foley J. (2005). Ticks and tick-borne disease in Guatemalan cattle and horses. Vet Parasitol, 131(1-2), 119-127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.04.033

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 0304-4017
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 131
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 119-127

Researcher Affiliations

Teglas, Mike
  • Center for Vectorborne Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Matern, Erin
    Lein, Sarah
      Foley, Patrick
        Mahan, Suman M
          Foley, Janet

            MeSH Terms

            • Anaplasma / genetics
            • Anaplasma / growth & development
            • Anaplasmosis / blood
            • Anaplasmosis / parasitology
            • Animals
            • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
            • Babesia / genetics
            • Babesia / growth & development
            • Babesiosis / blood
            • Babesiosis / parasitology
            • Babesiosis / veterinary
            • Cattle
            • Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
            • Cattle Diseases / parasitology
            • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
            • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
            • Female
            • Guatemala / epidemiology
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horse Diseases / parasitology
            • Horses
            • Male
            • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
            • Rural Population
            • Seroepidemiologic Studies
            • Statistics, Nonparametric
            • Tick Infestations / epidemiology
            • Tick Infestations / veterinary
            • Tick-Borne Diseases / blood
            • Tick-Borne Diseases / epidemiology
            • Tick-Borne Diseases / veterinary
            • Ticks / growth & development

            Citations

            This article has been cited 28 times.
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