Rodríguez-Vivas RI, Quiñones-Avila F, Ramírez-Cruz GT, Ruiz-Piña H

Language: Spanish
References: 15
Page: 29-33
PDF size: 43.92 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Introduction. Trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Trypanosoma. It is transmitted to cattle by haematophage diptera, mosquitoes, Simulidae and ticks. In Mexico the presence of T. theileri has been reported in cattle. However, in this study it is reported for the first time in Boophilus microplus ticks.
Material and methods. 21 Boophilus microplus engorged female ticks were taken from cattle on a farm in the mexican tropic to diagnose flagellate in their haemolimph and eggs. Blood samples from the entire herd were collected and the samples were analyzed by the following laboratory methods: Giemsa stained thick and thin blood smears, microhematocrit for the diagnosis of haemoflagellates.
Results. The epimastigote stage of the genus Trypanosoma in diferent stages of development was observed in the haemolimph of one engorged Boophilus microplus tick (one of 21) and their dimensions were 32.8 ± 9.6 µ. long and 2.9 ± 9.1µ. wide. All Boophilus microplus eggs from the positive tick were negative to the presence of flagellate of the genus Trypanosoma. During the study no bovine showed symptoms of haemoparasitosis. All samples taken from the bovine herd, resulted negative to the presence of this protozoa and the average microhaematocrit values were 32.1 ± 3.7%.
Discussion. The presence of Trypanosomes in B. microplus haemolymph mokes us think about a probable transmission of this protozoa by ticks to cattle; however, the lack of its transovarian transmission makes its role as a vector doubtful. The presence of developmental stages of Trypanosoma in Boophilus microplus suggests the possibility of using haemolimph ticks as culture medium for this parasite. It is necessary to continue studying this hemoprotozoa in order to determine the species and its distribution in the country to evaluate the damage it causes to cattle production.

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