Bovine Babesiosis in Turkey: Impact, current gaps and opportunities for intervention

Authors: OZUBEK, SEZAYI - University Of Firat; BASTOS, REGINALDO - Washington State University; ALZAN, HEBA - Washington State University; INCI, ABDULLAH - Erciyes University; AKTAS, MUNIR - University Of Firat; Suarez, Carlos

Submitted to: Pathogens
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/9/2020
Publication Date: 12/11/2020
Citation: Ozubek, S., Bastos, R.G., Alzan, H.F., Inci, A., Aktas, M., Suarez, C.E. 2020. Bovine Babesiosis in Turkey: Impact, current gaps and opportunities for intervention. Pathogens. 9(12). Article 1041. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9121041.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9121041

Interpretive Summary: Bovine babesiosis is a global tick-borne disease that causes important cattle losses and has potential zoonotic implications. The impact of bovine babesiosis in Turkey remains poorly characterized, but several Babesia spp., including B. bovis, B. bigemina, and B. divergens, among others and tick competent vectors, except Rhipicephalus microplus, have been recently identified in the country. Bovine babesiosis has been reported in all provinces but is more prevalent in central and highly humid areas in low and medium altitude regions of the country housing approximately 70% of the cattle population. Current control measures include acaricides and babesicidal drugs, but not live vaccines. Despite the perceived important impact of bovine babesiosis in Turkey, basic research programs focused on developing in vitro cultures of parasites, point of care diagnostic methods, vaccine development, “omics” analysis, and gene manipulation techniques of local Babesia strains are scarce. Additionally, no effective and coordinated control efforts managed by a central animal health authority have been established to date. Development of state-of-the-art research programs aimed at addressing filling current gaps in knowledge and implementation of long-term plans to improve control bovine babesiosis will surely result in important economic, nutritional, and public health benefits for the country and the region.

Technical Abstract: Bovine babesiosis is a global tick-borne disease that causes important cattle losses and has potential zoonotic implications. The impact of bovine babesiosis in Turkey remains poorly characterized, but several Babesia spp., including B. bovis, B. bigemina, and B. divergens, among others and tick competent vectors, except Rhipicephalus microplus, have been recently identified in the country. Bovine babesiosis has been reported in all provinces but is more prevalent in central and highly humid areas in low and medium altitude regions of the country housing approximately 70% of the cattle population. Current control measures include acaricides and babesicidal drugs, but not live vaccines. Despite the perceived important impact of bovine babesiosis in Turkey, basic research programs focused on developing in vitro cultures of parasites, point of care diagnostic methods, vaccine development, “omics” analysis, and gene manipulation techniques of local Babesia strains are scarce. Additionally, no effective and coordinated control efforts managed by a central animal health authority have been established to date. Development of state-of-the-art research programs aimed at addressing filling current gaps in knowledge and implementation of long-term plans to improve control bovine babesiosis will surely result in important economic, nutritional, and public health benefits for the country and the region.