Trypanosoma evansi in water buffalo livestock

Authors: SANDOVAL-REYES, RAUL MIGUEL - University Of Veracruzana; ROMERO-SALAS, DORA - University Of Veracruzana; CARDENAS-AMAYA, CAROLINA - University Of Veracruzana; OJEDA-ROBERTOS, NADIA FLORENCIA - Juarez Autonomous University Of Tabasco; Perez De Leon, Adalberto - Beto

Submitted to: Bioagrociencias
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/9/2023
Publication Date: 1/16/2023
Citation: Sandoval-Reyes, R., Romero-Salas, D., Cardenas-Amaya, C., Ojeda-Robertos, N., Perez De Leon, A.A. 2023. Trypanosoma evansi in water buffalo livestock. Bioagrociencias. 16(1). https://doi.org/10.56369/BAC.4638.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56369/BAC.4638

Interpretive Summary: Some single-celled organisms live as parasites in the blood of livestock. Infection with these parasites, also called hemoprotozoans, can result in disease and death that affect the productivity of livestock herds. One of these economically important hemoprotozoan parasites is scientifically known as Trypanosoma evansi, which is distributed in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Some biting flies can carry T. evansi in their mouthparts after blood feeding on infected animals and transmit the parasite when biting again to feed on a susceptible host. Surra is the common name of the disease resulting from infection with T. evansi; this is a notifiable multispecies disease according to the World Organization for Animal Health. Water buffalo is one of the livestock species susceptible to infection with T. evansi. Water buffaloes infected with T. evansi can die of surra. Infection without symptoms affects the productivity of water buffalo herds. Surra remains an exotic animal disease in Mexico. However, T. evansi occurs in Panama. The introduction of T. evansi to new areas can occur through the international trade of infected livestock that is asymptomatic. Up to date information on T. evansi infection in water buffaloes is presented here to raise awareness of this economically important livestock disease. State and federal veterinary authorities must be informed immediately when encountering or suspecting T. evansi infection in animals, including water buffaloes, because of the exotic status of surra in Mexico, its rapid spread in non-endemic areas, economic impact on animal health, and public health risk. Continued research on animal health supports efforts to exclude T. evansi from livestock herds in Mexico including water buffaloes.

Technical Abstract: One of the trypanosomes causing disease in livestock is Trypanosoma evansi. Surra is the common name of the disease resulting from infection with T. evansi, which is a flagellated hemoprotozoan parasite. Surra is a notifiable multispecies disease according to the World Organization for Animal Health. Water buffalo is one of the livestock species susceptible to infection with T. evansi. Water buffaloes infected with T. evansi can show clinical signs. Subclinical infection can afffect the productivity of water buffalo herds. Biting fly species in the family Tabanidae and the genus Stomoxys are mechanical vectors of T. evansi. Surra remains an exotic animal disease in Mexico. However, T. evansi occurs in Panama. The introduction of T. evansi to new areas can occur through the international trade of infected livestock that is asymptomatic. Up to date information on T. evansi infection in water buffaloes is presented here to raise awareness of this economically important livestock disease. State and federal veterinary authorities must be informed immediately when encountering or suspecting T. evansi infection in animals, including water buffaloes, because of the exotic status of surra in Mexico, its rapid spread in non-endemic areas, economic impact on animal health, and public health risk. Continued research on animal health aids epidemiological surveillance to exclude T. evansi from livestock herds in Mexico including water buffaloes.