First detection of Trypanosoma vivax in small ruminants in the state of Bahia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence of Trypanosoma vivax using hematological and molecular techniques and to evaluate possible associated risk factors in goats and sheep. A total of 192 animals from 14 farms in the municipalities of São Domingos and Valente da Bahia were used. Blood was collected from each animal to prepare stained blood smears and verify the presence of Trypanosoma spp. trypomastigotes testing and molecular (polymerase chain reaction [PCR], and sequencing). All blood smears were negative for trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma sp. In the molecular analysis, nested-PCR detected 57.8% (111/192) of the samples as positive for Trypanosoma spp. and 10.9% (21/192) as positive for T. vivax using a specific primer. Sequencing indicated 97% – 99% similarity with catL of T. vivax. The use of shared needles was significant in the analysis of risk factors (p=0.049). Thus, T. vivax is present in small ruminants in Bahia, making it necessary for producers to be careful, especially when sharing needles, to avoid transmission between animals.