Molecular detection ofBabesiaspp. and other haemoparasitic infections of cattle in Maputo Province, Mozambique

Abstract

SUMMARYMolecular detection ofBabesiaspecies in apparently healthy cattle within an endemic region was carried out in order to determine the prevalence of carriers and the geographical distribution ofBabesia bigeminaandBabesia bovisin Maputo Province, Mozambique. Samples from 477 animals at 5 localities were analysed using 2 techniques, the semi-nested hot-start PCR and the reverse line blot (RLB) assay. With the semi-nested hot-start PCR, detection ofB. bigeminaranged between 30% and 89%, and ofB. bovisbetween 27% and 83%. The RLB assay was comparatively less sensitive in this study and detection ofB. bovisranged from 0% to 17%, andB. bigeminawas not detected at all by this technique. Analysis of new sequences of the 18S rRNA gene revealed that the currentB. bigeminaRLB probe is not specific for the identification of isolates in Mozambique. The RLB assay, however, resulted in the detection of 8 other haemoparasite species belonging to the generaBabesia,Theileria,AnaplasmaandEhrlichia. 18S rRNA gene sequences from theTheileriaspp. were identified, and a phylogenic tree constructed with these sequences yielded a heterogeneousT. mutans-like group. In conclusion, infection withB. bigeminaandB. bovisis endemic in Maputo Province, but rates of transmission vary. Furthermore, mixed infections with the haemoparasites responsible for several tick-borne diseases in cattle are common in Mozambique.