Detecção molecular de Babesia Bigemina em bovinos de diferentes grupos genéticos.

Abstract

The infection rate for "Babesia bigemina" was estimated in cattle of different genetic groups reared in a endemic area of São Paulo State. Blood samples obtained from 213 animals were used for perform thick blood films, determination of packed cell volume (PCV) and for DNA extraction. Thick blood films were fixed, stained by Giemsa and examined in an optical microscope. All of the DNA samples were submitted to amplification by Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Nested-PCR methods using specific primers for and "B. bigemina". Babesia merozoites were only detected in young animals. Clinical signs of babesiosis were not observed as well any association between the presence of hemoparasites and PCV values. Analysis of PCR and N-PCR blood products reveled infections rates of 96,1% for Nelore group, 98,2% for Canchim/Nelore, 87% for Angus/Nelore and 90% for Simental/Nelore. The infection rates did not differed significantly among genetic groups or age of the animals.