MEDEIROS, A. S.; MEDEIROS, Arllyson Salviano de.
Resumen:
The tick fever is a complex of diseases including diseases caused by protozoa of the genus
Babesia and Rickettsia of the genus Anaplasma . It is important to know these diseases in
its various aspects , as this information is important for the treatment and establishment of
control measures and prophylaxis . The objective of this work was to present a review of
literature about epidemiological, etiological , clinical, pathological , prophylactic and
therapeutic of these diseases. The transmission of the causative agents of tick fever is
possible from biological transmission by ticks R. (Boophilus ) microplus , hematophagous
insects , contaminated needles and surgical instruments. Epidemiological studies of the
tick fever classified the regions as free areas, due to the absence of the vector, areas of
enzootic instability,where there are frequent outbreaks due to variations in the population
of vectors and antibodies in animals and endemic areas, where due to the presence of ticks
throughout year typically do not occur clinical cases in native animals. In relation of the
pathogenesis the information from the literature show that B. bigemina parasites most
frequently red blood cells from the peripheral circulation, while B. bovis is found in
capillaries of the central organs . B. bigemina is able to trigger a mechanism that causes
damage on cells and tissues. The Babesia bovis causes massive hemolysis , and the rapid
course of the disease is due primarily to the hypotensive shock caused by the parasite
catabolites. In anaplasmosis once inside the cell Anaplasma divides by binary fission and
infect other red blood cells . The infected erythrocytes are phagocytosed by the reticulo
endothelial system. The course of anaplasmosis is faster than babesiosis , the animal may
lead to death within 24 hours. Acute infection with Babesia spp. and A. marginale have
clinical signs as fever, pale mucous membranes, tachypnea, tachycardia, anemia, jaundice
(more common in intense and anaplasmosis ), hemoglobinuria (in babesiosis), stopped or
reduced rumination, anorexia and prostration . In babesiosis by B. bovis , the most virulent
of the three agents , neurological symptoms as incoordination, followed by posterior
paralysis, mania, convulsions and coma are observed. The laboratory diagnosis, through
the identification of the agent and assessment of hematocrit, becomes extremely important
for disease confirmation and realization of specific treatment. Tick fever should be
differentiated from all disease of cattle in which the red color of the urine is a major
clinical manifestations including leptospirosis, copper poisoning, , enzootic hematuria,
hemoglobinuria puerperal and bacillary hemoglobinuria. Tick fever must also be
differentiated of rabies because of the infection with B. bovis that leads to neurological
symptoms. Other diseases such as trypanosomiasis and gastrointestinal parasites that occur
with signs of weakness, anemia and prostration should also be differentiated from tick
fever Poisoning by plants like Cassia occidentalis and Pteridium aquilinum and Brachiaria
radicans with tick fever
is done with drugs with effect babesicida ( derived from diamidina ) anaplasmicida (
tetracycline ) and double acting ( imidocarb and associations of diamidina with
oxytetracycline ). The control of these diseases must be done through management
measures appropriate to the epidemiology of the agents tick fever in the region. To control
the tick fever can still be used techniques like premonition , chemoprophylaxis or
vaccination. In the State of Paraiba recent research has shown that outbreaks occur at the
end of the rainy season and most outbreaks are caused by Anaplasma marginale.
Outbreaks are caused by the introduction of animals from endemic areas and occur in areas
where the presence of tick during the rainy season and these are combated inadequately. It
is conclude that is tick fever a serious disease of frequent occurrence in Brazil and in the
semiarid region and need to have their pathogenesis and clinical signs well known to be
readily diagnosed and combated effectively. Furthermore it was found that the knowledge
of the epidemiology of the diseases in this region is important for the proper establishment
of prophylactic measures.