Molecular surveillance of Trypanosoma spp. reveals different clinical and epidemiological characteristics associated with the infection in three creole cattle breeds from Colombia

Molecular frequency of bovine leukemia virus in Creole cattle of Eastern Colombia

“…Given that approximately 50–60 % of proteins in cattle are albumins and 40 % are globulins (including 2–20 % immunoglobulins) ( Alberghina et al, 2011 ), the rise in serum proteins in BLV-positive animals could be linked to an increase in immunoglobulin levels (specifically IgM and IgG antibodies) during the acute or chronic phases of infections, and explanation to asymptomatic cases observed here. Nevertheless, considering that the research areas are epidemic regions for other hemotropic agents ( Jaimes-Dueñez et al, 2021 ), which could also produce an increase in total serum proteins, it is imperative to conduct future clinical studies to confirm this hypothesis.…”

“…The blood samples used in this study were collected as part of a prior research conducted by our research group, aiming to investigate the epidemiological characteristics associated with hemotropic agents ( Jaimes-Dueñez et al, 2021 ). Between June 2019 and March 2020, a total of 253 EDTA blood samples were randomly collected from a population of 422 Colombian Creole cattle across eleven farms in the departments of Santander (A-G), Casanare (H-I), Arauca (J), and Meta (K), Colombia ( Table 1 ; Fig.…”

“…Due to the absence of a worldwide vaccine, mainly due to the complexity of the BLV, along with the difficulty in implementing strategies for reducing prevalence, such as the diagnosis and elimination of BLV-positive animals, and control of hematophagous insects, the utilization of breeds resistant to the clinical course of BLV could be alternative approaches for disease control ( Hernández-Herrera et al, 2014 ). Colombian Creole cattle and their crosses offer a viable alternative for meat and milk production in this country, due to their adaptability and resistance to ectoparasites and tolerance to infections by hemotropic agents such as Anaplasma, Babesia , and Trypanosoma ( Jaimes-Dueñez et al, 2021 ,; 2024 ; Rocha et al, 2019 ; Rosero et al, 2012 ). Nonetheless, limited information exists regarding the infection rate, clinical manifestations, and circulating BLV genotypes in these breeds ( Hernández-Herrera et al, 2011 ).…”