Bovine anaplasmosis: epidemiological and clinical aspects, and control

Abstract

Anaplasma marginale (Theiler 1910) is an obligatory intraerythrocytic rickettsia of susceptible ruminants, transmitted biologically by ticks and mechanically by flies and fomites. Following transmission, A. marginale multiplies within mature erythrocytes and the resulting diseases is characterized by anemia, weight loss, abortion, and death. Anaplasmosis is an economically important disease affecting dairy and beef cattle being present in north, central and south America, Australian and African southeast. Several serologic tests, including complement fixation, card agglutination, immunofluorescent-antibody (IFA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have been utilized for epidemiological studies and international movements of animals. The prevalence of Anaplasmosis around the world varies from 2% to 100%, depending on the region, assay utilized and animal age. In Brazil, several epidemiological inquires realized in different states, showed rates varying from 16,3% to 100% seropositive animals. The propose of this work was to collect information on the epidemiology, clinical and control of bovine Anaplasmosis.