Quantitative study of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina infection in beef cattle of different genetic groups

• Grant number: 12/00067-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2012
• End date: March 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Genetics and Improvement of Domestic Animals
• Principal Investigator: Henrique Nunes de Oliveira
• Grantee: Henrique Nunes de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Marcia Cristina de Sena Oliveira ; Rosangela Zacarias Machado

Abstract

In this study, it will be evaluated the level of infection with Babesia bovis and B. bigemina in beef cattle naturally infested by the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. 200 cattle will be used for a race taurine and 200 crossbred Zebu-taurine. Will have all ticks present on the right side of the body counted. It will be performed three counts of ticks at intervals of 15-20 days, to evaluate the mean of animal infestation. At the same time, in the last count ticks, blood samples for DNA extraction and serology will be collected. DNA will be extracted from blood samples collected with EDTA anticoagulant and will be used to obtain the intensity of B. bovis and B. bigemina infection, using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Blood samples collected free of anticoagulant will be used for serological tests, to measure the antibody titration against Babesia, using the ELISA test. Association between the level of tick infestation, level of infection by Babesia and antibody titer will be evaluated in animals of different genetic groups and age. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GIGLIOTI, R.; OLIVEIRA, H. N.; SANTANA, C. H.; IBELLI, A. M. G.; NEO, T. A.; BILHASSI, T. B.; RABELO, M. D.; MACHADO, R. Z.; BRITO, L. G.; OLIVEIRA, M. C. S.. Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina infection levels estimated by qPCR in Angus cattle from an endemic area of Sao Paulo state, Brazil. TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES, v. 7, n. 5, p. 657-662, 2016. (12/00067-5, 11/23833-2)

GIGLIOTI, RODRIGO; OLIVEIRA, HENRIQUE NUNES; GUARATINI LBELLI, ADRIANA MERCIA; BILHASSI, TALITA BARBAN; NEO, THALITA ATHIE; SANTANA, CLARISSA HELENA; RABELO, MARCIO DIAS; MACHADO, ROSANGELA ZACARIAS; DE SOUZA CHAGAS, ANA CAROLINA; DE SENA OLIVEIRA, MARCIA CRISTINA. Neither quantification by qPCR nor quantitative Elisa can be used to discriminate Angus cattle for resistance/susceptibility to Babesia bovis. TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES, v. 8, n. 3, p. 335-340, 2017. (12/00067-5, 11/23833-2)