Aspectos epidemiológicos da Babesiose equina na região Norte do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of Babesia equi and B. caballi in horses from the northern region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, examining the maintenance practices and identifying the principal factors involved in transmission and infection rates. There were collected 380 blood samples and tested with ELISA and Indirect immunofluorescence (RIFI) for B. equi and for B. caballi was used competitive ELISA. The sample number was statistically representative for the equine population of the state. Testing positive for B. equi by ELISA and RIFI were 31,6% and 35,8%, respectively, of the samples examined. The prevalence of B. caballi was 0,86%. The concordance between tests was considered high as shown by the Kappa index of 0,86%. There was not observed a statistically significant difference (p<0,05) between the sex, age and breed of the horses. According to the present study the northern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul can be characterized as an area of enzootic instability for B. equi and B. caballi, offering risks of economic losses due to babesiosis outbreaks, especially in sensible animals introduced from indene areas, horse trade and participating in events (as rodeos, auction sales, and others) or even in animals born in the region. Analyzing the questionnaires, the maintaining systems and the purposes of the equine use were the factors that had influence on the prevalence of equine babesiosis.