Microbiological confirmation and hematological evaluation of Anaplasma marginale and Babesia spp. in high-altitude cattle ranching in the Venezuelan Andes

Abstract

While clinically evaluating the anemic symptoms observed in twelve cattle in a highaltitude cattle ranching system in the Venezuelan Andes, with a suspected infection of the hemotropics <em>A. marginale</em> and <em>Babesia spp.</em>, the article presents the findings obtained through direct microbiological assay. A mixed association of <em>A. marginale</em> and <em>Babesia spp.</em> was obtained in 8.8%, and the individual presentation of <em>A. marginale</em> was found in 3.3%. The estimation of parasitemia revealed the need for treatment in five animals. In addition, the hematological status of the studied animals was evaluated, which evidenced that 50% of the animals had hematocrit values under the minimum reference and 41.7% presented with varying degrees of anisocytosis, with a predominance of microcytes. The study confirmed the probabilistic suspicion, and evidenced the importance of parasitemia estimation, hematological assessment, and post-treatment followup for animal well-being.