Bovine Babesiosis in Turkey: Impact, Current Gaps, and Opportunities for Intervention

Pathogens

Abdullah Inci¹  Munir Aktas²  ReginaldoG. Bastos³  CarlosE. Suarez³  HebaF. Alzan³  Sezayi Ozubek³ 

[1] Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, 38039 Kayseri, Turkey;Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, 23119 Elazig, Turkey;Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA;

关键词: bovine babesiosis;    Babesia;    bovine;    cattle;    cattle industry in Turkey;   

DOI  :  10.3390/pathogens9121041

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Bovine babesiosis is a global tick-borne disease that causes important cattle losses and has potential zoonotic implications. The impact of bovine babesiosis in Turkey remains poorly characterized, but several Babesia spp., including B. bovis, B. bigemina, and B. divergens, among others and competent tick vectors, except Rhipicephalus microplus, have been recently identified in the country. Bovine babesiosis has been reported in all provinces but is more prevalent in central and highly humid areas in low and medium altitude regions of the country housing approximately 70% of the cattle population. Current control measures include acaricides and babesicidal drugs, but not live vaccines. Despite the perceived relevant impact of bovine babesiosis in Turkey, basic research programs focused on developing in vitro cultures of parasites, point-of-care diagnostic methods, vaccine development, “omics” analysis, and gene manipulation techniques of local Babesia strains are scarce. Additionally, no effective and coordinated control efforts managed by a central animal health authority have been established to date. Development of state-of-the-art research programs in bovine babesiosis to address current gaps in knowledge and implementation of long-term plans to control the disease will surely result in important economic, nutritional, and public health benefits for the country and the region.

【 授权许可】

Unknown