Serological and molecular diagnosis of Trypanosoma vivax on buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) and their ectoparasites in the lowlands of Maranhão, Brazil

The aim of this study was to detect trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma vivax, in blood smears, DNA of T. vivax and anti-T. vivax antibodies in samples from buffalos reared in the lowlands of Maranhão, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 116 buffalos and 25 ectoparasite specimens. Blood smears were produced to diagnose forms compatible with Trypanosoma spp.; the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) and lateral-flow immunochromatography (Imunotest®) serological tests were used; and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to make molecular diagnoses. No forms compatible with Trypanosoma spp. were observed in blood smears. Among the 116 serum samples analyzed, 79.31% and 76.72% were positive in the ELISA and rapid tests, respectively. One sample was positive in the molecular test. Twenty-five lice of the species Haematopinus tuberculatus were collected. When subjected to PCR for detection of DNA of T. vivax, all of them were negative. The louse specimens were negative for T. vivax. There were no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the presence of T. vivax in this region, in relation to the animals' age and sex. It can be concluded that these protozoa are circulating in the buffalo herd of the lowlands of Maranhão displaying crypitc parasitemias.