Trypanosoma vivax Epizootic Infection in Cattle from Espírito Santo State, Brazil

Bovine trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma vivax. This disease causes high morbidity and mortality in the herd and is thus responsible for low economic savings in cattle farming. The objective of this study was to report the occurrence of trypanosomiasis due to T. vivax in Espírito Santo, Brazil. The animals had reduced milk production, intermittent fever, anorexia, apathy, births of weak cattle, and adult mortality after progressive weight loss. Complete blood count and hematozoa were investigated. In the hematological analysis, the trypomastigote form of T. vivax was observed. This was the first report of the occurrence of T. vivax in the State of Espírito Santo. The results of this paper show the importance of carrying out studies to diagnose the epidemiological situation of the disease within the productive context of regions that manage dairy farming with severe symptoms of the disease. Therefore, the occurrence of trypanosomiasis can have a negative impact on the health and economics of local cattle farming.