Study of the possible vectors involved in the transmission of Anaplasma spp in a farm of cattle of the island of Gran Canaria

Abstract

Anaplasmosis is an infectious disease of cattle that causes moderate to severe haemolytic anaemia and is responsible for major economic losses in both the dairy and beef sectors. Bovine anaplasmosis is considered to be the most widespread vector-borne pathogen in cattle worldwide. Transmission of Anaplasma marginale to cattle is mainly biological by ticks and mechanical by flies, horse flies and blood contaminated fomites. It is considered an endemic disease of tropical and subtropical regions, but has spread to other regions due to global warming. Last year, an outbreak histologically compatible with Anaplasma marginale was detected in a cattle farm in the southeast of Gran Canaria. This study focuses on the investigation of possible vectors transmitting the disease on this farm, using Vavoua and Nzi traps in the explotation and the subsequent identification of the specimens collected.