Productive and health implications of bovine Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis in Ecuador

Abstract

Bovine anaplasmosis and babesiosis are two of the main hemotropic diseases affecting the productivity and health of livestock systems in tropical and subtropical regions. The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the productive and health implications of bovine anaplasmosis and babesiosis in Ecuador. The research was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, using a literature search in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SciELO, Google Scholar, Redalyc, and Ecuadorian university repositories. Studies published between 2020 and 2026 related to the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, productive impact, diagnostic methods, and control strategies of these diseases were included. Anaplasmosis was found to have a higher prevalence than babesiosis in most of the regions studied, with reports reaching up to 67.1% for Anaplasma marginale in the Galápagos Islands and 57% in Cañar. The main clinical manifestations included anemia, fever, weakness, weight loss, jaundice, and decreased physiological performance in the animals. Significant production losses were observed, such as reduced milk and meat production, reproductive impairment, increased healthcare costs, and animal mortality. The main risk factors identified were the presence of Rhipicephalus microplus, climatic conditions favorable to the vectors, animal movement, and deficiencies in animal health management. It is concluded that both hemoparasitic diseases represent a significant health and economic problem for Ecuadorian cattle farming, requiring strengthened epidemiological surveillance strategies, early diagnosis, and integrated vector control.

Keywords: Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis, bovine hemoparasites, ticks, animal health.