Bovine trypanosomosis in a cattle ranch, Apure, Venezuela

Trypanosomosis is a parasitic disease frequently present in tropical regions. In south America the aethiological agent is a protozoan parasite called Trypanosoma vivax, which affect ruminants and is located in blood, outside red cells. T. vivax is transmitted by Tabanus spp (a robust fly-alike insect) and other haematophagous insects. Parasite infection cause severe anaemia and depression of inmunological system on the host. At chronic stage animal becomes caquexic, shows severe hipoxia and die. On images below you can see an infected herd from a cattle ranch in Cinaruco-Capanaparo region (Apure state, Venezuela) and the parasite as found in blood stained smears.
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