Breed strongly predicts hemotropic coinfections in cattle: evidence from a Colombian multispecies molecular survey

Abstract

Hemotropic pathogen species of Anaplasma, Babesia, Mycoplasma, and Trypanosoma are endemic to cattle populations and may cause coinfections, complicating disease dynamics and control efforts. However, the host-related factors associated with these infections remain poorly understood under tropical field conditions. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of hemotropic monoinfections and coinfections in cattle and to identify host-related factors associated with coinfection under field conditions in Colombia. A total of 104 animals were included in the study: 91 cattle, 10 buffaloes, and 3 goats. Among the cattle, 34 (37.4%) exhibited hemotropic monoinfections, 47 (51.6%) were coinfected, and 10 tested negative. Among the buffaloes, 7 (70.0%) presented monoinfections, and 2 (20.0%) were coinfected; among the goats, 2 had monoinfections, and 1 was coinfected-- most frequently involving Mycoplasma spp. The predominant coinfection patterns were Anaplasma + Mycoplasma and Mycoplasma + Trypanosoma, particularly in Bos indicus cattle. Bivariate and multivariate analyses identified breed as the strongest predictor of coinfection, with animals of less common breeds showing a 98% lower risk (aOR = 0.02; p = 0.007). Additionally, younger cattle (7-12 months) and Bos taurus breed individuals presented reduced odds of coinfection. Our findings reveal a high frequency of hemotropic coinfections in cattle, particularly those involving Mycoplasma spp., and demonstrate that host-related factors such as breed and age significantly influence infection risk. Bos indicus cattle presented the highest coinfection rates, whereas less common breeds, such as Bos taurus, and younger animals presented lower odds. These results highlight the need for surveillance and prevention strategies tailored to the demographic and genetic profiles of livestock populations.