EPIDEMIOLOGY OF BOVINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS IN BEEF CATTLE IN SOUTHEAST REGION OF THE PROVINCE OF BS. AS.

MEINERI F; MARTÍNEZ L; MAZZANTI M; CRESPO N; M. RIVERO; JULIARENA M; GARCÍA O; PASSUCCI J

Paraná

Otro; LIV Reunión Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Bioquímica y Biología Molecular.; 2018

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Bioquímica y Biología Molecular.

The bovine leukemia virus affects cattle and causes enzootic bovine leukosis, with high economic losses indairy cattle production systems. The current epidemiological situation of BLV in beef cattle herds isunknown. This justifies the study of prevalence of infection in beef cattle herds and the detection of potentialrisk factors in order to implement prevention and control measures according to BLV prevalence levels. Theaim of this work was to evaluate the rate of positivity to BLV in beef cattle herds in the south-eastern regionof the province of Buenos Aires. An analytical study was carried out using a non-probabilistic sampling forconvenience in 16 establishments of the region. 15 animals per establishment were sampled, with a total of240 sera collected. In addition, a survey was conducted to collect epidemiological information, withemphasis on potential risk factors. The cattle were diagnosed by BLVgp51 antibody detection by means ofindirect ELISA method. The seropositivity rate was 0.41% (95% CI: 0.011-2.300). The positive animal wasa bull Aberdeen Angus, in reproductive state. Given the found preliminary results, special considerationsshould be taken at the male reproducers purchase, since they may introduce the infectious agent in thisarea. A preventive measure could be their negative BLV diagnosis at the purchase moment and aquarantine period prior to get the herd.