Neosporosis in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and beef cattle in the Northeast of Argentina: a cross sectional study

KONRAD, J.L.; CRUDELI, G.; BENITEZ, D.; DRAGHI, G.; CANO, D.; LEUNDA, M.R.; MOORE, D.P.; ODE¨®N, A.C.; SPATH, E.J.A.; CAMPERO, C.M.

Santiago

Congreso; XXVI Congreso Mundial de Buiatría 2010; 2010

A high seroprevalence of Neospora caninum antibodies has been reported in water buffaloes (B. bubalis) in the northeast of Argentina (NEA). The aim of this study was to estimate the occurrence of N. caninum antibodies in buffaloes and beef cattle raised in the same farms but in separate paddocks. The size of the buffalo herds studied ranged between 46-451 head and the beef herds between 62-507 head. More than 80% of the animals were bled in each farm. History of reproductive failure was no reported in neither buffaloes nor beef cattle at any farms. Blood samples were collected from 2,330 water buffaloes (Mediterranean, Murrah and Jafarabedi breeds) from 1 to 20 years of age and 1,447 bovines (Brahman, Braford and Brangus breeds) from 1 to 9 years old belonging to 9 farms. N. caninum antibody levels were measured by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and were considered positive when titre was 1:100. The association between serological results and species, breed, gender and age was evaluated by X2. Distribution of breeds for buffaloes was as follow: Mediterranean: 54.7%, Murrah: 21.9%, Jafarabed 0.9 % and ND 22.5%. For cattle: Brahman: 1.5%; Braford 21.7%, Brangus: 22.7% and ND 13.5%. There were 2186 female buffaloes and 1470 female cattle; and 144 male buffaloes and 3 male cattle. The age groups in cattle were: 2-4 years (149), 5-6 years (299), >7 years (498) and ND (527 animals). Specific antibodies were found in buffaloes and cattle of all 9 farms. Buffaloes seroprevalence was higher (40.8%, range: 8.7 to 61.7%) than in bovines (23.9%, range 9.4 to 45.4%) (p< 0.05). No association was found between the seroprevalences of cattle and buffaloes belonging to the same farms. Breed differences were not found among buffaloes whereas Braford had a lower seroprevalence in comparison with Brangus. No differences were found between genders in buffaloes (males 38.2% versus females: 40.9%). For statistical purposes there were not enough samples from male cattle. In buffaloes there was a significant increase of the seroprevalence with age. No age effect was found on bovine. When the seroprevalence of both species was compared up to 9 years of age, a higher seroprevalence was still found on buffaloes (39.6%) versus beef cattle (23.9%) (p< 0.05). The age was the most important factor contributing to the serological status to N. caninum in the populations of buffaloes assessed in this study.