Abstract
Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are diseases with worldwide distribution that are associated with reproductive problems in livestock and responsible for economic losses. This review presents an overview of the current knowledge relative to these diseases in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). In general, buffalo are considered resistant to clinical toxoplasmosis because there are studies only reporting serological evidence of natural infection in these animals. Studies have described age, poor hygienic status of the farm, and presence of cats as risk factors for the development of Toxoplasma gondii infection in buffalo. It must be highlighted that buffalo meat, which does not receive adequate freezing treatment, could be a potential source for toxoplasmic human infection as well as the importance of raw buffalo milk in the transmission of toxoplasmosis to human beings. Neospora caninum is considered one of the major causes of abortion and responsible for huge economic losses in cattle. Vertical transmission is the main route to infect calves, and is responsible for maintaining the parasite within a herd. In buffalo, vertical transmission is also described; moreover, although there are indications that N. caninum may be associated with abortion in dairy buffalo, the reproductive importance of neosporosis is apparently lower in buffalo relative to cattle. Most studies have identified a higher time of exposition to N. caninum oocysts relative to age. The household system was also described as a risk factor for infection, possibly due to persistent contact between the home-raised buffalo and canids. The fetal immune competence of buffalo is similar to bovine, and buffalo fetus are highly susceptible to infection during the first trimester of pregnancy, indicating that N. caninum may be an abortigenic agent in buffaloes. Alternatively, it is interesting to note there is evidence that the inflammatory response in pregnant buffalo infected with N. caninum is mild enough to avoid abortion in most cases. It is proposed that the possible transmission of toxoplasmosis through unprocessed milk and buffalo meat may occur, which is important in terms of public health. Additionally, there is strong evidence to suggest that N. caninum may be associated with abortion in buffalo.
Highlights
The domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is originated from the domestication of the Indian wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee), which occurred ∼5,000 years ago [1]
This review presents an overview of the current knowledge relative to these diseases in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
There is strong evidence to suggest that N. caninum may be associated with abortion in buffalo
Summary
The domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is originated from the domestication of the Indian wild buffalo (Bubalus arnee), which occurred ∼5,000 years ago [1]. The buffalo population has been increasing in the last 10 years, probably because these animals are more resistant to infectious diseases and have better converting rates of poor-quality forage into milk and meat than cattle [1,2,3]. Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are diseases caused by protozoan Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, respectively. These parasites have worldwide distribution and are associated with reproductive problems in livestock and responsible for economic losses [4,5,6]. Buffalo appear to have fewer clinical problems with T. gondii, and only serological reports have published; it is a zoonotic disease, and attention should be taken relative to the drinking of buffalo milk. This review presents an overview of the current knowledge of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in buffalo
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