Abstract
The aim of the current cross-sectional study is to identify risk factors associated with infections caused by BoHV-1, BVDV, BLV and Brucella abortus in beef cattle herds bred under semi-intensive production system in Sao Luis Island - MA. Sixteen (16) cattle herds were selected and 160 serum blood samples from female animals in these herds (older than 24 months) were analyzed. An epidemiological questionnaire was answered by owners of each assessed property in order to identify risk factors associated with the studied infections; evaluations were made by means of multivariate statistical analysis. The prevalence of cattle positive to BoHV-1, BVDV, BLV and B. abortus was 68.12%, 66.87%, 62.50% and 3.12%, respectively. Variable ‘cattle purchase’ was a risk factor for infections caused by BoHV-1, BVDV and B. abortus. Pasture sharing and pig breeding in the same property were factors associated with the occurrence of BoHV-1 and B. abortus in the assessed herds. Variables ‘miscarriage’ and ‘diarrhea’ were indicative of B. abortus. Based on the current results, further attention should be given to the herein investigated region, where epidemiological investigations and control interventions should be implemented in order to avoid infections caused by BoHV-1, BVDV, BLV and B. abortus.
Highlights
Bovine Herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1), Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV), Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV) and Brucella abortus are microorganisms that must be investigated because they affect the productive and reproductive efficiency of cattle herds in Brazil and worldwide
Prevalence rates 68.12% (n = 109/160), 66.87% (n = 107/160), 62.50% (n = 100/160) and 3.12% % (n = 05/160) were observed in infections caused by BoHV-1, BVDV, BLV and Brucella abortus, respectively
BoHV-1, BVDV and BLV antibodies were detected in 100% of the selected herds; B. abortus antibodies were diagnosed in 31.25% of the herds
Summary
Bovine Herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1), Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV), Bovine Leukosis Virus (BLV) and Brucella abortus are microorganisms that must be investigated because they affect the productive and reproductive efficiency of cattle herds in Brazil and worldwide. Brucella abortus has strong impact on public health; it requires high investments in control and eradication campaigns. Infections caused by this microorganism hamper the trade of animals and of animal-origin products, such as semen, embryos, meat, milk, among others. BoHV-1 is a virus belonging to order Herpesvirales, family Herpesviridae, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, genus Varicellovirus, which is the causative agent of miscarriage in females of infected herds. Infection caused by this microorganism is associated with clinical respiratory and genital manifestations such as infectious pustular vulvovaginitis - IPV and infectious pustular balanoposthitis - IPB, as well as with ocular, gastrointestinal and neurological manifestations (ALVES DUMMER; PEREIRA LEIVAS LEITE; VAN DRUNEN LITTEL-VAN DEN HURK, 2014)
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