Risk factors associated with BoHV-1 and BVDV seropositivity in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from the State of Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with Bovine Herpesvirus Type 1 (BoHV-1) and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) infections in buffaloes in the State of Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil, using 136 female buffaloes ? 24 months old from 14 herds. For the serological diagnosis of the BoHV-1 and BVDV infections, the virus-neutralization test (VN) was used and in each herd, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied in order to obtain data to be used in the risk factor analysis. Of the 136 animals 86 (63.2%) were positive for BoHV-1 and 12 (8.8%) for BVDV. The presence of watering points (odds ratio = 17.68; 95% CI = 3.74 – 83.04) was identified as risk factor for BoHv-1, and animal purchasing was a risk factor for both BoHV-1 (odds ratio = 68.64; 95% CI = 12.28 – 383.73) and BVDV (odds ratio = 3.64; 95% CI = 1.04 – 12.76). The results from the present study showed an evidence of the presence of BoHV-1 and BVDV infections in buffaloes from the State of Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil. It is suggested that control and prevention measures should be adopted, such as the use of diagnostic tests prior to animal purchasing and the use of vaccines to avoid the introduction of infected animals into the herds and the consequent dissemination of the infections, minimizing economic losses.