Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle and dogs from the Agreste region of the State of Paraíba

Lídio Ricardo Bezerra De Melo ,Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela ,Ana Célia Rodrigues Athayde ,Sérgio Santos De Azevêdo ,Thaís Ferreira Feitosa ,Hilda Fátima De Jesus Pena

doi:10.21708/avb.2017.11.1.6677

Abstract

Among the protozoa of veterinary importance, Neospora caninum is responsible for large economic and productive losses in cattle herds, with dogs being considered the definitive hosts of the parasite. The objective of this research was to study the prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies and the infection risk factors in dairy cattle and dogs in the Gado Bravo municipality of the Agreste region in Paraiba State, Brazil. Blood sera from 220 cows and 20 dogs were used, altogether obtained from a total of 21 farms. For detection of the anti-N. caninum IgG antibodies, the indirect immunofluorescence reaction was performed. Sera that reacted at dilutions of ≥1:200 and 1:50 for the cows and dogs, respectively, were considered positive. The analysis of risk factors was performed with the variables most associated with N. caninum infection, obtained by epidemiological questionnaire. The prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies was 12.27% among the cows and 57.14% on rural properties where at least one cow was positive. Among the dogs studied, a prevalence of 25% was observed. The non-vaccination of dogs against viruses, leptospirosis, or giardiasis was considered a risk factor associated with seroprevalence for N. caninum infection (odds ratio = 9.33). Therefore, it can be concluded that dairy cattle and dogs from rural properties in the Agreste region are very likely exposed to the infection caused by N. caninum.

Highlights

In Brazil, the beef and dairy production chains are two profitable segments developed by the world’s second largest cattle herd, with about 200 million head (BRASIL, 2016)
Neosporosis is a disease caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum, which has as its definitive hosts some wild canids and the domestic dog (DUBEY et al, 1988)
Owing to the importance of dogs in the transmission of N. caninum to cattle and the scarcity of studies on this protozoan in cattle in northeastern Brazil, especially in the State of Paraíba, the objective of this study was to carry out a seroepidemiological survey and to identify risk factors associated with the seroprevalence for N. caninum infection in dairy cattle and dogs from rural properties in the municipality of Gado Bravo, Agreste, State of Paraíba

Summary

Introduction

In Brazil, the beef and dairy production chains are two profitable segments developed by the world’s second largest cattle herd, with about 200 million head (BRASIL, 2016). It is important to know the health of the herds, since parasitic diseases, including neosporosis, can cause serious economic losses for livestock, ranging from reproductive problems to the reduction of milk production (HASLER et al, 2006). Neosporosis is a disease caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum, which has as its definitive hosts some wild canids and the domestic dog (DUBEY et al, 1988). Included among its intermediate hosts are cattle, goats, sheep, buffaloes, horses, and pigs. N. caninum has a severe impact on the animal’s neuromusculature, affecting mainly the central nervous system (BJERKAS; MOHN; PRESTHUS, 1984). This parasite causes the abortion of bovine fetuses, resulting in economic losses in the cattle breeding industry.

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