Risk Factors Associated With Infection By Neospora Caninum In Dual- Purpose Cattle In The Central Region Of Veracruz, Mexico (original) (raw)
2012, The Internet Journal of Veterinary Medicine
The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of Neospora caninum-seropositive dual-purpose cattle from two municipalities in Veracruz, Mexico, and to determine possible risk factors associated with seropositivity. The study examined 28 farms in the municipalities of Jamapa and Veracruz with a total population of 1889 cattle. From these cattle, 555 serum samples were obtained. Anti-Neospora caninum antibodies were identified using ELISAs. The risk factors considered included the presence of dogs and/or wild canids, occurrence of abortions and neonatal deaths, origin of replacement animals, feed, and vaccination programs. The strength of the association of each factor (variable) with the serological results was evaluated by odds ratios (ORs) and chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Of the 555 sera, 105 (18.91%) were positive for anti-Neospora caninum antibodies. Factors significantly associated with seropositivity for Neospora caninum were the presence of abortions [OR = 7.34; 95% confidence interval (CI 95%) = 2.35-22.92; p< 0.05] and replacement animals from other Mexican states [OR = 2.23; CI 95% = 1.13-4.39; p< 0.05]. In conclusion, many of the dual-purpose cattle examined here had been exposed to Neospora caninum as evidenced by positive serological tests for anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle from 23 of the 28 farms tested (82%). The association between the abortions and Neospora caninum seropositivity suggests that cattle could be previously infected with the parasite. Due to there was not a correlation between the presence of canids and Neospora caninum seropositivity, the main route of transmission must be between cattle (endogenous and exogenous).
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