Neospora caninum in properties in the west region of Paraná, Brazil: prevalence and risk factors

Abstract

Neospora caninum is a heteroxenous protozoa, whose definitive hosts are canids and intermediate hosts are herbivores, and is of great importance in cattle. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of N. caninum in dairy cattle and dogs, to detect the presence of the protozoa at the molecular level in aborted fetuses, and to identify the risk factors associated with infection in properties in the western region of the state of Paraná. For this study, 600 bovine serum samples from 60 properties, 163 canine serum samples from 52 properties and 17 bovine fetuses from nine properties were collected. Data were collected using an epidemiological questionnaire to verify the risk factors. Serum samples were analyzed using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Fetal tissues were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction and subsequent DNA sequencing. Of the bovine samples, 23.67% were positive for N. caninum. Among the canine samples, 11.66% were positive for N. caninum. Risk factors in cattle were history of abortion, low milk production, extensive breeding, and Jersey breed (p<0.05). Protozoan DNA was detected in 52.94% of the 17 fetuses and the sequencing presented high similarity with N. caninum.

Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii: seroprevalence and associated factors in cows from milk farms of Toledo, Parana, Brazil

“…Our work further reinforces the relationship between abortion and N. caninum seropositivity, but we must not forget that T. gondii was also identified as a risk factor associated with abortion, so this etiological agent should also be included as a differential in reproductive cases of this species. Snak et al (2018), studying dairy properties in Western Paraná, found as a risk association with N. caninum low milk production, which corroborates with our study, as we detected properties with more than 10 animals acting as a protective association with T. gondii. We can consider that these farms with more than 10 lactating animals use or seek technologies to increase livestock production, resulting in better herd health, a fact that may explain the protection factor found.…”

“…Snak, Garcia, Lara, Pena and Osaki (2018) studying the agent detected a prevalence of IgG immunoglobulin of 23.7% in dairy cattle in the western region of the state. When analyzing occurrence by property, Locatelli-Dittrich et al (2008) found 77% positivity and Snak et al (2018) reported 80% of farms with at least one positive animal. The authors mentioned above showed high rates when compared with the present study in both animals and properties; this reveals the diversity of the level of protozoan infection in our state.…”

Co-infection by Neopora caninum and bovine viral diarrhea virus in cattle from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, destined to exportation

“…The occurrence of anti-NC antibodies detected in the present study when the total serum samples were analyzed (22.75%) is in accordance with serological studies realized in some Brazilian regions/states, as Goiás (27%) (SANTIN et al, 2017) and Paraná (13.2%) (Snak et al 2018). There was not statistical difference in the frequency detection of antibody anti-NC in animals naturally infected with BVDV (23.27%) and not infected (21.18%), suggesting that in the bovines tested, the frequency of animals persistently infected with N. caninum should not be influenced by previously BVDV infection.…”

Neospora caninum infection in dairy farms with history of abortion in West of Iran

“…The differences on seroprevalence in each part of the country may be as a result of various factors like sampling and investigation methods, farms management, food storage, contact with carnivores, geographic conditions, and temperature effect on viability and sporulation of N. caninum oocysts. This finding was also similar to the reports in Kenya, Brazil and Slovakia ( Dubey et al., 2007 , Okumu et al., 2019 , Snak et al., 2018 ).…”