Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum seropositivity in buffaloes in Paraiba State, Brazil

Abstract

The aims of this survey were to determine the frequency of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies and to identify the risk factors associated with seropositivity among buffaloes in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. This survey included 136 buffaloes belonging to 14 herds. To detect anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies, the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used. Among the 136 samples analyzed, 17 (12.5%) were positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies with titers ranging from 64 to 1,024, and 26 (19.1%) for anti-N. caninum with titers from 200 to 1,600. Animals seropositive for both T. gondii and N. caninum were found in 10 of the 14 herds (71.4%). Semi-intensive management systems (odds ratio = 2.99) and presence of pigs (odds ratio = 4.33) were identified as risk factors for T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. It can be suggested that T. gondii and N. caninum are widespread in buffaloes in Paraíba, and that additional surveys are needed in order to ascertain the importance of these agents for this species and for pigs, and the influence of the farming type on occurrences of seropositive animals.Keywords: Toxoplasmosis, neosporosis, bubaline, seroepidemiology, control. ResumoOs objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar a frequência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii e anti-Neospora caninum e identificar os fatores de risco associados com as soropositividades em búfalos do Estado da Paraíba, Brasil. Foram utilizados 136 búfalos oriundos de 14 propriedades. Para a detecção de anticorpos anti-T. gondii e anti-N. caninum, foi empregada a reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI). Das 136 amostras analisadas, 17 (12,5%) foram positivas para anticorpos anti-T. gondii, com títulos variando de 64 a 1.024; e 26 (19,1%) para anticorpos anti-N. caninum, com títulos de 200 a 1.600. Das 14 propriedades, em 10 (71,4%) houve animais soropositivos tanto para T. gondii como para N. caninum. O manejo semi-intensivo (odds ratio = 2,99) e a presença de suínos (odds ratio = 4,33) foram identificados como fatores de risco para T. gondii e N. caninum, respectivamente. Sugere-se que T. gondii e N. caninum estão disseminados em búfalos do Estado da Paraíba, bem como a necessidade de mais estudos acerca da importância desses agentes nessa espécie e em suínos, e da influência do tipo de criação na ocorrência de animais soropositivos.

Seroprevalence and Clinical Outcomes of Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti Infections in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

“…In the recent years, increasing demand for dairy products and consequent maximizing productivity of buffalo herds have raised concerns regarding diseases that lower fertility or cause abortion in this livestock species but the attention has been focused mostly on infectious diseases [8]. Thus, investigations on the implications of parasitic pathogens in relation to reproductive losses in this species are needed [9][10][11].…”

Avaliação Das Condições Higiênico-Sanitárias Dos Alimentos Servidos Nos Food Trucks Na Cidade De Uberlândia/Mg

“…Santos (2012) used IFA and foundthat the seropositivity was 27.2% in Rio Grande do Sul. Brasil et al (2015) evaluated 136 buffaloes from 14 properties in Paraíba and found that the seropositivity was 12.5%. Guerra et al…”

Prevalence and associated factors with Neospora caninum infection in female water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Pernambuco, Brazil

“…A cross-sectional study was carried out using a convenience, non-probability sampling technique. The sample size required for this seroepidemiological survey was estimated considering a bubaline population of 10,437 heads (IBGE, 2016) and an expected prevalence for N. caninum infection of 19.1% (BRASIL et al, 2015). Based on this data, a minimum sample size of 238 buffaloes was deemed necessary, considering a 95% confidence interval and statistical error of 5% (THRUSFIELD, 2004).…”

“…buffalo herd is in Northeast, with 10,437 thousand heads located in the state of Pernambuco (IBGE, 2016). Many serological surveys on N. caninum infection in water buffaloes have been carried out by researchers in different parts of the world with prevalences ranging from 1.50 to 88.30% (BRASIL et al, 2015;CAMPERO et al, 2007;CHRYSSAFIDIS et al, 2015;DUBEY et al, 1998;FUJII et al, 2001;FERROGLIO et al, 2003;GALVÃO et al, 2013;GONDIM et al, 2007;GUARINO et al, 2000;GENNARI et al, 2005;HUONG et al, 1998;HAMIDINEJAT et al, 2015;KONNAI et al, 2008;KONRAD et al, 2013;MEENAKSHI et al, 2007;MOORE et al, 2014;NASIR et al, 2011;NEVERAUSKAS et al, 2015;PORTELLA et al, 2016;RODRIGUES et al, 2005;ROMERO-SALAS et al, 2017;SOUZA et al, 2001;SENGUPTA et al, 2012;SILVA et al, 2010SILVA et al, , 2014SILVA et al, , 2017VOGEL et al, 2006;YU et al, 2007).…”