Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in Dairy Buffaloes in Lahore District, Pakistan

Abstract

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy buffaloes ( Bubalus bubalis ) was assessed in the Lahore District of Punjab Province, Pakistan. The study revealed an overall prevalence of 54.7% for N. caninum antibodies determined through a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay performed on randomly collected serum samples. The highest prevalence was observed in buffaloes >3-5 yr of age (64.1%), followed by 57.9% for 5 to 6 yr olds, and 55.8% in 1-yr-old neonates, with high probability of infection under intensive dairy farming conditions. The pattern of prevalence was closely associated with the season as reflected by the highest prevalence (70.5%) in summer (May-August) and lowest (39.6%) in winter (November-January). Aborting buffaloes illustrated significantly higher (78.9%) exposure compared with non-aborting dams (59.8%). Prevalence in animals with canine contact was significantly higher (60.3%) than without contact (48.1%). This is the first reported prevalence of N. caninum in Pakistan.

Prevalence and distribution of Neospora caninum in water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ) and cattle in the Northern Territory of Australia

“…N. caninum has been identified in wild canids and dingo in Australia [3,6], and, world-wide in many wild ruminant species, including water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) [7]. Water buffalo have tested positive for N. caninum in multiple countries of Asia [8][9][10][11][12], Europe [13], South America [14,15] and Africa [16]. From the worldwide literature it would appear that water buffalo generally show a higher seroprevalence than domestic cattle [2].…”

“…These buffalo had a higher calving and weaning rate than the co-habiting domestic cattle, despite a higher seroprevalence for N. caninum. Only few studies, have, thus far, shown links between naturally acquired N. caninum infection and abortion in B. bubalis [8,13], although experimentally abortion can be induced readily [17].…”

“…It has also been observed that, despite a higher seroprevalence, water buffalo appear to be more resistant to the reproductive consequences of N. caninum infection, showing lower abortion rates and higher calving and weaning rates than cohabiting domestic cattle [15]. Only few studies (from Pakistan and Italy) have actually shown links between naturally acquired N. caninum infection and abortion occurrence in B. bubalis [8,13].…”

Co-infection of water buffaloes in Punjab, Pakistan, with Neospora caninum and Brucella abortus

“…Neospora caninum, the etiological agent of bovine neosporosis, is an abortifacient protozoan parasite, implicated in causing infection and subsequent reproductive losses in cattle (2), water buffaloes (3) and other domestic (4) as well as wild animal species (5). Neosporosis in buffalo has been documented from several regions of the world, such as from Brazil (6), Egypt (7), and Thailand (8), and also from Pakistan (9). Economic losses instigated by N. caninum worldwide can be demonstrated as direct costs mediated by abortion (10), together with culling infected animals (11).…”

Emerging Infectious Diseases in Water Buffalo: An Economic and Public Health Concern

“…Lesions caused by N. caninum in water buffaloes are uncommon, due to few studies showing direct association between the parasite and abortions [197,218,219]. The lesions seen naturally aborted buffalo caused by N. caninum consists of non-suppurative inflammation in placenta, brain, heart and other organs [33].…”