Frecuencia serológica de Neospora caninum en Unidades de Producción en zona central de Veracruz, México

Abstract

Objective. To determine the frequency of Neospora caninum in two Livestock Production Units with a buffalo/bovine system in the central zone of the state of Veracruz, México. Materials and methods. It was a cross-sectional study with non-probability convenience sampling. Two Livestock Production Units (UPP), both with buffalo and bovine populations located in the central zone of the state of Veracruz, México were included. The total population of buffalo, bovine and canine were included, the blood samples were taken between February-March, 2019, and were processed with a commercial ELISA test (IDEXX®) and an Indirect Immunofluorescence Test (VMRD, Pullman, WA, USA). In each UPP, a general and individual survey was applied to collect data. The results were analyzed with STATA software version 14.0. Results. 68 samples out of 138, presented antibodies against N. caninum with a frequency of 45.6% (95%CI 37.1-54.3). In relation to UPP, the buffalo population had a higher presence of antibodies against N. caninum, 26/31 from UPP Cotaxtla with 83.8% (95%CI 66.2-94.5) and 12/22 from UPP Medellín with 54.5% (95%CI 32.2-75.6). In relation to dogs, 4/6 were positive (66.6%). It was observed that according to the animal species 38/53 buffaloes, presented the highest frequency with 71.6% (95%CI 57.6-83.2). Conclusions. The presence of antibodies against N. caninum in the bovine and buffalo population of the studied UPPs was verified. It was confirmed that there is a higher frequency of antibodies in water buffaloes when they cohabit with cattle and canines.