Soroepidemiologia da neosporose e toxoplasmose bovina no estado do Amazonas, Brasil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cattle and the risk factors associated with infection by these protozoans in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. In addition to performing serological monitoring for bovine neosporosis in seropositive herds, in five properties with prevalence of Neospora caninum infection ≥ 40%. In the study of vertical transmission of N. caninum, pre-colostral serology was performed. Samples were collected from 1073 animals from 47 farms, distributed in 33 municipalities in the four subpopulations (1, 2, 3 and 4). The prevalence of anti-T antibodies.gondii was 30.94% (332/1073) and seropositive animals were identified in 93.62% (44/47) of the surveyed properties. The prevalence of anti-N antibodies.caninum was 30.19% (324/1073) and seropositive animals were identified in 91.49% (43/47) of the properties. The risk factors associated with T. gondii infection were: number of animals (OR = 4.43) and the presence of domestic cats (OR = 1.98). The risk factors for N. caninum infection were: dairy farming (OR = 2.71), herds raised in terra firme and floodplain association systems (OR = 1.54), running water source in association with standing water, presence of dogs (OR = 1.80), occurrence of abortion on property (OR = 2.35), newborn mortality (OR = 2.46) and birth of weak calves (OR = 1 , 88).The initial prevalence in the five properties was 53.74% (43/80) and the final prevalence was 63.75% (51/80). A vertical transmission rate of 8.70% was observed. Seropositive herds for T. gondii are present in all subpopulations studied in the state of Amazonas. This is the first seroepidemiological study of N. caninum infection in cattle in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. In addition, this study demonstrated an increase in the seroconversion rate of cows in serologically monitored herds for Neospora caninum and a lower rate of vertical parasite transmission under cattle management conditions in the Amazon region of Brazil.