Seroepidemiological inquiry on bovine neosporosis in northern Mato Grosso state, Brazil

Abstract

This work involved the study of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay in serum samples of 205 cows (Bos taurus indicus) Nellore, pure origin, aged over 24 months, reared on farms in the municipalities of Sinop, Itaúba, Colíder, Carlinda and Guarantã do Norte, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. An epidemiological evaluation through an interview with employees responsible for taking care of the animals during the period of 2010-2012. The studied area revealed epidemiological conditions favorable for the occurrence of bovine neosporosis, with 37.56% seropositive animals for anti-N. caninum. Sinop (70%) and Carlinda (50%) showed a frequency of seropositive animals was statistically equal to that observed (26.67%) in other studies for other cities in Brazil. By confronting the serological status of the animals with variables of questionnaire, there was association (p < 0.01) between seropositivity of cows and the natural sources of drinking water, the incidence of abortion and repeating estrus. However, there was no statistical association between seropositive cows and the occurrence of neonatal deaths (p = 0.075), stillbirths (p = 0.02), presence of domestic dogs (p = 0.9) and the habit of giving raw offal to dogs (p = 0.93). Besides the occurrence of N. caninum, it was evidenced misinformation about bovine neosporosis and its control among interviewed people. This first study shows the need for further research on the epidemiology of bovine neosporosis in northern Mato Grosso state.