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

One hundred twenty-four water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) originating from 9 farms locatedin southern Italy were tested to investigate simultaneously, for the first time, the seroprevalence ofthe protozoaNeospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondiiandBesnoitia besnoitiby ELISA tests and to evaluatethe clinical findings potentially associated to the presence of these aborting parasitic pathogens.Twenty-five of 124 buffaloes (20.2%) were positive forN. caninum, while 17/124 (13.7%) forT. gondii.No buffalo showed specific antibodies forB. besnoiti.Nineteen of 124 animals (15.3%) were foundseropositive for bothT. gondiiandN. caninum. The univariate statistical analysis showed that theseroprevalence ofN. caninumis significantly associated with abortion and presence of retained foetalmembranes, while the seroprevalence ofT. gondiiis significantly associated with an increase ofdays open. The logistic regression models showed that the co-infection byN. caninumandT. gondiistrengthened the abortive effects (OR=7.330) and showed further negative effects on the parameterembryonic death (OR=2.607). The outcome revealed herein represents a high exposure ofN. caninumandT. gondiiin water buffaloes with reproduction disorders that deserves attention for both economicreasons, animal health and welfare (PDF) Seroprevalence and Clinical Outcomes of Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti Infections in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340129008_Seroprevalence_and_Clinical_Outcomes_of_Neospora_caninum_Toxoplasma_gondii_and_Besnoitia_besnoiti_Infections_in_Water_Buffaloes_Bubalus_bubalis [accessed Mar 24 2020].