Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy buffaloes in Lahore District, Pakistan

J Parasitol. 2011 Jun;97(3):541-3. doi: 10.1645/GE-2687.1. Epub 2010 Nov 22.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Veterinary / parasitology
  • Age Distribution
  • Animals
  • Animals, Suckling
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Buffaloes / parasitology*
  • Coccidiosis / epidemiology
  • Coccidiosis / transmission
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary*
  • Dog Diseases / parasitology
  • Dog Diseases / transmission
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / veterinary
  • Male
  • Neospora / immunology*
  • Pakistan / epidemiology
  • Parity
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / veterinary*
  • Seasons
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Sex Distribution

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan