Low seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection associated with the limousin breed in cow-calf herds in Andorra, Europe.
Neospora caninum seroprevalence and risk factors affecting seroprevalence in beef cattle in Andorra were investigated. Antibodies to N. caninum were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay performed on a yearly basis in 1,758 animals older than 6 mo, belonging to 26 herds. Mean seroprevalence of antibodies to N. caninum for the herds was 7.4 +/- 1.2% (130/1,758). Logistic regression analyses were performed on data from each animal, considering N. caninum seropositivity as the dependent variable, and herd, grazing area, year of sampling, repeat-test animal (animals sampled twice or more), sex, breed, age (animals <4 yr old or > or =5 yr old), and country of birth as possible risk factors. Based on the odds ratio, the prevalence of infection was 2.1 times higher (P < 0.01) in animals from the Ordino grazing area, 1.64 times higher in animals older than 5 yr (P < 0.01), and 6.7 times (1/0.15) lower in Limousin-mixed Limousin cattle (P < 0.002). The results suggest that the particular grazing location could promote the horizontal transmission of this parasite and that certain breeds are less susceptible to N. caninum infection than others.
Armengol
Ramon
R
Parasitologia y Enfermedades Parasitarias, Departmento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
Pabón
Marcela
M
Santolaria
Pilar
P
Cabezón
Oscar
O
Adelantado
Carles
C
Yániz
Jesús
J
López-Gatius
Fernando
F
Almería
Sonia
S
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D018688:Neospora / Q000276:immunology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan