BRASIL, A. W. L.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3681498984380919; BRASIL, Arthur Willian de Lima.
Abstract:
The aim of this work was to determine the frequency of antibodies and the risk
factors for brucellosis, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in buffaloes of
Paraíba State. One hundred thirty-six buffaloes from 14 herds were used. For the
diagnosis of brucellosis the Buffered Acidified Plate Antigen (BAPA) test was applied
as screening test and the 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) test as confirmatory test. For
leptospirosis the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was performed with the dilution
1:100 as cutoff-point. For the detection of anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies
the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used. The frequency of seropositive
animals for leptospirosis, brucellosis, toxoplasmosis and neosporosis were 27.9%, 1.5%,
12.5% and 19.1%, respectively, while the frequencies of positive properties were
64.3%, 14.3%, 71.4% and 71.4%, respectively. There were no risk factors for
leptospirosis and brucellosis, however, semi-intensive farming (odds ratio = 2.99, 95%
CI = 0.99 to 8.98) and presence of pigs (odds ratio = 4.33; 95% CI = 1.34 to 13.98)
were identified as risk factors for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis, respectively. Since
brucellosis is subject to official control in cattle in Brazil, the presence of positive
buffaloes indicates the possibility of negative impact on efforts to control the disease in
cattle, and thus it is recommended that more attention be given to these animals in the
control of brucellosis. Related to leptospirosis, it is suggested that the raising with
horses and pigs may be an important factor in the occurrence of positive animals. Based
on the analysis of risk factors it is suggest the need for further works on the importance
of T. gondii and N. caninum in water buffaloes and pigs as well as the influence of the
type of farming in the occurrence of seropositive animals.
