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

Abstract

One hundred twenty-four water buffaloes (<i>Bubalus bubalis</i>) originating from 9 farms located in southern Italy were tested to investigate simultaneously, for the first time, the seroprevalence of the protozoa <i>Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii</i> and <i>Besnoitia besnoiti</i> by ELISA tests and to evaluate the clinical findings potentially associated to the presence of these aborting parasitic pathogens. Twenty-five of 124 buffaloes (20.2%) were positive for <i>N. caninum</i>, while 17/124 (13.7%) for <i>T. gondii</i>. No buffalo showed specific antibodies for <i>B. besnoiti.</i> Nineteen of 124 animals (15.3%) were found seropositive for both <i>T. gondii</i> and <i>N. caninum</i>. The univariate statistical analysis showed that the seroprevalence of <i>N. caninum</i> is significantly associated with abortion and presence of retained foetal membranes, while the seroprevalence of <i>T. gondii</i> is significantly associated with an increase of days open. The logistic regression models showed that the co-infection by <i>N. caninum</i> and <i>T. gondii</i> strengthened the abortive effects (OR = 7.330) and showed further negative effects on the parameter embryonic death (OR = 2.607). The outcome revealed herein represents a high exposure of <i>N. caninum</i> and <i>T. gondii</i> in water buffaloes with reproduction disorders that deserves attention for both economic reasons, animal health and welfare.