Serosurveillance and risk factors for Neospora caninum infection in water buffaloes (B. bubalis) from central and southern Mexico

The water buffalo (B. bubalis) is an alternative to cattle ranching in several regions of southern Mexico. Here we report seroprevalence and risk factors associated with the protozoan parasite, Neospora caninum, in water buffaloes in six buffalo production units, in municipalities from central and southern Veracruz, Mexico. Antibodies to N. caninum were assessed in serum samples of 543 buffaloes by a commercial ELISA-kit, and 44.8% (243/543; 95% CI 40.5-49.0) were seropositive. Questionnaires were used to collect epidemiological data and to identify risk factors associated with N. caninum infection. Data analysis indicated that older buffaloes (>= 7 year) exhibited the highest seroprevalence for neosporosis 62.3% (38/61; 95% CI 49.7-73.4) (P <= 0.05). Buffaloes that were in close contact with cattle had higher seroprevalence 47.6% (168/353; 95% CI 42.3-52.9) (P < 0.01) than those that were not in contact 36.8% (70/190; 95% CI 30.0-44.1). Our findings provide important information to implement preventive measures in the buffalo farms.