Serological frequency of Neospora caninum in Livestock Production Units in central Veracruz, Mexico

Objective. To determine the frequency of Neospora caninum in two Livestock buffalo/bovine Production Units (LPU) in the central zone of the state of Veracruz, México. Materials and methods. The study was a cross-sectional study with non-probability convenience sampling. Two Livestock Production Units (LPUs), both with buffalo and bovine populations, located in the central zone of the state of Veracruz, Mexico, were included. The total populations of buffaloes, bovines, and canines were included. Blood samples were taken between February and March 2019 and processed with a commercial ELISA test (IDEXX®) and an Indirect Immunofluorescence Test (VMRD, Pullman, WA, USA) to determine Neospora caninum antibodies. In each LPU, a general and individual survey was applied. Data were analyzed with the STATA software version 14.0. Results. 68 out of 138 samples presented antibodies against N. caninum, with a frequency of 45.6% (95% CI, 37.1–54.3). The buffalo population had higher N. caninum antibody concentrations, 26/31 from the LPU of Cotaxtla with 83.8% (95% CI, 66.2–94.5) and 12/22 from the LPU of Medellín with 54.5% (95% CI, 32.2–75.6). Regarding the canines, 4/6 were positive (66.6%). Regarding the different animal species, 38/53 buffaloes presented the highest frequency with 71.6% (95% CI, 57.6–83.2). Conclusions. The presence of N. caninum antibodies in the bovine and buffalo populations of the studied LPUs was verified. There was a higher frequency of antibodies in water buffaloes when they cohabited with cattle and canines.