Reproductive failures associated with antibodies against caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in goats in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

This study aimed at assessing the occurrence of antibodies against the caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV), Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, as well as the associations between the presence of antibodies and the occurrence of reproductive failures in goats. Serum samples were collecte...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Costa, Heni Falcão da, Stachissini, Anne Valéria Mendonça, Langoni, Hélio, Padovani, Carlos Roberto, Gennari, Solange Maria, Modolo, José Rafael
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2012
Country:Brasil
Institution:Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo (FMVZ-USP)
Repository:Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:revistas.usp.br:article/40261
Online Access:https://www.revistas.usp.br/bjvras/article/view/40261
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Caprino
CAEV
Toxoplasma gondii
Neospora caninum
Falhas reprodutivas
Goat
Co-infection
Reproductive failures
Description
Summary:This study aimed at assessing the occurrence of antibodies against the caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV), Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, as well as the associations between the presence of antibodies and the occurrence of reproductive failures in goats. Serum samples were collected from 923 goats of both sexes, over 3 months of age, from 17 dairy farms located in different municipalities of São Paulo State, Brazil. Infections by T. gondii, N. caninum and CAEV were evaluated by indirect methods of diagnosis based on indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT), Neospora agglutination test (NAT), and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), respectively. A survey was conducted on the farms to obtain information about reproduction dates (abortions, stillbirths and births of weak and premature kids) and zoosanitary management. Antibodies against CAEV, T. gondii and N. caninum was found in 37.81%, 23.62% and 17.23% respectively. There was no significant association between the presence of anti-CAEV antibodies and CAEV/T. gondii or CAEV/N. caninum co-infection, suggesting that CAEV does not predispose goats to infection by these agents. However, when CAEV/T. gondii (p<0.01) or CAEV/N. caninum (p<0.001) co-infection was present, the occurrence of reproductive failures was significantly higher what could indicate that CAEV-induced immunosuppression may predispose goats to develop the clinical symptoms of toxoplasmosis and neosporosis increasing the risks of the reproductive failures.