Search

Background: Bovine leptospirosis is a zoonotic, infectious, and cosmopolitan disease of worldwide distribution, caused by the spirochete Leptospira spp., which has been diagnosed in humans; domestic mammals, such as dogs, sheep, goats, swine, horses and cattle; and wild animals. It is considered a significant cause of economic losses in livestock because it causes infertility, abortion and reduced milk production. Aim: To establish the prevalence and the main risk factors associated with Leptospira spp. in cattle in the municipality of Sotaquirá, Colombia. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with simple random sampling was carried out. 1,000 cattle of Ayrshire, Holstein, Jersey, Normande, Zebu, and crossbreeds were sampled. Blood samples were taken by coccygeal venipuncture and processed by microscopic agglutination technique; animals were considered positive when titers were =1:100. The data obtained were processed with the statistical program EpiInfo®. Results: A general apparent prevalence (AP) of 16% (160/1,000) was established, where the crossbreeds (20.5% AP), the 2-4 years age group (17% AP), and the serovars Leptospira interrogans serogroup Pomona (5.1%) and L. interrogans serogroup Sjroe serovar Hardjo (3.4%) presented the highest seropositivity. The variables barnyard, artificial insemination, and use of certified semen were identified as protective factors against the disease, while diarrhea was considered a risk factor. Conclusion: The prevalence in this study is within the range of those reported at the national level; however, it is essential to establish plans to control and prevent the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine Paratuberculosis (BPT) or Johne's disease is a pathology caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). The parasite causes chronic granulomatous enteritis in domestic and wild grazers. Oral-fecal transmission is the most common form of transmission with calves less than six months old being the most susceptible but not presenting clinical symptoms until five years later. It is a disease that spreads during dairy production generating economic loss due to low productive yield and the early discarding of infected animals. The objective of our study was to perform a serological diagnostic of BPT in herds from the municipality of Sotaquirá, Boyacá. The study was designed as an observational, cross-sectional study with simple random sampling. Blood samples were taken from 1000 individuals and were analyzed via a commercial indirect ELISA assay kit (PARACHEK® 2 KIT, Prionics, Switzerland). The assay had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 100%. Data was analyzed using EpiInfo® software. We found a low prevalence of MAP in Sotaquirá (3.5% PA and 5.0%PR), where we found that the age group with highest prevalence of MAP were individuals older than four years old (5.6%). We also found that Jersey (4.8%) and Holstein (4.5%) cattle breeds also had a higher prevalence of the disease. We also established cattle were aged more than four years and we similarly found a statistically significant association with handling practices (p<0.05). Determination of seroprevalence and principal risk factors within livestock farms allows for establishment of prevention and control programs through implementation of biosecurity measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Enzootic bovine leukosis is a disease economically important to the dairy farming industry worldwide. The virus is of the Deltaretrovirus genus and is primarily transmitted iatrogenically. Most bovines infected with the virus remain asymptomatic with only 5-10% of cattle having lymphomas. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of bovine leukosis virus (BLV) in Sotaquirá, Boyacá, Colombia. Materials and Methods: We conducted a descriptive, observational epidemiological cross-sectional study using the simple random sampling method with a sample size of 1000. Blood samples from random bovine were processed using the SERELISA® BLV Ab Mono Blocking indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (Zoetis, USA). The assay had a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 98%. The collected data were processed using Epi Info® (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Atlanta, Georgia). From the study, we could determine a high seroprevalence of BLV in Sotaquirá. Results: We established a high seroprevalence on BLV in the municipality, with 31.1% apparent seroprevalence and 30.6% real seroprevalence rate. We found that male cattle more than 4 years old (39.4%) and the Ayrshire breed (45.5%) had the highest prevalence rates of the virus. In this study, we could establish statistically significant associations according to breed, age, and gender of the cattle under study. Moreover, we identified the risk factors for BLV infection. We found that in cattle aged <1 year and those older than 4 years of age and those of the Holstein breed, the presentation of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, mucosal secretions, mastitis, fetal death, the presence of a corral, and the implementation of artificial insemination practices were risk factors for BLV infection. Conclusion: Determining the prevalence of BLV within the herd and identifying the associated risk factors for the disease are fundamental in developing efficient programs for the control and eradication of BLV within herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]