Natural association between bovine leukemia virus and reproductive infectious diseases

Background: Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is a widespread infectious disease caused by the bovine leukemia virus (BLV), which results in immune system dysfunction. The resulting immunosuppression may lead to an increased prevalence of other diseases. Dairy cows infected have altered immune function associated with decreased milk production and shortened lifespan and decreased immune response to immunization. BLV infection, however, is often asymptomatic, so any connection between subclinical infection and common reproductive diseases remains unknown. This study aimed to describe the relationship between naturally occurring subclinical BLV and infectious reproductive diseases seroconversion in the field. Materials, Methods & Results: The diseases investigated included Bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD), Bovine alfaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), Bovine gammaherpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4), Chlamydiosis, Leptospirosis, Brucellosis and Neosporosis in dairy cattle. Six hundred fifty-five sera samples from the northern and south-central regions of Uruguay, from asymptomatic female Holstein and Holstein crosses without a history of vaccination against reproductive diseases were processed using reference diagnostic methods (Seronautalization, ELISA, MAT, Rose Bengal Plate test). The seroprevalence of BLV was 20.0%. Seroprevalence of reproductive diseases BVD, BoHV-1 and BoHV-4 were 99.3%, 41.2% and 27.3% of the populations, respectively, and the total seroprevalence of Leptospirosis, bovine Neospora caninum and Chlamydiosis were 19.8%, 29.8% and 33.0% respectively. The results revealed positive associations between naturally contracted BLV and the presence of antibodies against BoHV-1 (P = 0.002), as well as between naturally contracted BLV and presence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. (P = 0.028). Discussion: BLV infection can impact innate and adaptive immune system cells and alter the proper functioning of uninfected cells. BLV infection may also induce changes in the complex balance of cytokine expression, cell proliferation, and programmed cell death in T- and B-lymphocytes, which is critical for immune competence and effective response to infectious challenges. The progression of BLV infection has a substantial effect on host defense mechanisms. Indeed, lowmagnitude serologic responses to a commercial foot-and-mouth disease vaccine and a J5 Escherichia coli vaccine have been observed. These results are supported by recent trial studies showing a reduced immune response to vaccination against BoHV-1 and Leptospira spp. in asymptomatic animals infected with BLV. These are 2 of the most prevalent infectious reproductive diseases in cattle worldwide, and our results provide evidence that a link between BLV and susceptibility to these diseases may exist. Although there is evidence of the co-occurrence of these diseases, it remains unknown whether there is a direct or indirect effect of BLV on infertility, embryonic loss, or abortion. Another possibility is that natural infection with these reproductive pathogens (BoHV-1, Leptospira, or others) promotes BLV expression, negatively affecting the farms where these pathogens are endemic. Considering the high seroprevalence of BLV in dairy herds in North and South America where the infection is endemic, it was explored BLV's role as an immunosuppressant by quantifying its co-occurrence with diseases that affect reproductive performance in breeding herds. Future work should clarify the role of BLV and the co-occurring pathogens in causing infertility or abortions.

Antibodies against toxoplasmosis in semicaptive pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) in Uruguay

The health status of wild animals is of particular interest in veterinary epidemiology to have certainty on the diseases that affect each species, and which ones may be shared with domestic species and humans. Epidemiological surveillance should be done as frequently as possible to predict the appearance of emerging diseases in susceptible animal populations. The pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) is an artiodactyl mammal belonging to the suborder of ruminants, considered on Appendix 1 of CITES and is designated an endangered species by the IUCN. Small isolated populations have been reported in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. In Uruguay there are two wild populations, and there is a third semi-captive population with approximately 80 individuals at the Estación de Cría de Fauna Autóctona Cerro Pan de Azúcar (ECFA, Maldonado, Uruguay). Until now, there is scarce information reported on infectious and parasitic diseases in this specie. The aim of this work was to determine the presence of antibodies against Leptospirosis (Leptospira interrogans, 21 serovars), Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii), Brucellosis (Brucella abortus), Chlamydiosis (Chlamydophila abortus), Enzootic bovine leukosis, Bovine herpesvirus and Bovine viral diarrhea in the ECFA pampas deer population.[...]

Antibodies against toxoplasmosis in semicaptive pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) in Uruguay

The health status of wild animals is of particular interest in veterinary epidemiology to have certainty on the diseases that affect each species, and which ones may be shared with domestic species and humans. Epidemiological surveillance should be done as frequently as possible to predict the appearance of emerging diseases in susceptible animal populations. The pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) is an artiodactyl mammal belonging to the suborder of ruminants, considered on Appendix 1 of CITES and is designated an endangered species by the IUCN. Small isolated populations have been reported in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. In Uruguay there are two wild populations, and there is a third semi-captive population with approximately 80 individuals at the Estación de Cría de Fauna Autóctona Cerro Pan de Azúcar (ECFA, Maldonado, Uruguay). Until now, there is scarce information reported on infectious and parasitic diseases in this specie. The aim of this work was to determine the presence of antibodies against Leptospirosis (Leptospira interrogans, 21 serovars), Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii), Brucellosis (Brucella abortus), Chlamydiosis (Chlamydophila abortus), Enzootic bovine leukosis, Bovine herpesvirus and Bovine viral diarrhea in the ECFA pampas deer population.[...](AU)

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum em pequenas propriedades leiteiras do Uruguai

Neosporosis is a worldwide disease caused by a protozoan (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae), called Neospora caninum (N. caninum). In Latin America was diagnosed in Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Peru. In Uruguay, the prevalence in dairy cattle is undetermined, with only a few reports in some areas from medium and large farmers. The main of this study was to determine the presence of serologically positive animals against N. caninum in small dairy farmers in critical context from central region of Uruguay (Departments of Durazno and Tacuarembó). Using a commercial ELISA kit, 734 sera of adult dairy cows were analyzed, resulting in 211 positive (28.8%), 517 negative (70.5%) and six animals with uncertain outcome (0.7%). The results demonstrated the exposure of cattle to the parasite, which is the first serological survey of N. caninum in basins of small dairy farmers in critical context in Uruguay.

Neosporose é uma doença de distribuição mundial causada por um protozoário (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae), denominado Neospora caninum (N. caninum). Na América Latina, o protozoário foi diagnosticado no Uruguai, Brasil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguai e Peru. No Uruguai a prevalência em rebanhos leiteiros não foi determinada, havendo somente levantamentos sorológicos de algumas regiões do país em propriedades rurais de médio e grande porte. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a presença de animais sorologicamente positivos contra N. caninum em bacias leiteiras de pequenas propriedades com baixos recursos socioeconômicos da zona central do Uruguai (Estados de Durazno e Tacuarembó). Utilizando um Kit de ELISA comercial, foram analisados 734 soros provenientes de vacas leiteiras adultas, obtendo-se 211 positivos (28,8%), 517 negativos (70,5%) e seis animais com resultado não determinado (0,7%). Nossos resultados demonstram a exposição destes rebanhos ao parasito, sendo este o primeiro inquérito sorológico de N. caninum em bacias leiteiras de pequenas propriedades no Uruguai.

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum em pequenas propriedades leiteiras do Uruguai

Neosporosis is a worldwide disease caused by a protozoan (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae), called Neospora caninum (N. caninum). In Latin America was diagnosed in Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Peru. In Uruguay, the prevalence in dairy cattle is undetermined, with only a few reports in some areas from medium and large farmers. The main of this study was to determine the presence of serologically positive animals against N. caninum in small dairy farmers in critical context from central region of Uruguay (Departments of Durazno and Tacuarembó). Using a commercial ELISA kit, 734 sera of adult dairy cows were analyzed, resulting in 211 positive (28.8%), 517 negative (70.5%) and six animals with uncertain outcome (0.7%). The results demonstrated the exposure of cattle to the parasite, which is the first serological survey of N. caninum in basins of small dairy farmers in critical context in Uruguay.

Neosporose é uma doença de distribuição mundial causada por um protozoário (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae), denominado Neospora caninum (N. caninum). Na América Latina, o protozoário foi diagnosticado no Uruguai, Brasil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguai e Peru. No Uruguai a prevalência em rebanhos leiteiros não foi determinada, havendo somente levantamentos sorológicos de algumas regiões do país em propriedades rurais de médio e grande porte. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a presença de animais sorologicamente positivos contra N. caninum em bacias leiteiras de pequenas propriedades com baixos recursos socioeconômicos da zona central do Uruguai (Estados de Durazno e Tacuarembó). Utilizando um Kit de ELISA comercial, foram analisados 734 soros provenientes de vacas leiteiras adultas, obtendo-se 211 positivos (28,8%), 517 negativos (70,5%) e seis animais com resultado não determinado (0,7%). Nossos resultados demonstram a exposição destes rebanhos ao parasito, sendo este o primeiro inquérito sorológico de N. caninum em bacias leiteiras de pequenas propriedades no Uruguai.

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum em pequenas propriedades leiteiras do Uruguai

Neosporosis is a worldwide disease caused by a protozoan (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae), called Neospora caninum (N. caninum). In Latin America was diagnosed in Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Peru. In Uruguay, the prevalence in dairy cattle is undetermined, with only a few reports in some areas from medium and large farmers. The main of this study was to determine the presence of serologically positive animals against N. caninum in small dairy farmers in critical context from central region of Uruguay (Departments of Durazno and Tacuarembó). Using a commercial ELISA kit, 734 sera of adult dairy cows were analyzed, resulting in 211 positive (28.8%), 517 negative (70.5%) and six animals with uncertain outcome (0.7%). The results demonstrated the exposure of cattle to the parasite, which is the first serological survey of N. caninum in basins of small dairy farmers in critical context in Uruguay.

Neosporose é uma doença de distribuição mundial causada por um protozoário (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae), denominado Neospora caninum (N. caninum). Na América Latina, o protozoário foi diagnosticado no Uruguai, Brasil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguai e Peru. No Uruguai a prevalência em rebanhos leiteiros não foi determinada, havendo somente levantamentos sorológicos de algumas regiões do país em propriedades rurais de médio e grande porte. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a presença de animais sorologicamente positivos contra N. caninum em bacias leiteiras de pequenas propriedades com baixos recursos socioeconômicos da zona central do Uruguai (Estados de Durazno e Tacuarembó). Utilizando um Kit de ELISA comercial, foram analisados 734 soros provenientes de vacas leiteiras adultas, obtendo-se 211 positivos (28,8%), 517 negativos (70,5%) e seis animais com resultado não determinado (0,7%). Nossos resultados demonstram a exposição destes rebanhos ao parasito, sendo este o primeiro inquérito sorológico de N. caninum em bacias leiteiras de pequenas propriedades no Uruguai.