Molecular detection of bovine leukosis virus in naturally infected dairy and dual-purpose cattle in Mexico.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of bovine leukosis virus (BLV) in specialized and dual-purpose dairy cows located in the central zone of Veracruz state in Mexico, using endpoint polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The study population consisted of 307 specialized dairy cows and 95 dual-purpose cows from 13 municipalities located in the study area. All cows were apparently healthy and ≥ 3 years old. Cows were stratified by age (3 - 5, 6 - 8 and ≥ 9 years). The overall prevalence of infection was 6.96%; the calculated prevalence in dairy cows was 7.82% and in dual-purpose cows it was 4.21%. The municipality with the highest proportion was Acajete (14.28%), followed by Huatusco and Tomatlán (11.53%). The association analysis confirms the infection's independence to the cows' productive purpose. The results by age strata were 3 - 5 (4.60%), 6 - 8 (8.00%) and ≥ 9 (18.40%) with X2 = 9.96, with an odds ratio of 4.68 for the stratum ≥ 9 years with a significant difference. The present study determined the prevalence of proviral DNA of BLV in dairy and dual-purpose cows in six municipalities in the central zone of Veracruz state, Mexico, using endpoint PCR.

Spatial distribution models of seroreactive sheep to Leptospira spp. in Veracruz, Mexico.

Leptospirosis is an infectious zoonotic disease of special importance in tropical regions of the world and is closely related to climatic conditions. In Mexico, at least eight Leptospira serogroups are known to affect sheep, but little is known about their distribution. The aim was to analyse the spatial distribution of seroreactive sheep to eight serogroups of Leptospira spp. through ecological niche modelling from the state of Veracruz. We carried out a cross-sectional, multistage, and stratified epidemiological study, sampling 405 sheep in different regions of the state (north, center, and south). The sera were analysed using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) to identify seropositivity to eight Leptospira serogroups (Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, Grippotyphosa, Canicola, Pomona, Hardjo, Wolffi, and Tarassovi). Management variables in the sampled herds were evaluated through a survey among the producers, which was analysed using the chi-squared test for cross-tabulation. Geospatial modelling was conducted using MAXENT and 19 climatic variables, and validation was carried out using the area under the curve (AUC). No positive animals were found for Pomona in any area of Veracruz, and there was only one case of seroreactivity to Grippotyphosa. The total seroprevalence found was 53.83% (95% confidence interval [CI] 48.84-58.75). The main serogroup found was Sejroe (55.31%, 95% CI 50.32-60.20%), followed by Canicola (8.64%, 95% CI 6.17-11.92%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (4.69%, 95% CI 2.93-7.36%), Tarassovi (3.95%, 95% CI 2.35-6.47%), Pyrogenes (2.47%, 95% CI 1.26-4.64%), Australis (0.99%, 95% CI 0.32-2.69%), and Grippotyphosa (0.25%, 95% CI 0.01-1.59%). The predictive model for Australis was not significant. Acceptable predictive models (AUC > 0.7-0.8) were found for Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pyrogenes, and Tarassovi, while for Sejroe, it was excellent (AUC > 0.85); consequently, the climatic variables that most contributed to the model were those related to precipitation. The potential distribution of Pyrogenes, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Canicola was located to a greater extent in the three regions; Pyrogenes and Tarassovi were distributed mostly in the north and central regions, and Sejroe was mostly located in the center and south of the state. Ecological niche modelling could support epidemiological control and surveillance programs for affected sheep herds in the state of Veracruz.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep of Veracruz State, southeast Mexico.

Toxoplasma gondii is widely prevalent in sheep and their products pose a risk to public health. The aim of this study was to identify the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in sheep in Veracruz State, Mexico. The study was cross-sectional and it was carried out in thirteen municipalities distributed in three regions of Veracruz State. A total of 414 blood samples were collected from four districts of Veracruz State and analyzed for T. gondii antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total seroprevalence was 35.90% (149/414; 95.00% CI = 31.40-40.80). Seroprevalence by the municipality was 10.50% to 85.70% and for the district was 28.80% to 47.80%, respectively. Age, breed and productive status were identified as risk factors associated with T. gondii infection significantly. The infection by T. gondii is widely present in the districts of the Veracruz State with a high seroprevalence and risk factors associated with infection.

[Epidemiology of caprine brucellosis in the Central Zone of the State of Veracruz]. / Epidemiología de la brucelosis caprina en la Zona Centro del Estado de Veracruz.

INTRODUCTION: Brucellosis is a disease of high morbidity that affects several animal species, is transmitted to humans and, therefore, is a zoonosis. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. In this study we aim to determine seroprevalence, risk factors, and spatial distribution of caprine brucellosis in 14 municipalities in the central region of the state of Veracruz. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-stratified multistage study was conducted between 2009 and 2012. It included 572 animals of 81 production units selected by consensus according to the value tables of ​​Cannon and Roe. The diagnosis was by Card Testing and Radial Immunodiffusion. The seroprevalence was determined with the VassarStats® risk factor program and odds. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence was 0.52% (95% CI: 0.13-1.65) and production units 2.47% (95% CI: 0.43-9.46). They were identified as risk factor for infection, production units in feedlot system and Card Testing seroconversion to vaccine against brucellosis; and as a protective factor, vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Seroprevalence and distribution of goat brucellosis is low, the intensive system is a risk, and according with the Health Ministry in order that human cases are scarce.