Seroprevalence of Besnoitia besnoiti infection and associated risk factors in cattle from an endemic region in Europe.

ABSTRACT

Bovine besnoitiosis, caused by the parasite Besnoitia besnoiti, is a chronic, debilitating disease with both cutaneous and systemic clinical signs that has re-emerged in Europe. This is the first random cross-sectional prevalence study of B. besnoiti infection in cattle carried out in an endemic area in Europe (Navarra, Spain). Dairy (n = 372) and beef (n = 340) cattle >1 year of age were randomly blood sampled. Serum was evaluated using a validated ELISA. True animal prevalence data were restricted to beef cattle (16.0%). The prevalence significantly increased with age and seropositive animals were mostly located in mountainous areas where the disease is endemic. Breed and sex were not found to be risk factors.