Prevalencia de anticuerpos séricos bovinos contra Neospora caninum en las zonas Central y Sur del Golfo de México

Objective. To determine the prevalence of antibodies against Neospora caninum (PSA) in beef and dual-purpose cattle from the Central and Southern Gulf of Mexico regions, as well as to evaluate its association with the reproductive status (RS) of the cow (pregnant, not pregnant). Materials and methods. Blood samples were taken from 422 cows. Antibodies were detected with a commercial ELISA kit. PSA was analyzed with a logistic regression model that included state, township nested within state, and ranch nested within township. Results. The states of Tabasco, Puebla and Veracruz had similar PSA (p>0.05). The mean PSA for the three states was 24.0%. The PSA varied from 7.8 to 43.3% across townships. In Puebla, the PSA in cattle from San José Acateno township was more than two-fold greater than that in cattle from Hueytamalco and Nauzontla townships (p0.05) PSA. In Veracruz, cows from Cotaxtla and Medellín de Bravo townships presented higher (p0.05) to that of seronegative females. Conclusions. The three states had similar PSA. All the herds had antibodies against N. caninum, suggesting that this parasite is amply distributed in the three states. In addition, great variation existed among herds and among townships; finally, the presence of N. caninum antibodies was not associated with the RS of the cow. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de anticuerpos contra Neospora caninum (PAS) en bovinos carne y doble propósito de las zonas Central y Sur del Golfo de México, así como evaluar su asociación con el estatus reproductivo (ER) de la vaca (gestante, no gestante). Materiales y métodos. Se colectaron muestras de sangre de 422 vacas. Los anticuerpos se detectaron con una prueba comercial de ELISA. La PAS se analizó con un modelo de regresión logística que incluyó estado, municipio anidado en estado, y rancho anidado en municipio. Resultados. Los estados de Tabasco, Puebla y Veracruz tuvieron similar PAS (p>0.05). La PAS promedio de los tres estados fue 24.0%. La PAS varió de 7.8 a 43.3% entre municipios. En Puebla, la PAS en los bovinos del municipio de San José Acateno fue más de dos veces mayor que en los bovinos de los municipios de Hueytamalco y Nauzontla (p0.05) PAS. En