First cross-sectional serological survey on Besnoitia besnoiti in cattle in Italy

Parasitol Res. 2013 Apr;112(4):1805-7. doi: 10.1007/s00436-012-3241-y. Epub 2012 Dec 30.

Abstract

A cross-sectional serological survey was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of besnoitiosis in cattle farms located in a region of southern Italy. A geographical information system (GIS) was used in order to uniformly sample the bovine farms (n=88) throughout the entire region. Blood samples were collected from 528 autochthonous cattle and sera were tested for antibodies to Besnoitia besnoiti using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. The farm prevalence was 83.0% (73/88), and the individual animal prevalence was 44.1% (233/528). The availability of geo-referenced point or areal data on bovine besnoitiosis and the construction of prevalence maps by GIS are suggested for dissemination of information to veterinarians on this emerging infection in cattle.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cattle Diseases / parasitology*
  • Coccidiosis / epidemiology
  • Coccidiosis / parasitology
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Sarcocystidae / immunology*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan