Open Access
Research (Published online: 25-02-2022)
27. The first study on seroprevalence and risk factors of Neospora caninum infection in pregnant local cows from Northeast Algeria
Besma Abdeltif, Safia Tennah, Salima Yamina Derdour, Asma Temim, Houda Boufendi and Farida Ghalmi
Veterinary World, 15(2): 442-448

Besma Abdeltif: Research Laboratory Management of Local Animal Resources, Higher National Veterinary School, El Alia, Oued Smar, 1615, Algiers, Algeria.
Safia Tennah: Research Laboratory Management of Local Animal Resources, Higher National Veterinary School, El Alia, Oued Smar, 1615, Algiers, Algeria.
Salima Yamina Derdour: Research Laboratory Management of Local Animal Resources, Higher National Veterinary School, El Alia, Oued Smar, 1615, Algiers, Algeria.
Asma Temim: National Center for Biotechnology Research, Ali Mendjli New Town, Constantine, Algeria.
Houda Boufendi: National Center for Biotechnology Research, Ali Mendjli New Town, Constantine, Algeria.
Farida Ghalmi: Research Laboratory Management of Local Animal Resources, Higher National Veterinary School, El Alia, Oued Smar, 1615, Algiers, Algeria.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.442-448

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Article history: Received: 22-09-2021, Accepted: 19-01-2022, Published online: 25-02-2022

Corresponding author: Besma Abdeltif

E-mail: b.abdeltif@etud.ensv.dz

Citation: Abdeltif B, Tennah S, Derdour SY, Temim A, Boufendi H, Ghalmi F (2022) The first study on seroprevalence and risk factors of Neospora caninum infection in pregnant local cows from Northeast Algeria, Veterinary World, 15(2): 442-448.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Neospora caninum is one of the most common infectious organisms worldwide that causes abortion in cattle. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have focused on N. caninum infection in the local Atlas brown cattle from Northeast Algeria. This study aimed to assess the importance of bovine neosporosis for causing abortion in Atlas brown cattle and to identify selected risk factors.

Materials and Methods: A case-control study was performed on 60 control farms and 30 case farms. We collected 650 blood samples from 650 pregnant cows from 90 farms in five Algerian provinces; Jijel, Skikda, Annaba, El-Tarf, and Souk- Ahras. Sera samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies against N. caninum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Results: The seroprevalence of N. caninum infection in the cows was 36.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32.7-39.8) and in the farms was 81.1% (95% CI: 73.0-89.2). Risk factors found by multivariable logistic regression included: Presence of dogs (odds ratio [OR] 4.7, 95 CI 2.9-7.3); age ≥84 months (OR 4.9, 95 CI 2.8-8.3); Jijel region (OR 2.2, 95 CI 1.1-4.5); white (OR 2.5, 95 CI 1.4-4.4) and gray (OR 2.5, 95 CI 1.4-4.5) coat; moderate (OR 2.30, 95 CI 1.4-3.8) and bad (OR 3.1, 95 CI 1.8-5.3) hygiene; and second (OR 2.5, 95 CI 1.4-4.4); and last (OR 2.3, 95 CI 1.3-4.2) stage of pregnancy. Our case-control study showed no significant association between seropositivity of N. caninum and abortion at the farms level (OR 0.9, 95 CI 0.3-2.7). Similarly, there was no significant association between seropositivity of N. caninum and abortion at the individual level (OR 0.8, 95 CI 0.6-1.2).

Conclusion: This is the first study of N. caninum infection in pregnant local cows from Northeast Algeria. The prevalence rate of antibodies against N. caninum was high. Almost all risk factors studied for infection were significantly associated with seroprevalence. Our analysis showed no relation between N. caninum infection and abortion. Consequently, these local cows are resistant to abortion caused by N. caninum.

Keywords: Algeria, Neospora caninum, pregnant cattle, seroepidemiology.