Investigation of infectious reproductive pathogens of large ruminants: Are neosporosis, brucellosis, leptospirosis and BVDV of relevance in Lao PDR?

- Neospora caninum antibodies were detected at high rates in buffalo and low rates in cattle.
- Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo antibodies were detected at higher rates in cattle than buffalo.
- Antibodies against bovine viral diarrhoea virus and Brucella abortus were detected at low rates.
- Exposure to these pathogens may be linked to animal transit pathways and smallholder farmer practices.

N. caninum, bovine viral diarrhoea virus, Brucella abortus and Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo are globally significant reproductive pathogens that cause abortion and reproductive loss in large ruminants. Prevalence information is lacking in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) despite the poor reproductive performance of cattle and buffalo. Serological examination of frozen cattle (n = 90) and buffalo (n = 61) sera by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays provided the first reported screening of some of these pathogens in Laos. Seroprevalence differed amongst these large ruminant species, with N. caninum, BVDV and L. interrogans serovar Hardjo antibodies found in 68.9% (95% CI ± 11.6), 4.9% (95% CI ± 5.4) and 3.3% (95% CI ± 4.5) of buffalo sera, respectively, and in 7.8% (95% CI ± 5.5), 10.0% (95% CI ± 6.2) and 22.2% (95% CI ± 8.6) of cattle sera, respectively. Buffalo sera had a significantly higher seroprevalence of N. caninum compared to cattle (p < 0.001) and cattle sera had a significantly higher seroprevalence of L. interrogans serovar Hardjo compared to buffalo (p = 0.003). Variability was also observed across provinces for N. caninum in buffalo (p = 0.007) and for L. interrogans serovar Hardjo in cattle (p = 0.071), suggesting provincial risk factors conducive to pathogen transmission. BVDV and N. caninum seropositivity were negatively associated in buffalo (p = 0.018) and cattle (p = 0.003). In buffalo, L. interrogans serovar Hardjo and BVDV seropositivity were associated (p = 0.035, p = 0.039). The identification of antibodies against three major abortifacient pathogens in Laos prompts further research to determine if infection is associated with low reproductive efficiency and the risk factors for infection. This is needed for the development of evidence based prevention strategies for improved large ruminant reproductive management among smallholders in Laos.