Prevalence and risk factors associated with Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cattle in the state of Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine the prevalence ofTritrichomonas foetusinfection and to evaluate risk factors associated with this infection among cattle in the state of Paraíba in northeastern Brazil. Samples of cervicovaginal mucus from 290 females and smegma from 59 males [beef, 31; mixed aptitude (beef and dairy), 10; and dairy, 18] from 31 farms were collected. Modified Diamond’s medium and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used for the laboratory diagnosis ofT. foetusinfection. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were performed to test for potential risk factors in addition to prevalence mapping. No sample was positive forT. foetusin culture, and the prevalence ofT. foetusinfection using PCR was 3.7% (13/349) [confidence interval (CI) 95%, 2.1%–6.4%]. In total, 19.3% (6/31) of the farms had at least one animal positive forT. foetus. The contact of females with males from other farms [Odds ratio, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.5–22.4;p= 0.009] was identified as a risk factor forT. foetusinfection. This study demonstrates thatT. foetusinfection is prevalent among dairy cows in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Sexual resting, removal of positive females, and avoiding contact of females with males from other farms are recommended to reduce the risk of infection.