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Are infectious reproductive pathogens of large ruminants a threat to improving food security? An investigation from Cambodia

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Abstract

In Cambodia, information on common pathogens causing reproductive losses in cattle and buffalo are lacking, despite there being a need to address livestock health to enhance food security. We analysed stored buffalo (n = 29) and cattle (n = 471) serum samples collected in 2016 using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Antibodies to Neospora caninum, bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo and Brucella abortus were detected in buffalo samples at 79.3% (95% CI 64.6–94.0), 3.4% (95% CI 0–10.0), 0% and 0%, respectively, and in cattle at 4.2% (95% CI 2.4–6.0), 6.4% (95% CI 4.2–8.6), 8.1% (95% CI 5.6–10.6) and 0%, respectively. The high N. caninum seroprevalence in buffalo was associated with increasing age, with buffalo having a 13.1% chance of being seropositive at birth, increasing to 99.4% by age 7 (p = 0.045). This suggests a predominance of horizontal transmission, possibly from exposure to faeces from free-roaming village dogs. Cattle L. interrogans serovar Hardjo seroprevalence was highest in Tbong Khmum province (20.4%) compared to other provinces (p < 0.001), and may be compromising bovine fertility and creating a zoonotic risk for smallholders who may contract leptospirosis from farm work. These high infection rates prompt further research to determine: to what extent these pathogens are linked to the low reproductive efficiency observed in large ruminants in Cambodia, the risk factors to pathogen exposure and appropriate strategies to reduce these risks. Low BVDV and B. abortus exposure is an important observation. Increasing large ruminant livestock trade into the country will require improved biosecurity and disease surveillance to prevent their emergence. An enhanced understanding of the status of infectious reproductive livestock pathogens in Cambodia can assist development projects to make evidence-based strategies to enhance cattle and buffalo health and improve food security.

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Data availability

The data that supports the findings of this study are available in the supplementary material of this article.

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Code for data cleaning and analysis in R software is available to editors and/or reviewers upon request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support and the efforts of the staff from the National Animal Health and Production Research Institute, the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences at the City University of Hong Kong for their hard work and dedication to this research.

Funding

This research was conducted within the project ‘Village-based biosecurity for livestock disease risk management in Cambodia’ (AH/2011/014), funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) with additional funding provided by the Crawford Fund.

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MPR, PAW and SS conceived the study with LO, RDB, MPR and PCT involved in the design and LO and LCW conducting the study. LO and PCT conducted the statistical analysis, LO drafted the manuscript and all authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Luisa Olmo.

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The authors confirm that the ethical policies of the journal, as noted on the journal’s author guidelines page, have been adhered to and animal ethics approval for this study was obtained from the University of Sydney Ethics Committee (project no. 2015/765) in compliance with State Acts and National Codes of Practice.

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This study did not involve human subjects.

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This study did not involve human subjects. Consent to publish data was provided by the Cambodian Government.

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Olmo, L., Reichel, M.P., Windsor, P.A. et al. Are infectious reproductive pathogens of large ruminants a threat to improving food security? An investigation from Cambodia. Trop Anim Health Prod 53, 480 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-021-02897-8

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