Serological detection of Ostertagia ostertagi antibodies in cattle in Mosul city.

BACKGROUND

Ostertagia ostertagi is considered a great epidemic gastroenteric roundworm that affects cattle in temperate regions and places a central limitation on cattle productivity. This fact is supported by numerous reports.

AIM: This study was carried out to detect specific antibodies against O. ostertagi in cow's milk and investigate the epidemiology of this parasite and its spread in the cows of Mosul city.

METHODS

Milk samples were separately obtained from 200 cows. The animals suffered from emaciation, weight loss, and watery green diarrhea. Milk was centrifuged at 1,500 rpm for 10 minutes, and the sediment was discarded while the supernatant was stored at -20°C until analysis. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to detect antibodies against O. ostertagi.

RESULTS

Among 200 animals, 115 were infected with O. ostertagi, resulting in a total infection rate of 57.5%. The infection rate increased significantly with the age of the animals, with the highest infection rate recorded in animals aged up to 6 years, 82.5% (p < 0.001). The relationship between infection with O. ostertagi showed a significant seropositivity rate of infection in native animals, 69.9% (p < 0.001), compared with imported animals (37.7%). Outdoor animals had a high prevalence of infection with O. ostertagi (70.2%), whereas indoor animals had the lowest prevalence. Some animals were treated with anthelmintic drugs, whereas others were not. Therefore, the animals that were not treated with any anthelmintic drugs showed a high prevalence of infection (64.9%).

CONCLUSION

The infection by O. ostertagi is affected by different parameters, including the age of the animal and breeding management. Moreover, in Mosul city, the infected cows showed more seropositivity to parasites than the unaffected cows.