Spatial and temporal epidemiology of bovine trichomoniasis and bovine genital campylobacteriosis in La Pampa province (Argentina)

Abstract

The venereal diseases bovine trichomoniasis (BT) and bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BCG) cause economic losses in endemic areas like La Pampa province in Argentina, where beef cattle are usually managed extensively. This study used data compiled under a Provincial Programme for the Control and Eradication of BT and BGC (PCE) to determine the spatio-temporal distribution of these diseases and identify spatial clusters. The study population comprised 29,178 non-virgin bulls drawn from 3766 herds, tested for BT and BGC in 2010. Preputial smegma samples were cultured for BT detection, while BGC was diagnosed by direct immunofluorescence testing of these samples. Campylobacter fetus infection was detected in 1.5% of bulls and 2.3% of herds, and Tritrichomonas foetus infection was found in 1.1% of bulls and 5.1% of herds. The proportion of positive tests was highest in February for BT, while in April it was highest for BCG, and was inversely related to the number of tests, which was greatest during the breeding season (spring). An elliptical spatial cluster of high risk for BGC and a circular cluster for BT were both identified in the south of La Pampa province, which could not be explained by cattle herd density. The spatial and temporal patterns identified in this study provide baseline data for monitoring the success of BT and BGC control activities in La Pampa.