Seroprevalence of Infectious Agents by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay in Reproductive-Age Cows from the High Andean Region of Peru

The status of infectious diseases in herds from the High Andean region has not been monitored despite these are frequently associated with losses in productive and reproductive efficiency of cattle. The seroprevalence of infectious agents with reproductive implications in cattle from the High Andean districts of Peru, using ELISA was determined. A total of 361 blood samples were collected to detect antibodies against Brucella spp. (BR), Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), bovine viral diarrhea virus (VDVB), bovine leukemia virus (BLV), bluetongue virus (BTV), bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV), and Neospora caninum (NC). The highest seroprevalence were 18.28% BHV and 6.93% NC, with a similar trend at the sector and herd levels. BHV was predominant in Cotaruse and Oropesa (p<0.01) and NC in Oropesa and San Jerónimo (p<0.01). Diseases explained 42.4% of the variability, predictor heterogeneity was observed, and no association was found between seropositivities. The district was a risk factor for BHV and NC, although the 95% CI for BHV indicates a higher range of uncertainty. Environmental conditions and management practices could explain the relatively low seroprevalence rates in High Andean region; however, strengthening surveillance against IBR and bovine neosporosis is imperative to prevent risks of acute or subclinical infections.