A Serological Investigation of Some Aetiological Agents Associated with Abortion in Domestic Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis Linneaus, 1758) in Samsun Province of Northern Turkey

In Turkey, there is a lack of information about the frequency and aetiology of abortions in water buffalo breeding. The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) occupies an economically important place in Samsun province. Reproductive disorders like infertility and abortions in water buffalo are important problems in the livestock industry. In this study, the presences of Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), Bovine herpes virus-1 (BHV-1), Neospora caninum and Brucella abortus were investigated serologically in 82 domestic water buffaloes in Samsun province of northern Turkey. Seropositivity rates for BVDV, BHV-1, N. caninum and B. abortus were found to be 68.3% (56/82), 80.5% (66/82), 28% (23/82) and 2.4% (2/82), respectively. This preliminary study, therefore, indicates for the first time that neosporosis and brucellosis exist in domestic water buffaloes and may contribute, either individually or in association with other agents to abortions in water buffalo breeding.