Bovine hypodermosis is highly prevalent in Kazakhstan: Results of a first serological study

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recent information on the occurrence of bovine hypodermosis in Kazakhstan is limited to the results of a few clinical studies in the northern and eastern regions. A first serological study aimed to obtain more data on its geographical distribution and to estimate the prevalence in this country. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples collected from 891 dairy cows on 30 dairy farms in eight Kazakh provinces during the winter season 2015/2016 were examined for antibodies to Hypoderma spp. first-stage larval antigen using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IDEXX Bovine Hypodermosis Serum Antibody Test). RESULTS: Overall, 73.6% (95% confidence interval: 70.6%–76.5%) of the cows sampled were seropositive for Hypoderma, and antibody-positive cows were found in 28 of 30 farms and in seven of eight provinces. CONCLUSION: The results suggest a high prevalence of bovine hypodermosis in Kazakhstan, for which the socioeconomic changes in agriculture and village life following the country’s independence are considered to be responsible.