Water buffalo act as reservoirs for infectious diseases in mixed livestock systems

Water buffalo exhibit low mortality rates and high resistance to pathogens. They are less susceptible to developing diseases common in other bovids; however, they are susceptible to various bacterial agents and hemoparasites. Although buffalo are relatively resistant to the clinical form of many diseases, they can serve as reservoirs for various pathogens, facilitating their spread to other susceptible species, which is particularly relevant in a One Health perspective. This review compiles information on economically important infectious diseases affecting buffalo herds, including bacterial infections (brucellosis, tuberculosis, paratuberculosis, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, etc.), vector-borne diseases (anaplasmosis, babesiosis, theileriosis, trypanosomiasis), neosporosis, and toxoplasmosis, among others. To this end, a systematic review was conducted, analyzing 180 articles from scientific databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and SciELO. The inclusion criteria were studies focused on different bacterial and parasitic etiological agents reported to affect water buffalo. The review findings indicate epidemiological trends of increasing involvement of water buffalo in the circulation of infectious diseases in mixed livestock systems. Water buffalo can act as a reservoirs and sources of interspecific transmission, especially given their due to the frequency of subclinical infections and proximity to cattle. These findings highlight the need to include this species in surveillance and health management programs. However, gaps remain in research on specific epidemiology and there is a lack of systematic studies. The increasing global expansion of buffalo production and the associated risks to animal and public health underscore the importance of conducting evidence-based studies to strengthen disease control and prevention strategies.