Freqüência de cães reagentes para Neospora caninum em São Luís, Maranhão / Frequency of Neospora caninum in dogs from São Luís, Maranhão

ABSTRACT

The frequency of antibodies to Neospora caninum (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in dog sera was investigated. Blood samples from 100 mongrel dogs, captured in the streets of São Luís, State of Maranhão, were analized using imunofluorescent antibody test. Forty five percent of the dogs were positive, and the titers ranged from 1:50 to 1:800. No sex difference was observed for frequency of N. caninum (60 percent in males and 40 percent in females). This is the first report of antibodies to N. caninum in dogs from Maranhão.