ABSTRACT
The prevalence of antibodies anti-Neospora caninum in bovines was determined in 21 farms from Anápolis and Goiânia microregions, in Goiás, Brazil. Out of these 11 were dairy farms (Holstein and crossbred Holstein-Zebu), nine had beef cattle (Nelore) and one was for mixed exploitation (Simental). Blood samples were collected from 930 animals, and sera obtained were separated and stored at -20 degrees C. Serum samples were examined by the immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFAT), using tachyzoites of the NC-1 Neospora caninum strain as antigen. Antibodies anti-N. caninum were found in 283 (30.4%) of the 930 blood samples examined. All the farms were positive, with prevalence for N. caninum varying from 10.3% to 89.7% of the examined animals. The prevalence for beef herds was 29.6% (10.3% to 89.7%), for dairy herds 30.4% (14.5% to 83.3%), and for the mixed herd, the prevalence was 43.3%. No statistically significant differences were found among prevalence in animals from beef, dairy or mixed herds. Results confirmed that N. caninum is widespread in different types of bovine herds in the micro regions of Anápolis and Goiânia.
