ABSTRACT
Serum samples from 169 water buffaloes and 121 beef cattle were analyzed for antibodies to T. gondii by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Positive results were obtained in 27.2% of water buffaloes and 17.4% of cattle. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences between the prevalence in cattle and buffalo (p ≤ 0.05). The highest titres found in positive animals were 1:256 (buffaloes) and 1:64 (cattle). In both bovine species, toxoplasmosis frequency in young animals (less than 2 years old) was lower compared to older individuals, although the differences seen in cattle were not statistically significant.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Protozoan/blood , Buffaloes , Toxoplasma/immunology , Toxoplasmosis, Animal/epidemiology , Animals , Brazil/epidemiology , Cattle , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Serum/immunologyABSTRACT
Serum samples from 339 dogs from rural (beef and dairy farms) and urban areas of Municipality of Pelotas, RS, were tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test to verify the presence of antibodies anti-Neospora caninum. Data from dogs took part of an epidemiologic questionnaire to identify possible risk factors associated with the seropositivity. Antibodies anti-N. caninum were found 15.6% (53/339) of serum samples, with 5.5% (6/109) of positive dogs from urban area and 20.4% (47/230) from rural area. The analysis multivariate of the risk factors in showed that rural dogs have 3.5 times more chance of contact with the parasite than urban dogs. Dogs with more than 3-years old have a greater risk (OD = 4.1) to be positive for N. caninum than dogs with less than 3-years. Rural dogs from beef farms presented greater risk (OD = 2.8) to be positive when compared with dogs from dairy farms. Seropositivity rate increased 2.2 times in farms which the carcasses of dead animals and aborted fetus were not appropriately removed. N. caninum is present in the southern region of the Rio Grande do Sul, infecting urban and rural dogs.
