Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle and dogs from the Agreste region of the State of Paraíba

ABSTRACT

Among the protozoa of veterinary importance, Neospora caninum is responsible for large economic and productive losses in cattle herds, with dogs being considered the definitive hosts of the parasite. The objective of this research was to study the prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies and the infection risk factors in dairy cattle and dogs in the Gado Bravo municipality of the Agreste region in Paraíba State, Brazil. Blood sera from 220 cows and 20 dogs were used, altogether obtained from a total of 21 farms. For detection of the anti-N. caninum IgG antibodies, the indirect immunofluorescence reaction was performed. Sera that reacted at dilutions of 1200 and 150 for the cows and dogs, respectively, were considered positive. The analysis of risk factors was performed with the variables most associated with N. caninum infection, obtained by epidemiological questionnaire. The prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies was 12.27% among the cows and 57.14% on rural properties where at least one cow was positive. Among the dogs studied, a prevalence of 25% was observed. The non-vaccination of dogs against viruses, leptospirosis, or giardiasis was considered a risk factor associated with seroprevalence for N. caninum infection (odds ratio = 9.33). Therefore, it can be concluded that dairy cattle and dogs from rural properties in the Agreste region are very likely exposed to the infection caused by N. caninum.