title: Prevalence of antibodies to Neospora caninum in stray dogs of Urmia, Iran.
abstract: To investigate anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in stray dogs living in Urmia city, 135 blood samples were collected. Serum samples were screened for detection of anti-N. caninum IgG antibodies using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT; >or=50). Antibodies were seen in 36 (27%) of 135 dogs. The IFAT antibody titers were as follows: 1:50 in 16 dogs, 1:100 in ten dogs, 1:200 in six dogs, 1:400 in one dog, 1:800 in two dogs, and 1:1,600 in one dog. There were no significant differences in seroprevalence of Neospora infection between different genders (p > 0.05). The seropositive results were increased with age and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The results confirm the presence and exposure of stray dogs to N. caninum in Urmia city and the importance of this protozoan as a cause of disease in dogs of the region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, POBOX 57153-1177, Urmia, Iran. m.yakhchali@urmia.ac.ir
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yakhchali
authors.forename: Shahram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Javadi
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morshedi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D018688:Neospora / Q000276:immunology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D007074:Immunoglobulin G