Seroprevalence of antibodies to Neospora caninum in dogs in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.
This study investigated occurrences of antibodies to anti-Neospora caninum in dogs in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, and the risk factors associated with the infection. To investigate antibodies against N. caninum, an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) was used. To identify risk factors associated with infection by N. caninum, univariate analyses on variables of interest were conducted. The study analyzed 237 samples from dogs of both sexes and different breeds and ages, both from rural and from urban areas. Ten animals (4.2%) were seropositive: five (4.8%) from rural areas and five (3.8%) from urban areas. Regarding sex, five (4.0%) were male and five (4.5%) were female. In relation to breed, four animals of undefined breed and six of defined breed were positive. The ages of the seropositive animals ranged from two months to eleven years. Results show there are no significant associations between seropositivity and the variables analyzed. Results indicate neosporosis must be included in differential diagnosis of dog neurological disorders.
Laboratório de Bacterioses, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil.
Maria Evódia
ME
de Sousa
Wagnner José Nascimento
WJ
Porto
Pedro Paulo Feitosa
PP
de  Albuquerque
Orestes Luiz
OL
de Souza Neto
José Wilton
JW
Pinheiro Júnior
Rinaldo Aparecido
RA
Mota
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018688:Neospora / Q000276:immunology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan