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Title: PREVALENCE OF NEOSPORA CANINUM ANTIBODIES IN DOGS FROM DAIRY CATTLE FARMS IN PARANA, BRAZIL

Author
item DE SOUZA, A - UNIVERSIDAD DE SAO PAULO
item GUIMARAES, J - UNI. ESTAU. DE LONDRINA
item FERREIRA, F - UNIVERSIDAD DE SAO PAULO
item Dubey, Jitender
item GENNARI, S - UNIVERSIDAD DE SAO PAULO

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/2/2002
Publication Date: 4/6/2002
Citation: De Souza, A.L., Guimaraes, J.S., Ferreira, F., Dubey, J.P., Gennari, S.M. 2002. Prevalence of neospora caninum antibodies in dogs from dairy cattle farms in parana, brazil. Journal of Parasitology 88:408-409.

Interpretive Summary: Neospora caninum is a single-celled parasite of livestock and companion animals. It causes abortion in cattle and paralysis in companion animals. Dogs are the main reservoir of its infection. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and the University of Sao Paulo found antibodies to N. caninum in 21.6% of 134 dogs from 22 dairy cattle farms in nParana State of Brazil. These results will be of interest to parasitologists veterinarians and dairy farmers.

Technical Abstract: Serum samples from 134 dogs from 22 cattle dairy farms in the northern region of Parana State, Brazil, were tested for antibodies to Neospora caninum in an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Antibodies (ò1:50) to N. caninum were found in 29 (21.6%) of 134 dogs and seropositive dogs were present on 14 (63.6%) of 22 dairy cattle farms. The antibody titers of dogs were 1:50 (3 dogs), 1:100 (7 dogs), 1:200 (7 dogs), 1:400 (6 dogs) an ò1:800 (6 dogs). The low prevalence (9%) in <1-yr-old versus 2 to 3-fold higher prevalence in older dogs (17-29%) suggests post-natal exposure to N. caninum infection.