Seroprevalence and associated factors with Neospora caninum infection in sheep and goats slaughtered in the state of Paraíba, Brazil

• Published in: Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria Vol. 32; no. 4; p. e012423
• Main Authors: Batista, Samira Pereira, Silva, Samara Dos Santos, Sarmento, Wlysse Ferreira, Mota, Rinaldo Aparecido, Feitosa, Thais Ferreira, Vilela, Vinícius Longo Ribeiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária 01-01-2023; Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Brazil - epidemiology; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Coccidiosis - epidemiology; Coccidiosis - parasitology; Coccidiosis - veterinary; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Goat Diseases - epidemiology; Goat Diseases - parasitology; Goats - parasitology; Neospora; Neosporosis; PARASITOLOGY; semi-arid; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Sheep; Sheep Diseases - epidemiology; Sheep Diseases - parasitology; small ruminants; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis, Animal - parasitology; VETERINARY SCIENCES; Brazil; pequenos ruminantes; small ruminants; semi-arid; semiárido; Neosporose; Neosporosis
• ISSN: 0103-846X; 1984-2961; 1984-2961
• DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612023068

The objective was to describe the seroprevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in goats and sheep slaughtered in the state of Paraíba and to identify possible associated factors with the infections. Two hundred twenty-nine samples from goats and two hundred five from sheep were analyzed by Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction (IFAT) using a cutoff point of 1:50. The presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies was identified in 28.4% (65/ 229; 95% Confidence Interval: 22.6-34.2) of the goat samples and in 12.7% (26/ 205; 95% CI: 8.2 - 17.2) of the sheep samples. Contact between goats and dogs (Odds ratio 4.81; CI 1.13 - 2.67; p = 0.041) and cattle (OR. 1.87; CI 1.13 - 2.67; p = 0.002) was identified as a risk factor for goats and contact between sheep and dogs (OR 2.32; CI 1.58 - 3.14; p = 0.026) and history of abortion (OR 1.94; CI 1.28 - 2.90; p = 0.001) was considered a risk factor for sheep. The study revealed a high seroprevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies in slaughtered goats and sheep in Paraíba. Risk factors such as contact with dogs/cattle and abortion history underscore the need for preventive measures to control infection and enhance animal health management.