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Anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in dogs with and without neurological signs

Authors :
Silvana Marques Caramalac
Simone Marques Caramalac
Bets-Saba Naate Naumann Cerqueira Leite
Pablo Menegon Castilho
Ana Flávia Minutti
Thais Agostinho Martins
João Luis Garcia
Luiz Daniel de Barros
Felipe Gazza Romão
Mariana Isa Poci Palumbo
Source :
Ciência Rural, Vol 53, Iss 9 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 2023.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the association between neurological signs as well as plausible risk factors and the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in dogs of the Campo Grande region of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. In this study, the dogs were divided into two groups based on the presence and the absence of neurological signs (n=30 in each group). Serological diagnosis was performed using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. In the group with neurological disorders, 23.3% and 30% of the dogs had anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies, respectively. Moreover, three dogs from this group showed co-infection with both protozoa. In the group without neurological signs, 16.7% and 13.3% of the dogs were seropositive for T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. Although presence of neurological signs was not associated with T. gondii and N. caninum infections (P = 0.747 and P = 0.21, respectively), there was a statistical association between T. gondii seropositivity and peripheral neurological alteration (P = 0.016) among dogs with neurological signs. Raw meat ingestion was the only risk factor associated with the presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies (P = 0.041). Results revealed evidence of exposure to N. caninum and T. gondii in dogs irrespective of the presence of neurological signs. Moreover, this study highlighted the need for serological investigation of T. gondii in dogs with disturbances in peripheral nervous systems and not offering raw meat to animals to avoid the risk of N. caninum infection.

Details

Language :
English, Portuguese
ISSN :
16784596, 01038478, and 77059794
Volume :
53
Issue :
9
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Ciência Rural
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.6ba2fb8d916d4857b143f8c770597942
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20220133