ABSTRACT

Neospora caninum is a protozoal agent causing abortion and infertility problems in dairy cattle. The objective of the present study was to detect the seroprevalence of N.caninum in dogs and its co-existence with Toxoplasma gondii in some rural and urban regions of Kırıkkale province. A total of 121 blood samples were examined with indirect immunoflorescent antibody test to detect the presence of N.caninum IgG antibodies. The seropositivity of N.caninum was 28.9% in dogs. The seropositivity rate was higher in male dogs than that of females (p<0.05). The seropositivity rate of N.caninum was 36.5% and 20.7% for pure breed and mongrel dogs, respectively (p> 0.05). There was no significant difference amongst the age groups and location of the dogs (rural or urban) (p>0.05). The N.caninum positive serum samples were also examined for the presence of antibodies for T.gondii by Sabin-Feldman Dye test in order to identify the possible serological co-infection, 1/16 and higher titres were evaluated as positive. According to test results, 19 out of 35 N.caninum seropositive dogs (54.3%) showed T.gondii seropositivity.

Keywords: Neospora caninum, seroprevalence, Toxoplasma gondii, dog