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Antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats from Brazil

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Abstract

The occurrence of antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii was determined in 400 domestic cats (Siamese, Persian, and undetermined breeds) from the Municipality of Araçatuba, Sao Paulo, Brazil, through the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Of the 400 cats, 100 were seropositive to T. gondii (25%, titer ≥64) and 98 to N. caninum (24.5%, titer ≥16). The rate of seropositive cats for T. gondii was correlated with age (χ 2=35.7; p<0.001), with a higher number of infected animals at older ages. Of the 219 cats younger than 1-year-old, 13.2% were seropositive for T. gondii, while 39.2% were positive in the 181 older animals. The presence of N. caninum was also correlated with age (÷2=8.8; p<0.01), with 18.7% (41/219) and 31.5% (57/181) of positive animals at ages below and above 12-month, respectively. An association between the occurrences of both protozoa in the felines was also observed (χ 2=19.6; p<0.001).

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Acknowledgement

We extend our gratitude to FUNDUNESP for the financial support. S. M. Gennari was a recipient of a fellowship from the National Research Council (CNPq, Brazil).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Apoio, Produção e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Odontologia, UNESP—Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rua Clóvis Pestana, 793, CEP 16050-680, Araçatuba, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    K. D. S. Bresciani, A. C. M. Serrano, L. G. Franco & S. H. V. Perri

  2. Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    S. M. Gennari, A. A. R. Rodrigues & T. Ueno

  3. Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, CEP 18618-000, Brazil

    A. F. T. Amarante

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  1. K. D. S. Bresciani
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  2. S. M. Gennari
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  3. A. C. M. Serrano
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  4. A. A. R. Rodrigues
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  5. T. Ueno
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  6. L. G. Franco
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  7. S. H. V. Perri
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  8. A. F. T. Amarante
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Correspondence to K. D. S. Bresciani.

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Bresciani, K.D.S., Gennari, S.M., Serrano, A.C.M. et al. Antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats from Brazil. Parasitol Res 100, 281–285 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-006-0262-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-006-0262-4

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