Detection of antibodies to Neospora caninum in two species of wild canids, Lycalopex gymnocercus and Cerdocyon thous from Brazil

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology Vol. 123; no. 3; pp. 275 - 277
• Main Authors: Cañón-Franco, W.A., Yai, L.E.O., Souza, S.L.P., Santos, L.C., Farias, N.A.R., Ruas, J., Rossi, F.W., Gomes, A.A.B., Dubey, J.P., Gennari, S.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 02.09.2004
• Subjects: Agglutination Tests - veterinary; Animals; Antibodies; Antibodies, Protozoan - blood; Brazil; Brazil - epidemiology; Canis familiaris; Canis latrans; Carnivora - parasitology; Cerdocyon thous; Coccidiosis - epidemiology; Coccidiosis - parasitology; Coccidiosis - veterinary; Dusicyon vetulus; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect - veterinary; Lycalopex gymnocercus; Neospora - immunology; Neospora - isolation & purification; Neospora caninum; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Wild canids; Brazil; Wild canids; Lycalopex gymnocercus; Neospora caninum; Antibodies; Brazil; Cerdocyon thous; Dusicyon vetulus
• ISSN: 0304-4017; 1873-2550
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.06.004

Domestic dog ( Canis domesticus) and the coyote ( Canis latrans) are the only known definitive hosts for the protozoan Neospora caninum that causes abortion in dairy cattle. In the present study, antibodies to N. caninum were sought in three species of wild canids, Cerdocyon thous, Lycalopex gymnocercus and Dusicyon vetulus from Brazil. Antibodies to N. caninum were assayed by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the Neospora agglutination test (NAT). N. caninum antibodies were found in five of 12 L. gymnocercus with IFAT titers of 1:50 in three, 1:100 in one, and 1:1600 in one, and NAT titers of 1:40, 1:80, 1:160, 1:320, and 1:640 in five animals. Antibodies to N. caninum were found in four of 15 C. thous with IFAT titers of 1:50 in one, and 1:100 in three, and NAT titer of 1:40 in one animal. All 30 D. ventulus were seronegative by IFAT and NAT.