Abstract

Background:
Neospora caninum belongs to the subphylum Apicomplexa (phylum Alveolata) and is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that has been described as a causative agent of neuromuscular paralysis in dogs and as a major cause of bovine abortion worldwide but with limited knowledge regarding the presence of N. caninum-infected dogs in Chile.

Aim:
In this study, N. caninum seroprevalence and risk factors were investigated in dogs from Valdivia Province, Los Ríos Region, Southern Chile.

Methods:
For the study, 164 serum samples from dogs were collected, comprising 108 samples from dogs inhabiting rural areas and 56 from urban areas. The samples were analyzed using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to detect the presence of N. caninum-specific antibodies.

Results:
In total, 24.4% (40/164) of dogs were seropositive with a titer of 1:50. A greater seropositivity for N. caninum was observed in rural dogs versus urban dogs, with a seroprevalence of 28.7% (31/108) and 16.1% (9/56), respectively. Age was revealed to be a risk factor for seropositivity for N. caninum, affecting dogs ≥3 years old (p

Key words: Canine neosporosis; Parasite; IFAT; Risk factors; Dogs.