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Title: SEROPREVALENCE OF NEOSPORA CANINUM IN FEMALE WATER BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBLAIS) FROM THE SOUTH-EASTERN REGION OF BRAZIL

Author
item FUGII, T - INST. BIOLO. DE SAU PAULO
item KASAI, N - UNIVERSIDAD DE SAU PAULO
item NISHI, S - UNIVERSIDAD DE SAO PAULO
item Dubey, Jitender
item GENNARI, S - UNIVERSIDAD DE SAO PAULO

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/30/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Neospora caninum is a single-celled parasite of livestock and companion animals. It causes abortion in livestock and paralysis in companion animals. It is the major cause of abortion in dairy cattle in the U.S. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil report antibodies to N. caninum in 64% of 222 female water buffaloes from Brazil. This is the first survey for Neospora infection in buffaloes in Brazil. These results will be of interest to parasitologists, biologists and veterinarians.

Technical Abstract: Antibodies to Neospora caninum were assayed in sera of 222 female water buffaloes from Ribeira Valley of S o Paulo State, Brazil, using an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and Neospora agglutination test (NAT). IFAT antibodies were found in 64% of buffaloes with titers of 1:25 (42 buffaloes), 1:50 (53 buffaloes), 1:100 (31 buffaloes), 1:200 (10 buffaloes), 1:400 (3 buffaloes), or ò 1:800 (3 buffaloes). NAT antibodies were found in 53% of buffaloes; in titers of 1:40 in 52 buffaloes, 1:80 in 27 buffaloes, 1:160 in 21 buffaloes, and ò 1:320 in 17 buffaloes. Results indicate a high prevalence of N. caninum exposure in water buffaloes in Brazil and warrant an investigation of the role of N. caninum as an abortifacient in water buffaloes.