SEROPREVALENCE OF NEOSPORA CANINUM IN DOGS

Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasitic protozoa that seriously impacts economic performance of diary and beef industries by causing abortion in cattle. Likewise, it is considered as a cause of severe neuromuscular disease in dogs around the world. Since canine neosporosis has not yet been properly investigated in Serbia,the aim of our work was to determine seroprevalence of N. caninum antibodies in a group of dogs from one region of Vojvodina (Serbia) and to evaluate the importance of the age as a possible risk factor for higher seropositivity to N.caninum in dogs. For this purpose, sera from 31 dog from territory of Krčedin and Vršac were examined using indirect fluorescent antibody test. All sera were screened at 1:50 dilution and positive samples were then titrated in two-fold dilution series to the respective endpoint (1:100). Our findings showed that 12,9% of tested dogs was positive to N. caninum antibodies, but no statistically important association between seroprevalence and the age of the dogs was discovered.