Seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis in the dog population of Ibiúna, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dogs seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa) and the risk factors associated with seropositivity in the dog population of Ibiúna, São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 570 animals were examined in the 48 neighborhoods of the city from September 2007 to March 2008. Serological diagnosis of T. gondii and N. caninum infections was performed using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), with endpoint titers of 1:64 for T. gondii and 1:50 for N. caninum. Of the 570 animals examined, 314 (55.1%; 95% CI = 50.9?59.2%) were seropositive for T. gondii and 40 (7.02%; 95% CI = 5.1?9.4%) for N. caninum. The variables presence of rodents (OR = 2.05), ingestion of raw meat (OR= 2.47), and prior sexual activity (OR = 1.79) were identified as risk factors for toxoplasmosis, whereas only prior sexual activity (OR = 3.29) was associated with an increased risk for neosporosis. Both T. gondii and N. caninum infections were detected by IFA in the dog population of Ibiúna. Rodent control and not feeding raw meat to dogs are important to reduce the risk of infection by T. gondii and N. caninum in the region.