Seroprevalence and risk factors for Neospora caninum in goats in Santa Catarina state, Brazil

Neosporosis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Neospora caninum. Knowledge regarding neosporosis in goats is still quite limited, especially in the state of Santa Catarina (SC), southern Brazil. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the seroprevalence and risk factors for N. caninum in goats in the western and mountain regions of SC. Blood samples were collected from 654 goats in 57 municipalities. The indirect immunofluorescence test was used for antibody detection against N. caninum. Thirty samples (4.58%) were seropositive, with titers ranging from 1:50 to 1:6400. An epidemiological survey was also conducted in order to identify risk factors for neosporosis in goats. It was found that reproductive problems on the farms, as well as the diet and direct contact with dogs were casual risks for neosporosis. These results indicate that N. caninum infects goats in these regions, which may lead to reproductive problems.

新孢子虫病是由犬新孢子虫（Neospora caninum）引发的传染性寄生虫病。目前学界对山羊新孢子虫病的认知仍较为有限，在巴西南部圣卡塔琳娜州（Santa Catarina，SC）这一状况尤为突出。为此，本研究旨在评估圣卡塔琳娜州西部与山区山羊感染犬新孢子虫的血清阳性率及其风险因素。研究人员从57个市镇的654只山羊身上采集了血液样本，采用间接免疫荧光试验（Indirect Immunofluorescence Test）检测犬新孢子虫特异性抗体。结果显示，共计30份样本（占比4.58%）呈血清阳性，抗体滴度范围为1:50至1:6400。本研究同时开展了流行病学调查，以明确山羊新孢子虫病的潜在风险因素。经分析发现，养殖场的繁殖障碍问题、日粮结构以及与犬只的直接接触，均为该病的关联风险因素。上述结果表明，上述区域的山羊已受到犬新孢子虫感染，这可能会引发相关繁殖问题。