<i>Neospora caninum</i>antibodies in dairy cows and domestic dogs from Vojvodina, Serbia

Abstract

Neospora caninum, the causative agent of neosporosis, is a protozoan parasite responsible for high rate of abortion in cattle worldwide. In dogs, consequences of infection vary from severe neuromuscular disorders to asymptomatic infection and shedding of environmentally resistant oocysts. In this study, we determined the occurrence of N. caninum antibodies in dairy cattle and dogs in Vojvodina (Northern Province of Serbia) and possible risk factors. N. caninum antibodies were found in 15.4% (55/356, CI 95%:12.0-19.6) of cows and 17.2% (17/99, CI 95%: 10.8-26.2) of dogs. Cows from smallholdings showed significantly greater odds (OR = 5.28, CI 95%: 2.0-13.6, p = 0.0006) of being seropositive in comparison to the farm cows. Epidemiological importance of results is discussed.