Presença de anticorpos lgG anti-Neospora caninum e anti-Toxoplasma gondii em búfalas criadas no estado do Pará, Brasil

Abstract

With the objective to investigate the incidence of seroreactivity of buffalo cows sera for Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii, blood samples were collected from 401 buffalo cows originated from 15 production units located in 14 counties of the state of Para. The serum samples were subjected to indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The serum dilutions used in this test were 1:200 and 1:64 as cut off points for Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii, respectively. In addition, an indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) was used to detect antibodies anti-N. caninum. Three hundred and seventy four samples were tested for anti-N. caninum IgG antibodies, whereas 401 samples were tested for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, making use of IFA as diagnostic method against both protozoan parasites. In another analysis, 315 samples were tested for anti-N. caninum IgG antibodies by an indirect ELISA. Among the serum of the buffalo cows tested, 153 (40,91%) were reactive (≥ 1:200) against N. Caninum, four animals (1%) were reactive (≥ 1:64) against T. gondii, and one buffalo cow (0,27%) was reactive against the two protozoan parasites in the IFA. In the ELISA test, 53 buffalo cows (16,82%) were reactive. The high incidence of anti-N. caninum IgG antibodies found shows that this parasite can be circulating between buffalo cows raised in the state of Para. Although the incidence of anti-T. Gondii IgG antibodies found was low, this parasite can also be present in the properties where buffalos are raised in the state of Para. Thus, both protozoan parasites can represent a risk for the public health and a source of infection for other animals, as well as a possible cause of reproductive illnesses in this species.