Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of infections due to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum and corresponding risk factors among dogs attended at veterinary clinics in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 384 dogs that were attended at 34 veterinary clinics between April 2015 and May 2016. These two agents were diagnosed through the indirect immunofluorescence reaction (IFAT). Among the 384 animals evaluated, 37 (9.6%) were positive for T. gondii, with titers ranging from 16 to 512. Six dogs (1.6%) were positive for N. caninum, with titers of 50 to 200. Access to the streets (OR = 4.60; 95% CI = 1.74-12.20) and environments close to forested areas (OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.32-5.93) were found to be risk factors for T. gondii infection. The dogs attended at veterinary clinics in João Pessoa are exposed to infections caused by T. gondii and N. caninum. Dog owners should avoid having access to the street or contact with forest environments.
Highlights
The interrelations among animals, humans and the environment have intensified over recent decades, which has been causing a variety of ecological imbalances
The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of infections due to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum and corresponding risk factors among dogs attended at veterinary clinics in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, northeastern Brazil
The dogs attended at veterinary clinics in João Pessoa are exposed to infections caused by T. gondii and N. caninum
Summary
The interrelations among animals, humans and the environment have intensified over recent decades, which has been causing a variety of ecological imbalances. From a public health point of view, these changes have taken on great. Cats and dogs are the definitive hosts of T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. Transmission of these parasites takes place through ingestion of oocysts that are eliminated from the feces of the definitive hosts; through ingestion of tissue cysts that are present in the musculature of infected animals; and through the transplacental route (DUBEY, 2003, 2010). Even though dogs are not definitive hosts for T. gondii, they have an important role in mechanical dissemination of the agent (LINDSAY et al, 1997)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
