Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Toxoplasma and Neospora infections in dogs in Joao Pessoa Brazil
By Brasil, Arthur Willian de Lima et al.·Published in Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria·2018·Laborató·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Risk factors and anti-Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum antibody occurrence in dogs in João Pessoa, Paraíba state, Northeastern Brazil.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that 9.6% of dogs in João Pessoa, Brazil, tested positive for Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that can cause health issues. The research showed that dogs with access to streets or nearby forested areas were at a higher risk of infection. Additionally, 1.6% of the dogs were positive for Neospora caninum, another parasite that can affect dogs. To help protect your pet, it's best to limit their access to these risky environments.
People also search for: dog Toxoplasma infection symptoms · how to prevent dog parasites · Neospora caninum in dogs
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.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29846448/