Occurrence of anti-Neospora caninum and anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in horses in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of anti-Neospora caninum and anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in horses from Pantanal, in Mato Grosso state. Two hundred blood samples were collected from horses in Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The samples were analyzed by IFAT for the detection of anti-Neospora caninum and anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Antibodies to N. caninum were found in 30 (15%) of 200 horses in titers of 50 (25 horses), 100 (two horses), 200 (two horses), and 400 (one horse). Antibodies to T. gondii were found in five (2.5%) of 200 horses in titers of 50 (three horses), 200 (one horse), and 400 (one horse). One animal showed antibody titers for both coccidian (titers of 200 for N. caninum e 400 for T. gondii). The pantaneiros horses were exposed to Neospora spp. and T. gondii.