Abstract

BRAGA, Maria do Socorro Costa de Oliveira et al. Occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cats with outdoor access in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. Rev. Bras. Parasitol. Vet. [online]. 2012, vol.21, n.2, pp. 107-111. ISSN 1984-2961.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612012000200007.

The present study aimed to investigate the frequency of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cats with outdoor access in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. The presence of IgG anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies was tested using the Indirect Immunofluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT). IgG anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected in 101 (50.5%) and 54 (27%) sampled cats, respectively. The titers of anti-T. gondii antibodies ranged from 40 (cut-off) to 2560. On the other hand, the titers of anti-N. caninum antibodies ranged from 25 (cut-off) to 400. Twenty-seven cats (13.5%) were shown to be seropositive for both parasites. Seventy-four cats (34%) were seropositive only for T. gondii. Twenty-two cats (11%) were seropositive only for N. caninum. The present study showed that cats with outdoor access in São Luís, Maranhão, are exposed to T. gondii and N. caninum.

Keywords : Toxoplasma gondii; Neospora caninum; cats; serology.