High occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in dogs from the microregion of Pajeú, Sertão of the state of Pernambuco

Abstract The study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections among dogs from the microregion of Pajeú, Sertão, state of Pernambuco. Blood samples (n = 247) of dogs apparently healthy were collected through puncture of cephalic vein and serum evaluated using the Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). Risk factors were calculated using univariate analysis and logistic regression. We determined the spatial distribution of seroreactive animals through maps created using the QGIS software. The overall seroprevalence was 61.54% (152/247) and 64.78% (160/247) for T. gondii and N. caninum , respectively. Of the animals tested, 40.89% (101/247) were seroreactive for both protozoa. The presence of ectoparasites (ticks and fleas) (OR = 0.53; 0.2850–0.9931) and hunting behavior (OR = 0.45; 0.2115–0.9415) were considered risk factors for anti- N. caninum antibodies. Age ≥ 5 and < 10 years old (OR = 1.94; 1.0301–3.6655) and crossbreed (OR = 2.35; 1.0935–5.0652) were risk factors for seropositivity for both pathogens. Seroreactive animals were distributed heterogeneously across the microregion of Pajeú. The high occurrence of anti- T. gondii and anti- N. caninum antibodies in the dog population indicate previous exposure to these pathogens. Therefore, preventive measures should be promoted to mitigate the risk of animal and human infection.