Serological evidence of Neospora caninum infections in goats from La Rioja Province, Argentina

A serological survey of Neospora caninum was carried out in 1594 goats from 94 herds in La Rioja province, Argentina. An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was performed and serological titers ≥1:50 were considered positive. Data regarding to sex and age were available and associations with serostatus were tested. Antibodies to N. caninum were detected in 106 goats (6.6%) and 50 (53.2%) herds have at least one seropositive animal. There was association between sex and serostatus (P = 0.037) being higher in males compared with females. No association was found when animals were grouped according to age (≤1 years; 1–4 years; ≥4 years) (P = 0.69). This is the first report of N. caninum exposure in goats from Argentina. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.