Title of article :
Molecular and Serological Evaluation of Neospora caninum Infec-tion in Dogs from a Rural Setting in Fars Province, Southern Iran
Author/Authors :
HARIRI, Morvarid Department of Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , AREFKHAH, Nasir Cellular and Molecular Research Center - Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran , GHORBANI, Fariba Department of Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , NAMAVARI, Mehdi Shiraz Branch - Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute - Agricultural Research - Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Shiraz, Iran , OMIDIAN, Mostafa Department of Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran , SARKARI, Bahador Department of Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract :
Dogs, as the definitive host of Neospora caninum, are important in the epidemiology of this parasitic infection. We aimed to determine the prevalence of N. caninum infection in a dog population from a rural setting in Fars Province, Southern Iran, using a combination of molecular and serological techniques.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Nov 2018 in three rural districts, Sar Mashhad, HosseinAbad, and Tolesaman located in Kazeroun Township in Fars province, southern Iran. Blood samples were taken from 60 stray and household dogs. Dogs’ sera were tested for antibodies against N. caninum, using a Neospora-Modified Agglutination Test. Moreover, dogs’ buffy coats were tested for Neospora DNA, using a molecular method.
Results: Anti-Neospora antibodies were detected in sera of 4 out of 60 dogs, corresponding to a seroprevalence rate of 6.7%. Out of 25 female dogs, 1 was seropositive and of 35 males, 3 were seropositive, yet the differences were not statistically significant. The infection was more prevalent in adult dogs (> 12 months), nevertheless, the differences between age and Neospora seropositivity was not statistically significant. N. caninum DNA was not detected in the buffy coat of any of the studied dogs.
Conclusion: Findings of the study indicate that N. caninum is a common infection in dogs in rural areas of Fars province in southern Iran. The infected dogs might be a potentially important source of N. caninum infection to livestock in the area.
Keywords :
Iran , Dogs , Neospora caninum , Seroprevalence
Journal title :
Iranian Journal of Parasitology (IJP)