Short communication Detection of antibodies to Neospora caninumin two species of wild canids, Lycalopex gymnocercus and Cerdocyon thousfrom Brazil

Domestic dog (Canis domesticus) and the coyote (Canis latrans) are the only known definitive hosts for the protozoan Neospora caninumthat causes abortion in dairy cattle. In the present study, antibodies to N. caninum were sought in three species of wild canids, Cerdocyon thous, Lycalopex gymnocercus and Dusicyon vetulus from Brazil. Antibodies to N. caninum were assayed by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the Neospora agglutination test (NAT). N. caninum antibodies were found in five of 12 L. gymnocercus with IFAT titers of 1:50 in three, 1:100 in one, and 1:1600 in one, and NAT titers of 1:40, 1:80, 1:160, 1:320, and 1:640 in five animals. Antibodies to N. caninum were found in four of 15 C. thous with IFAT titers of 1:50 in one, and