Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the South American opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) from the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

ABSTRACT

Antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii were assayed in sera of 396 opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) from the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Antibodies to N. caninum were assayed using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies (IFAT, approximately 125) to N. caninum were found in 84 opossums (D. marsupialis) in titers of 125 in 46, 150 in 20, 1100 in 17, and 1400 in 1. Antibodies to T. gondii were assayed with the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the IFAT. Antibodies to T. gondii (MAT, approximately 125) were found in 82 (20.4%) of the 396 opossums, in titers of 125 in 24, 150 in 26, 1100 in 18, 1200 in 13, and 1800 in 1. The IFAT antibodies to T. gondii were found in 148 of 396 opossums, in titers of 116 in 41, 132 in 23, 164 in 13, 1128 in 6, 1256 in 20, 1512 in 17, 11,024 in 10, 12,048 in 10, 14,096 in 7, and 18,192 in 1. This is the first report of N. caninum and T. gondii infections in D. marsupialis.