[Distribution of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in dairy cows at municipalities of Resende and Rio Claro in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]. / Distribuição de anticorpos contra Neospora caninum em vacas leiteiras dos municípios de Resende e Rio Claro, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to verify the prevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in dairy cows from municipalities of Resende and Rio Claro, both located at sulfluminense dairy belt. A total of 29 farms from Resende and 28 from Rio Claro were randomly selected. To evaluate the association between herds and animals against the etiological agent χ² tests were used. Seventy eight animals at Resende (25.74%, confidence intervals(IC) at 95% 15.7-25.8%) had anti-N. caninum antibodies, while 53 animals (20.38%, IC 21-31.1%) at Rio Claro (p=0.16). No association between positive animals in relationship to municipalities was observed. When considered properties, 26 (89.7%, IC 76, 3-94.9%) at Resende and 24 (85.71%, IC 67.3-96%) at Rio Claro had at least a positive animal. This demonstrated that anti-N. caninum antibodies were observed among dairy cows at both municipalities. In spite of abortions were observed with relative frequency in endemic areas of N. caninum, they were not observed in the present study.