Molecular Detection of Neospora caninum in Infected Dogs of Isfahan, Iran

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of N. caninum in stool samples of one hundred sheltered and Indoor dogs in Isfahan province, Iran, by using the PCR method. It is believed that cattle infected by N. caninum, with acute or chronic forms, represent a higher risk of abortion than non-infected cows. The zoonosis aspects of Neosporosis is under investigation and infection with N.caninum in human is not reported yet. We collected Ninety stool samples from mixed shelter dogs of an animal shelter and ten more stool samples from Indoor dogs with the average age of 1-3 years old in districts of Isfahan province, Iran. The samples were selected randomly and examined by the PCR technique to analyze the extracted DNA from stool samples, and statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS software. Out of 90 mixed breeds sheltered dogs whose stools were examined by using PCR, 22 samples were positive (16 female dogs and six male dogs). The results of the PCR test were negative in Indoor dogs. The highest presence of N. caninum in stray/sheltered female dogs compared to male and Indoor dogs was found. In this research by the first time, we determined that the prevalence of Neospora caninum is comparatively high in dogs from Isfahan and the middle parts of Iran.