Study of the risk factors associated with Neospora caninum seroprevalence in Algerian cattle populations.

Bovine abortions due to Neospora caninum infection were reported worldwide. The situation in Algeria was unknown. For the evaluation of the prevalence of N. caninum and its associated risk factors, 799 cattle belonging to 87 farms of the north and northeast of Algeria were analyzed. The cattle were divided into imported cattle, local cattle and improved cattle corresponding to breeding between imported and local cattle. Sera were examined for the presence of N. caninum antibodies by indirect fluorescence antibody test. The overall seroprevalence for the 87 farms was 52.87% (41.28-62.71%). The overall animal seroprevalence was 19.64% (16.82-22.45%). The seroprevalence of N. caninum in local cattle (34.28%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than in modern (16.04%) and improved (18.64%) cattle. The risk factors analysis indicated that cattle population, geographical location, dog presence, season, global farm hygiene or the presence of abortion were significantly associated with seroprevalence.