Prevalence of anti-N. caninum and anti-N. hughesi antibodies in horses and associated risk factors in two selected equine zones of Punjab, Pakistan

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Neospora (N.) caninum and anti-N. hughesi antibodies in horses and to appraise the associated risk factors in the two central districts (Jhang and Toba Tek Singh) of Punjab Province, Pakistan. A total of 300 horse sera were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to Neospora spp. using a competitive ELISA. The overall prevalence of antibodies against Neospora species in horses was 25 % (75/300; 95 % CI 20.1–29.9). The prevalence of antibodies to N. caninum and N. hughesi species was 12.3 % (37/300; 95 % CI 8.6–16) and 19.3 % (58/300; 95 % CI 14.8–23.8), respectively. Out of 300 sera samples, 6.7 % (20/300; 95 % CI 3.9–9.5) were screened positive for both Neospora spp. The statistical analysis showed that age, reproductive complications history of mares, the presence of dogs on the farm, and regular deworming practices were the key contributing factors towards Neospora seropositivity in horses. The pregnancy status of the mares was also identified to be a significant risk factor particularly for N. caninum seropositivity, as indicated by odds ratio. The gender of the animals was not observed as a potential risk variable for Neospora antibodies in horses. This study suggests that horses in Pakistan are vulnerable to infection by this protozoan parasite which possesses potential to negatively impact the reproductive performance, requiring pragmatic diagnostic and control measures to prevent its spread on horse farms.