Frequency of antibodies anti-Neospora caninum in sheeps from the department of Cordoba, Colombia

Objectives. To evaluate the frequency of anti-N. caninum antibodies in two sheep herds in the department of Córdoba, Colombia. Materials and methods. The study was performed in the department of Córdoba (Colombia) in two sheep farms that had a clinical history of abortions and death of adult animals; 28 female adults of creole hair (camura) breed were sampled at random. A recombinant peptide from the parasite (NcGRA1) was used in DOT-ELISA tests and the serum was diluted 1:200. Results. This study reports for the first time in this department, and the country the anti-N. caninum in 78.6% (22/28) of the sheep sampled. Conclusions. These results confirm the Neospora caninum infection in sheep and the need for new studies linking the presence of the parasite with clinical manifestations in different regions of the country.