risk factors involved in transmission of toxoplasma gondii and neospora caninum infection in rabbit farms in northern italy

[b]Introduction and objective.[/b] In Italy, rabbits are frequently reared for meat production. The aim of the study was to find the seroprevalence of [i]T. gondii[/i] and [i]N. caninum[/i] parasites, and risk factors of infection in rabbit farms. [b]Material and methods[/b]. Blood samples from 260 apparently healthy breeding rabbits were collected on 13 commercial farms in Northern Italy. Rabbits were divided into categories according to age, number of births, breed, province and size of farm. Samples were tested for antibodies to [i]T. gondii[/i] and [i]N. caninum[/i] using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT); samples with a titre ≥ 50 were considered positive. [b]Results.[/b] Antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum were found in 38 (14.6 %) and 3 (1.2 %) rabbits, respectively. A statistically significant difference (p-value ≤ 0.05) was found only in [i]T. gondii [/i]prevalence among different rabbit breeds and provinces. Conclusion. Rabbits from Northern Italy are at risk of [i]T. gondi[/i]i and [i]N. caninum[/i] infection; however, it is lower compared to seroprevalence noted in other animal species or in humans.