Neosporosis is an infectious disease caused by the parasite Neospora caninum. Knowledge regarding neosporosis in goats is still quite limited, especially in the state of Santa Catarina (SC), southern Brazil. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the seroprevalence and risk factors for N. caninum in goats in the western and mountain regions of SC. Blood samples were collected from 654 goats in 57 municipalities. The indirect immunofluorescence test was used for antibody detection against N. caninum. Thirty samples (4.58%) were seropositive, with titers ranging from 1:50 to 1:6400. An epidemiological survey was also conducted in order to identify risk factors for neosporosis in goats. It was found that reproductive problems on the farms, as well as the diet and direct contact with dogs were casual risks for neosporosis. These results indicate that N. caninum infects goats in these regions, which may lead to reproductive problems.

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Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation among type and size of the farms related to the management of production and especially the presence and control of parasites. Materials and methods. To accomplish the above, 65 farms were used: 56 of semi-extensive system (cows in pastures), classified as low density farms (n=15, up to 15/cows), medium density farms (n=20; between 16-30/cows) and large density farms (n=21; over 31/cows). It was also included nine farms freestall system (n=9; confinement, over 70 cows) as part of the study population. Results. In the farms visited for the study can be noticed that the farms that had the higher level of technological improvement in managements practice were properties in high level (3) and freestall (4). In most of the farms there were observed the presence of ticks and flies, regardless of density of farms. Feces samples collected from 650 cows (n=10/farm), and analyzed using McMaster showed that 191 cows were positive for parasites. The presence of antibodies in bulk milk tank occurred in 36 (55.38%; CI 95% 42-67) to Neospora caninum of the studied farms. Conclusions. We also conclude that N. caninum is present in cattle herds in Western Santa Catarina, and may be linked to reproductive problems in cows.Key words: Cow, nematodes, neosporosis, production systems (Source: CAB, MeSH). RESUMENObjetivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la relación entre el tipo y el tamaño de las fincas relacionadas con la gestión de la producción, y especialmente, la presencia y el control de los parásitos. Materiales y métodos. Para lograr lo anterior, se utilizaron 65 granjas: 56 de semi-extensivo sistema (vacas en los pastos), clasificado como granjas de baja densidad (n=15, hasta 15/vacas), las granjas de densidad media (n=20; entre 16-30/vacas) y granjas grandes densidad (n=21; más de 31/vacas). También se incluyeron nueve del sistema de granjas freestall (n=9; confinamiento, más de 70 vacas) como parte de la población de estudio. Resultados. En las granjas visitadas se pudó notar que tenían el mayor nivel de mejora tecnológica en la práctica de gestiones eran propiedades en alto nivel (3) y estabulación libre (4). En la mayoría de las granjas no se observó la presencia de