Evaluation of Neospora caninum-Associated Abortion in a Seroepidemiological Study of Cattles Using IFAT Method

Abstract

Background: Neospora caninum is a cyst forming coccidian parasites and one of the important factors in abortion of cows and neurologic disease in dogs around the world. This study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of N. caninum in dairy cows of Tabriz city using immunofluorescence method and related risk factors. Methods: In this study conducted in 2018, 100 samples from industrial cattle farms and 100 samples from traditional cattle farms of Tabriz were randomly collected. By fixing tachyzoites cultured in a culture medium, the kit was prepared in this study and the slides were examined by fluorescence microscopy (Zeiss). The results obtained in relation to the study variables (type of farming system, age, contact with dogs, and abortion history) were analyzed using SPSS software and chi-square test. Results: Neospora caninum antibodies were detected in 33 samples (16.5%). The relationship of positive serums with abortion and contact with dogs was significant statistically (P<0.05). Conclusions: Due to the significant relationship of infection rate in cows with abortion history and contact with dogs, further studies are needed to determine the exact role of Neospora in abortion of cows.