Neospora caninum Is Associated With Abortion In Algerian Cattle

Abstract

Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. However, little information is available for Algeria. Accordingly, 799 cattle from 87 farms in the north and northeast of Algeria were enrolled in a seroepidemiological survey. An indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) revealed a seroprevalence of 19.6%. The animals were divided into 3 groups according to their breed: imported European cattle, local breeds, and crossed animals (European 3 local). Seroprevalences were 16.0%, 34.3%, and 18.6% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. A case control study was performed to investigate the link between global seropositivity to N. caninum and abortion risk in those cattle farms. There was a significant (P , 0.01) association between the seroprevalence against N. caninum and the occurrence of abortion in those farms (odds ratio [OR] 5 12.03). This was also observed at the individual level (OR 5 2.79). The analysis of results according to the breed revealed a significant association between seroprevalence and abortion in groups 1 and 3, but not for group 2, despite the fact that the highest seroprevalence was observed in group 2. Cerebral tissues from 5 aborted fetuses were available for histology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One sample was found positive both by histology and by PCR, 2 samples were positive by PCR only, and 2 samples were negative in both tests.

Reproductive disorders in relation toNeospora caninum, Brucellaspp. and bovine viral diarrhoea virus serostatus in breeding and dairy farms of central and southern Ethiopia

“…Published information from Africa emphasizes the importance of all these diseases in this continent [11,[19][20][21]. However, in Ethiopia, documentation on the status of BVDV is limited to a single published report [22], and there is no information available on N. caninum in Ethiopian cattle.…”

Prevalence of Neospora spp. in donkeys in China

“…Dogs, the definitive hosts of Neospora , play an important role in the transmission of N. caninum , discharging oocysts into the environment [ 16 , 20 , 22 ], which is a main risk factor for the occurrence of miscarriages and stillbirths associated with N. caninum in ruminants and other intermediate hosts [ 2 , 3 , 12 ]. Not surprisingly, the donkeys have a significantly higher seroprevalence when they have contact with dogs compared to those without contact ( p < 0.001, OR = 2.69, 95%CI: 1.86-3.88).…”

Secreted effectors inToxoplasma gondiiand related species: determinants of host range and pathogenesis?

“…Experimental infection suggests that there is a low rate of abortion in cattle upon T. gondii infection and that this rate increases with T. gondii strains that are typically more virulent in mice . Surveys of aborted calves show a strong association with N. caninum infection, but no association with T. gondii infection , and herds with high abortion rates tend to have a high rate of N. caninum infection . Experimental infection of pregnant cattle shows that N. caninum infection during early gestation is likely to cause abortion ; however, virulence among isolates does vary, and less virulent isolates do not appear to cause abortion .…”