First confirmed case of Neospora caninum-associated abortion outbreak in Portugal.
In a dairy herd experiencing an abortion outbreak, 49% of the 119 cows were positive for Neospora caninum antibodies and the remaining 51% were seronegative. Using immunohistochemical analysis of foetal brain tissue, Neospora cysts and bradyzoite clusters were identified in two of the 15 aborted foetuses submitted for testing. Other agents that commonly cause abortions were not found. These results, coupled with neurological clinical symptoms in new-born calves, implicated N. caninum as the major cause of abortions in this dairy herd. This is the first report that associates N. caninum infection with bovine abortions in Portugal.
Thompson
G
G
The Abel Salazar Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Porto, Portugal.
Canada
N
N
do Carmo Topa
M
M
Silva
E
E
Vaz
F
F
Rocha
A
A
D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D018688:Neospora / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan