Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in dairy and beef cattle in Paraguay.
Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in 879 beef and dairy cattle in different locations of Paraguay was determined by an ELISA. In the survey, 262 (29.8%) cattle were positive to N. caninum, and animals with anti-Neospora antibody titre were observed in all the locations tested in the country. Serum samples taken from a herd that exhibited persistent abortion had the highest percentage of animals being positive to the parasite (17/30, 56.7%). In the same herd, abortion was significantly more likely in animals with high anti-Neospora antibody titre. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the banding pattern from positive Paraguayan cattle was similar to that seen with the positive control sample. In conclusion, N. caninum infection is present among Paraguayan beef and dairy cattle, and it may be an important cause of bovine abortion in Paraguay.
Osawa
Takeshi
T
Moredun Research Institute, International Research Centre, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 OPZ, UK. osawa@iwate-u.ac.jp
Wastling
Jonathan
J
Acosta
Ladislao
L
Ortellado
Carlos
C
Ibarra
Julio
J
Innes
Elisabeth A
EA
D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000469:parasitology; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D018688:Neospora / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010239:Paraguay / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan