Protracted shedding of oocysts of Neospora caninum by a naturally infected foxhound.
Feces from 15 dogs at 2 different foxhound kennels in the U.K. were examined microscopically for the presence of oocysts of Neospora caninum. One sample containing approximately 400 candidate oocysts per gram was positive in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using N. caninum-specific primers. In a sample taken 4 mo later from the same hound. N. caninum oocysts were again detected visually and by PCR. This is the third reported case of a dog naturally excreting oocysts of N. caninum and suggests that oocyst excretion can occur over a relatively long period of time in some circumstances or that reshedding may occur.
McGarry
J W
JW
Veterinary Parasitology Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK. j.w.mcgarry@liverpool.ac.uk
Stockton
C M
CM
Williams
D J L
DJ
Trees
A J
AJ
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000469:parasitology; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000469:parasitology; D018688:Neospora / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D033661:Oocysts / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D013997:Time Factors