title: Coyotes (Canis latrans) are definitive hosts of Neospora caninum.
abstract: Four captive-raised coyote pups consumed tissues from Neospora caninum-infected calves. Faeces were examined from 4 days before to 28 days after infection. One pup shed N. caninum-like oocysts, which tested positive for N. caninum and negative for Hammondia heydorni using PCR tests. Coyotes are the second discovered definitive host of N. caninum, after dogs. In North America, the expanding coyote ranges and population increase the probability of contact with domestic livestock. To reduce the risk of transmission of N. caninum to intensively farmed cattle, we recommend protection of feedstuffs using canid-proof fences, and careful disposal of dead stock.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, 2001 South Lincoln Avenue, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
authors.forename: Luis F P
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Gondim
authors.forename: Milton M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Pitt
authors.forename: Doris E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Zemlicka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002335:Carnivora / Q000469:parasitology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000469:parasitology*; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D018688:Neospora / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D033661:Oocysts; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods