title: 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 × 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]  =  12.03). This was also observed at the individual level (OR  =  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.
authors: Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire d'Alger, Algiers, Algeria. fghalmi@yahoo.fr
authors: Farida
authors: F
authors: Ghalmi
authors: Bernard
authors: B
authors: China
authors: Rachid
authors: R
authors: Kaidi
authors: Bertrand
authors: B
authors: Losson
mesh_terms: D037881:Aborted Fetus / Q000469:parasitology; D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D000462:Algeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D018688:Neospora / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan