title: Experimental ruminant models for bovine neosporosis: what is known and what is needed.
abstract: At present, bovine neosporosis is an important worldwide concern because of its wide geographic distribution and economic impact. Abortion is the main clinical sign of bovine neosporosis in both dairy and beef cattle. Ruminant challenge models are critical to evaluate potential vaccine candidates to help tackle bovine neosporosis and to study pathogenesis and host responses to infection. Several research groups have developed ruminant models of Neospora caninum infection independently of others, resulting in a high degree of variability due to the use of different species of animals, breeds, strains/isolates of N. caninum, doses, routes and times of inoculation. Standardization is greatly needed to advance research in a more collaborative, timely and efficient manner. In the absence of widely accepted international guidelines, this manuscript serves to summarize and discuss the different models and parameters currently in use. Parameters essential for the development of non-pregnant and pregnant ruminant models are outlined and the main knowledge gaps are identified. This information could act as the basis to develop a consensus for international standard guidelines for ruminant models of neosporosis that would be helpful for researchers in this field worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Facultad de Veterinaria,Universidad de León,Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León,Spain.
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Benavides
authors.affiliation: SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences,Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n,28040-Madrid,Spain.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Collantes-Fernández
authors.affiliation: SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences,Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n,28040-Madrid,Spain.
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ferre
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), Facultad de Veterinaria,Universidad de León,Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León,Spain.
authors.forename: Valentín
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA),7620 Balcarce,Argentina.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campero
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Veterinaria,Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco,Brazil.
authors.forename: Rinaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.affiliation: Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park,Bush Loan, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ,UK.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Innes
authors.affiliation: SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences,Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n,28040-Madrid,Spain.
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ortega-Mora
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D018688:Neospora / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012418:Ruminants; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary*