title: Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in slaughtered native cattle in Kurdistan province, Iran.
abstract: Neospora caninum is a worldwide distributed pathogen which causes abortion in cattle leading to economic loss in the cattle industry. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum antibodies in the native cattle slaughtered in various areas of Kurdistan province (western Iran) from September 2010 to September 2011. Serum samples from 368 cattle slaughtered in seven slaughterhouses in this region were taken for detection of anti-N. caninum antibodies using commercial N. caninum ELISA kit. Antibodies to N. caninum were found in 29 samples (7.80%). The present study was the first report of Neospora infection in this region and indicated that native cattle of Kurdistan province were exposed to this parasite.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Para-Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran;
authors.forename: Heidar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heidari
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Para-Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran;
authors.forename: Abdolmajid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohammadzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Central Veterinary Laboratory, Iranian Veterinary Organization, Hamedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Jamal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gharekhani
keywords: Cattle; Iran; Kurdistan; Neospora caninum; Seroprevalence