Abortion Due to Neospora caninum in Dairy Cattle in Southern Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Background: Neosporosis is a cosmopolitan disease known as the main infectious cause of abortion in cattle, reported in several states in Brazil. The transplacental transmission in cattle is responsible for perpetuating the disease in the herd. In the state of Santa Catarina, previous studies on this protozoan in cattle are mostly serological surveys. To increase information about this reproductive disorder, this work describes the diagnosis of abortions due to Neospora caninum in dairy cattle from state of Santa Catarina and the follow-up for 4 years in a farm affected by neosporosis.Case: From 2015 to 2019, necropsy was performed on 10 aborted bovine fetuses, between fifth and eighth month of pregnancy, with 1 fetus aborted in 2015, 3 in 2016, 2 in 2017 and, 4 in 2019, all originating from the same dairy property in the southern region of state of Santa Catarina. No macroscopic lesions were found. Histopathology revealed mild to moderate multifocal mononuclear necrotizing encephalitis in 5 fetuses, and multifocal mild mononuclear myositis and myocarditis in 4 and 3 fetuses, respectively. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using primers based on the Nc-5 gene was positive for N. caninum in five fetuses. Three visits were performed in the farm for epidemiological evaluation and blood samples collection for IgG antibodies anti-N. caninum (IFAT). The total herd was 170 Jersey, Holstein and crossbred cattle, raised in a semi-confined system with mechanical milking system. Since 2014, there has been a significant increase in abortions cases, approximately 20 cows had abortions; in the year 2015, approximately 10; in 2016, less than 5; in 2017, 4 cows aborted; in 2018, 11 abortions and, in 2019, there were 4 abortions. An increase in the rate of return to estrus was also reported, and both primiparous and multiparous cows had reproductive disorders. Abortions were recorded throughout the year and occurred predominantly between the fourth and sixth month of pregnancy. In 2016, an Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction (IFAT) was performed on sera from 26 cows (13 with a history of reproductive disorders and another 13 without disorders). Of these, 50.0% (13/26) were seropositive, with titers ranging from 100 to 1600 (cutoff ≥100). The Enzyme Immunoassay (ELISA) of the entire herd was carried out in 2017, with 26.54% (43/162) of seropositivity, 8.02% (13/162) suspect, and 30.4% (17/56) had reproductive disorders. It was observed that only animals born on the property were used for replacement, there was less possibility of direct contact between dogs on the property with milking facilities, placental and fetal remains, properly disposing of these, incinerating or burying. Thirty animals were discarded from the property, 25 of which had reproductive disorders. All young female daughters of seropositive cows remained on the property for replacement. During the evaluation period, all dogs were eliminated.Discussion: In this study, the diagnosis of neosporosis was made through epidemiology, histopathological lesions characterized by mononuclear encephalitis, myocarditis and myositis, and detection of the agent by PCR, associated with serological techniques. The lesions observed are indicative of N. caninum infection and are compatible with lesions observed in other studies. Serological screening is important to complement the diagnosis of abortion by N. caninum and to help control the agent in herds. From this report it is concluded that N. caninum is an important agent of reproductive disorders in cattle in the southern region of Santa Catarina, the different serological analyzes showed a good screening index for the inclusion of control strategies. In addition, the monitoring of reproductive rates of affected properties becomes necessary over the years, allowing better observation of control strategies.Keywords: reproductive disorder, fetal death, protozoan, parasitology.Descritores: distúrbio reprodutivo, morte fetal, protozoário, parasitologia.

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Simulating the impact of four control strategies on the population dynamics of Neospora caninum infection in Swiss dairy cattle

Preventive Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.prevetmed.2006.07.007 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 77 (3-4) ◽

pp. 254-283 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Barbara Häsler ◽

Katharina D.C. Stärk ◽

Heinz Sager ◽

Bruno Gottstein ◽

Martin Reist

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Caninum Infection ◽

The Impact

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Modelling and Analyzing the Potential Controls for Neospora caninum Infection in Dairy Cattle Using an Epidemic Approach

Complexity ◽

10.1155/2021/5529987 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Yue Liu ◽

Ioannis Magouras ◽

Wing-Cheong Lo

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Geometric Approach ◽

Equation System ◽

Control Measures ◽

Caninum Infection ◽

Reproduction Numbers ◽

Disease Free

Neospora caninum (N. caninum) infection, one of the major causes of abortions in dairy cattle, has brought a huge loss to farmers worldwide. In this study, we develop a six-compartment susceptible-infected model of N. caninum transmission which is later reduced to a two-equation system. Potential controls including medication, test-and-cull, and vaccination are proposed and analyzed, and the corresponding reproduction numbers are derived. The conditions for the global stabilities of disease-free and endemic equilibria are investigated with analytical solutions and geometric approach. Furthermore, uncertainty and sensitivity analysis shows that three control strategies are effective towards the varied environment, whereas the effectiveness of each measure highly depends on parameters related to control actions. Dynamics of reproduction numbers illustrate that disease elimination can be achieved by three types of controls: (1) adopting medication with medicine efficacy higher than 0.4 to prevent vertical transmission, (2) implementing test-and-cull with culling coverage larger than 0.3, and (3) taking vaccine with coverage larger than 0.1. Numerical results suggest that preventive measures should at least include the prevention of access of other hosts, such as dogs, to cattle; otherwise, these control measures will lose effectiveness. Our presented study provides guidance for decision-making on N. caninum infected farm management.

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Occurrence of abortions induced by Neospora caninum in dairy cattle from Santa Catarina, southern Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612017051 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 292-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Cesar Augusto Barbosa de Macedo ◽

Madlaine Frigo Silveira Barbosa de Macedo ◽

Ana Carolina Miura ◽

Alessandra Taroda ◽

Sergio Tosi Cardim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

High Frequency ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Santa Catarina ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

Polymerase Chain

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of N. caninum associated with abortions of dairy cattle from Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood from dairy cows that aborted along with intrathoracic fluid and tissue samples (brain, heart, liver, and lung) from their fetuses were collected and used for serology; PCR, histopathological, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) evaluations were also conducted. Twenty-one cows (51.2%) out of 41, and eight fetuses (26.7%) out of 30 were ELISA (HerdCheck, IDEXX) positive for N. caninum. Dams > 36 months of age had a higher risk of being serum positive than younger animals. PCR and IHC revealed that 38.8% (14/36) and 25.0% (9/36) of the fetuses were positive for N. caninum, respectively for each of the tests. Seropositive cows had a higher frequency of fetuses that were also positive by either intrathoracic fluid, PCR, or IHC. In summary, the present study observed a high frequency of N. caninum in abortions from dairy cows from southern Brazil, with a higher N. caninum prevalence found in cows that were older than 36 months. In addition, serology, PCR, and IHC should be used all together for better diagnosis of neosporosis in cattle.

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Evidence of Neospora caninum exposure among native Korean goats (Capra hircus coreanae)

Veterinární Medicína ◽

10.17221/7824-vetmed ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 59 (No. 12) ◽

pp. 637-640 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

BY Jung ◽

SH Lee ◽

D. Kwak

Keyword(s):

Neospora Caninum ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Integrated Control ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Capra Hircus ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Caninum Infection ◽

One Year ◽

And Control

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that causes abortion in ruminants, including goats. The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum in native Korean goats (Capra hircus coreanae). A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to analyse 464 serum samples for the presence of N. caninum antibodies. Four samples (0.9%, 95% confidence intervals – CI: 0.0–1.7) were found to be positive for N. caninum antibodies. The seroprevalence was analysed according to age (less than to one year, young; more than or equal one year, adult; and unknown), sampling season (April to September, warm; October to March, cold), and region (northern, central, and southern). However, there were no statistically significant differences in seroprevalence according to age, season, and region (P > 0.05). This is the first report on the seroprevalence of N. caninum in native Korean goats. The results of this study indicate a nationwide distribution of N. caninum among goats, with a relatively low prevalence. Therefore, the implementation of integrated control strategies as well as measures for prevention and control of N. caninum infection among goats is recommended.

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Prevalence of Neospora caninum infection in Australian (NSW) dairy cattle estimated by a newly validated ELISA for milk

Veterinary Parasitology ◽

10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.06.019 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 142 (1-2) ◽

pp. 173-178 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

C.A. Hall ◽

M.P. Reichel ◽

J.T. Ellis

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Caninum Infection

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Neospora caninum infection dynamics in dairy cattle

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-012-2891-0 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 111 (2) ◽

pp. 717-721 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Marcelo Piagentini ◽

Carla Fredrichsen Moya-Araujo ◽

Nereu Carlos Prestes ◽

Izidoro Francisco Sartor

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Caninum Infection ◽

Infection Dynamics

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Neospora caninum infection does not affect early pregnancy in dairy cattle

Theriogenology ◽

10.1016/j.theriogenology.2003.11.002 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 62 (3-4) ◽

pp. 606-613 ◽

Cited By ~ 67

Author(s):

F López-Gatius ◽

M Pabón ◽

S Almerı́a

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Early Pregnancy ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Caninum Infection

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Risk factor analysis associated with Neospora caninum in dairy cattle in Western Brazilian Amazon

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-296120201088 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Poliana de Jesus Souza Venturoso ◽

Osvaldo Juliatti Venturoso ◽

Gisele Glomba Silva ◽

Maerle Oliveira Maia ◽

Rute Witter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Fluorescent Antibody ◽

Antibody Test ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Present Survey ◽

Caninum Infection ◽

Factors Associated ◽

And Control

Abstract Neospora caninum is considered to be one of the main causes of abortion among cattle. The present survey was conducted in the municipality of Rolim de Moura, Rondônia State, Brazil. A questionnaire that investigates the epidemiological aspects of neosporosis was used in the analysis of risk factors associated with the animal-level and herd-level prevalence in dairy cattle. A total of 416 bovine blood samples were collected from 30 farms, and N. caninum antibody levels were measured by Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT). Analysis of dairy cattle serum samples revealed the presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies to be 47.36% (n = 197). Risk factors associated with N. caninum infection were the management system and access locations of dogs. The results of the present survey indicated that infection of dairy cattle with N. caninum is widespread in the studied region of Western Amazon, which has implications for prevention and control of neosporosis in this region. Therefore, integrated control strategies and measures are recommended to prevent and control N. caninum infection in dairy cattle. In addition, direct contact between dairy cattle, dogs and wild animals, which can influence the epidemiology of neosporosis, should be investigated further.

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188 DETECTION BY POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION OF NEOSPORA CANINUM FROM OVUM PICKUP AND UTERINE FLUSHING FLUIDS FROM DAIRY CATTLE IN MEXICO

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv22n1ab188 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 252

Author(s):

A. F. Marques ◽

C. G. Ortiz ◽

M. R. Lima ◽

E. L. Zanella ◽

L. Rangel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Positive Control ◽

Negative Control ◽

Genomic Region ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Caninum Infection ◽

Blood Lymphocytes ◽

Negative Results

Neospora caninum, an intracellular protozoon, causes encephalomyelitis in dogs (Bjerkas I et al. 1984 Zentralblat fur Parasitenkunde 70, 271-274). For the past decade, neosporosis has been a main cause of abortion in dairy cattle worldwide (Anderson M et al. 2000 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 60-61, 417-431; Dubey JP 2003 Korean J. Parasitology 41, 1-16). Vertical transmission has been indicated as an important way of spreading neosporosis (Hall CA et al. 2005 Vet. Parasitology 31, 231-41); thus, we investigated whether the protozoon could be transferred by embryo production techniques. Blood samples were collected from 92 dairy cows with history of reproductive failure and abortion within the previous 90 days at 7 dairy farms in Tizayuca, Mexico. For serology evaluation, a commercial indirect ELISA kit (Civtest Bovis Neospora, Laboratories Hipra S.A, Girona, Spain), yielded 46.74% (43/92) positive results, 46.74% (43/92) negative results, and 6.52% (6/92) suspicious to N. caninum infection. Thirteen positive cows were chosen for uterine flush (UF), ovum pickup (OPU), and a blood sample collection. Lymphocytes from blood and cells within the UF and OPU collection fluids were collected after centrifugation and DNA was extracted. All samples were tested for the presence of N. caninum by PCR, using primers and protocols that amplified a 275-bp fragment of the genomic region (5-GGGTGAACCGAGGGAGTTG-3 and 5-CCTCCCAATGCGAACGAAA-3). The N. caninum vaccine (Bovilis® NeoGuard, Intervet, Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico) was used as a positive control and water as a negative control. Uterine flush could not be obtained from 1 cow. From 13 cows seropositive to N. caninum, only 38% were positive to PCR from blood lymphocytes. In contrast, PCR amplification was obtained from OPU cell sediment in 92.31% (12/13) and in 33.33% (4/12) of UF. Of these 12 OPU- and 4 UF-positive samples, only 5 and 3 of their corresponding blood lymphocytes were positive. Our results using uterine and follicular fluid were contradictory to those published by Moskwa et al. (2008 Vet. Parasitology 158, 370-375) where oocytes and embryos were evaluated. These results indicate that N. caninum is present in the ovary and uterine lumen of the cows, suggesting a possible risk of neospora transmission during oocyte and embryo collection and transfer techniques. UNAM and UPF.

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