Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum and Brucella abortus in dairy cattle herds with high abortion rates

J Parasitol. 2011 Aug;97(4):740-2. doi: 10.1645/GE-2734.1. Epub 2011 Feb 16.

Abstract

The protozoan Neospora caninum and the bacterium Brucella abortus are well-recognized causes of abortion in dairy cattle. Serum samples (n = 240) from aborting (n = 141) and at-risk (n = 99) animals from 5 herds with high abortion rates in Punjab Province, Pakistan, were tested for antibodies to N. caninum using monoclonal antibody-based ELISA and for antibodies to B. abortus using the serum agglutination test. Antibodies to N. caninum and B. abortus were detected in 105 (43.8%) and 135 (56.3%) cattle, respectively. Prevalences of antibodies to N. caninum and B. abortus were higher in aborting cows (46.8% and 76.6%, P < 0.05) than in animals at risk (39.4% and 27.3%, P > 0.05). Sixty-six animals (27.5%) were seropositive to both N. caninum and B. abortus , and results showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) with respect to geographical district, breed, and age. This is the first report of N. caninum infection among dairy cattle herds in Pakistan.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology*
  • Abortion, Veterinary / microbiology
  • Abortion, Veterinary / parasitology
  • Age Distribution
  • Agglutination Tests / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Brucella abortus / immunology*
  • Brucellosis, Bovine / epidemiology
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cattle Diseases / microbiology
  • Cattle Diseases / parasitology
  • Coccidiosis / epidemiology
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Female
  • Neospora / immunology*
  • Pakistan / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Antibodies, Protozoan