Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle ranches with high abortion rate: Special emphasis to serologic co-existence with Toxoplasma gondii, Brucella abortus and Listeria monocytogenes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle ranches with higher abortion rates and co-existence of Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, Brucella abortus, and Listeria monocytogenes antibodies. The blood samples were collected from dairy cows with history of abortion (n = 234) as well as from pregnant cows that were (n = 323) kept in the same ranches. N. caninum seroprevalence was 10.77% (60/557). The co-existence rate of N. caninum seropositivity with T. gondii, B. abortus and L. monocytagenes was 24.77% (138/557), 13.82% (77/557) and 42.85% (162/378), respectively. Only one animal had significant antibody titers for all analyzed infectious agents. The seroprevalence of N. caninum and T. gondii were significantly higher in pregnant cows than aborted cows (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). As a result, the comprehensive data generated through this study can significantly contribute to understanding of serologic association of N. caninum with T gondii, B. abortus and L monocytogenes in pregnant and aborted dairy cows. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.