Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite of animals. Until 1988, it was misidentified as Toxoplasma gondii. Since its first recognition in dogs in 1984 and the description of the new genus and species Neospora caninum in 1988, neosporosis has emerged as a serious disease of cattle and dogs worldwide. Abortions and neonatal mortality are a major problem in livestock operations, and neosporosis is a major cause of abortion in cattle. Although antibodies to N. caninum have been reported, the parasite has not been detected in human tissues. Thus, the zoonotic potential is uncertain. This review is focused mainly on the epidemiology and control of neosporosis in cattle, but worldwide seroprevalences of N. caninum in animals and humans are tabulated. The role of wildlife in the life cycle of N. caninum and strategies for the control of neosporosis in cattle are discussed.

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Epidemiology and Control of Neosporosis and Neospora caninum

http://www.nslc.wustl.edu/courses/Bio348/thach/2011/Babesiosis%20review.pdf

Babesiosis: recent insights into an ancient disease.

Pathogenesis of bovine neosporosis.

Diagnosis of bovine neosporosis

Vector-borne parasitic zoonoses: emerging scenarios and new perspectives.

In the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, herds were identified that were likely to have a Neospora caninum sero-prevalence > or = 10% by using a bulk milk ELISA. Individual herd data were obtained by a questionnaire. Univariate logistic regression showed that bulk milk positive farms had a significantly higher chance to report an increased abortion rate than negative farms (P(Wald)<0.1). The chance to have a bulk milk positive herd increased with the minimum number of years a farm had reported an increased abortion rate (P(Wald)<0.1). Questionnaire data, population and dog density as well as climatic data specific for the farm localization were used to identify potential risk factors for a herd to have acquired N. caninum infections. Within an optimized multiple logistic regression model 'Number of farm dogs', 'Herd size', and factors related to the municipality the farm was localized, i.e. 'Mean temperature in July', and 'Dog density' were significant risk factors (P(Wald)<0.1). The present study underlines the role farm dogs have in the epidemiology of neosporosis. In addition, it suggests that the risk a herd has to acquire N. caninum infections is also associated with factors related to the farm location, i.e. factors that are largely out of the control of farmers.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0031182004005700

Potential risk factors for bovine Neospora caninum infection in Germany are not under the control of the farmers.

Regional distribution of bovine Neospora caninum infection in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate modelled by Logistic regression.

Retrospective Analysis of the Oral Immunisation of Wild Boar Populations against Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV) in region Eifel of Rhineland-Palatinate

R. G. Hess

Papers

Potential risk factors for bovine Neospora caninum infection in Germany are not under the control of the farmers.

Regional distribution of bovine Neospora caninum infection in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate modelled by Logistic regression.

Retrospective Analysis of the Oral Immunisation of Wild Boar Populations against Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV) in region Eifel of Rhineland-Palatinate