[Serological study of Neospora caninum infection in cattle from Ahvaz area, Iran]

In order to investigate the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in cattle in Southwestern Iran, blood samples were collected from Holstein [121 animals] and cross-breed [436 animals] cattle from three farms and seven areas of Ahvaz, respectively. All of the Holstein cattle were >/= 4 years old but cross-breed cattle were from different age groups [< 2.2-4.5-6 and > 6 years old]. Sera were examined by commercial ELISA kit. Anti - N. caninum antibodies were detected in 117 [21%] sera out of 557 tested. A Significant difference was found between Holstein [53.71%] and cross-breed [11.93%] cattle although there were not any significant differences between age groups

Comparison of Dot-ELISA with microbial culture for detection of Brucella spp. in clinical specimens

Definitive diagnosis of brucellosis is made by isolation of the causative agents, which is a time-consuming procedure. To evaluate the efficacy of Dot-ELISA for detecting brucellae in clinical samples, 94 different specimens taken from animal origin were cultured on brucella selective culture media and colonies were identified biochemically. The specimens were also examined after centrifugation by Dot-ELISA using a specific anti-brucella antibody, a suitable peroxidase conjugate and substrate. Of the 94 samples, 5 [5.31%] were positive in Dot-ELISA and 4 [4.25%] had positive cultures. In comparison with culture, the sensitivity and specificity of Dot-ELISA for detection of brucellae in the samples was 80 and 100%, respectively. There was 98.9% agreement between the two tests. The results indicated that Dot-ELISA is a good and rapid test with acceptable sensitivity and specificity for detection ofBrucella spp. in aborted fetal stomach contents