Serological diagnosis of Neospora caninum infection in some domestic animals from Egypt

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the presence of antibodies to N. caninum in cattle, sheep, goats and dogs from Egypt. Sera from the tested animals were examined using a direct agglutination test incorporating mercaptoethanol and formalin-preserved whole N. caninum tachyzoites as antigen. Anti-N. caninum antibodies were found in 18 out of 111 aborted cattle. Abortion occurred during the third to ninth month of the gestation period. Three out of the 26 non-aborted cattle were seropositive. The statistical analysis indicated that anti-N. caninum antibodies occurred more in the aborted than in the non-aborted group [slightly significant]. Seventy-three of 202 sheep and 31 of 88 goats recorded antibodies for N. caninum. Eight out of 29 stray dogs had antibodies against N. caninum