Comparison of Serological Methods for the Diagnosis of Neospora caninum Infection in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

In this study، serum samples from 188 slaughtered water buffaloes were collected from Ahvaz abattoir during 2010-2011. The collected sera were analyzed by two commercial Elisa kits (IDEXX and ID VET) and NAT method. Seroprevalence of N. caninum in commercial kits IDEXX and ID VET and NAT method were 55. 9%، 66. 5% and 56. 9% respectively، which was significantly higher in ID VET Elisa kit in comparison with IDEXX Elisa Kit and NAT method، but there was no significant difference between IDEXX Elisa Kit and NAT method. Agreement between ID VET Elisa kit and IDEXX Elisa kit and NAT method was weak، and Kappa statistic for these associations were 0. 36 and 0. 26 respectively، but agreement between IDEXX Elisa kit and NAT method was moderate (Kappa statistic = 0. 59). Seroprevalence of neosporosis according to IDEXX Elisa kit in female and male water buffaloes were 59. 7% and 53. 7% respectively. Seroprevalence of neosporosis in water buffaloes with age of 2 years and lower and with age of more than 2 years were 57. 3% and 53. 1% respectively. Relationship between age and sex of water buffaloes and infection with N. caninum was not significant (P>0. 05).