Serological survey of Neospora caninum infection in Holstein dairy cattle from Khoramabad region

Neospora caninum is an intracellular parasite which causes abortion in cattle worldwide. This organism infects a range of host species، including cattle، sheep and dogs. It is most important and a major cause of bovine abortion. Seroprevalence of infection in cattle appears to differ between herds، countries and regions، depending on the type of serologic test used. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum in cattle in Khoramabad region، west of Iran. Blood samples were collected from 181 cattle for determining the seroprevalence of N. caninum. A total of 181 serum samples were tested for anti-Neospora antibodies using a commercial N. caninum ELISA kit. Antibody against N. caninum was detected in 50 of 181 total cattle (27. 62%). No significant difference was observed among N. caninum infection of different age groups of cattle. Furthermore، the infection rate in cows with a history of abortion was about twice the cows without history (P<0. 01). Regarding the prevalence of infection and the presence of dogs in the whole dairy farms، the probability of transmission of Neospora infection from the guard dogs to cattle is estimated to be high.