Prevalence of Neospora antibodies in beef cattle in New Zealand

Title Prevalence of Neospora antibodies in beef cattle in New Zealand
Publication Type Journal Article
Year of Publication 2000
Authors Tennent-Brown, B.S. , Pomroy W.E. , Reichel M.P. , Gray P.L. , Marshall T.S. , Moffat P.A. , Rogers M. , Driscoll V.A. , Reeve O.F. , Ridler A.L. , and Ritvanen S.
Journal New Zealand Veterinary Journal
Volume 48
Issue 5
Pagination 149 - 150
Date Published 2000
ISBN Number 00480169 (ISSN)
Keywords Beef cattle , ELISA , Epidemiology , Neospora , serology
Abstract

To estimate the prevalence of Neospora infection in a sample of New Zealand beef cattle. The prevalence of Neospora caninum infection in New Zealand beef cattle was estimated by collecting blood at slaughter from 499 beef cattle from 40 different farms at 2 slaughter plants in the North Island and 1 in the lower South Island. Sera were tested using an ELISA against Neospora tachyzoite antigen. The prevalence of seropositive cattle was 2.5% (n = 120), 3.6% (n = 166) and 2.3% (n = 213) at the plants surveyed, the overall prevalence being 2.8%. The serologically positive cattle came from 9 farms, 3 of which had more than 1 positive animal. The highest prevalence recorded amongst animals from 1 farm was 4/13 (31%), in a group of young steers. Neosporosis appears to be present at a lower level in the New Zealand beef cattle population than in the New Zealand dairy cattle population. Nevertheless, from the high seroprevalence evident amongst young cattle on 1 farm, we suggest that Neospora may be a cause of infertility in beef cattle in this country.

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