Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite of animals. Until 1988, it was misdiagnosed as Toxoplasma gondii. Since its first recognition in 1984 in dogs and the description of a new genus and species Neospora caninum in 1988, neosporosis has emerged as a serious disease of cattle and dogs worldwide. Abortions and neonatal mortality are a major problem in livestock operations and neosporosis is a major cause of abortion in cattle. This review is focused on current status of neosporosis in animals based on papers published in the last five years. Worldwide seroprevalences are tabulated. Strategies for control and prevention are discussed.
Information on this disease is relatively new and as such there is comparatively little research and information available. Ongoing research and studies are showing that neospora caninum – neosporosis – gray wolves and assumed other wild canines, are natural definitive hosts. The oocysts passed in the canines’ feces can become ingested by cattle and can cause spontaneous abortion of fetuses once the fetus becomes infected.
There is also discussion as to whether wild ungulates, such as deer, elk, moose, sheep, etc., are capable of aborting fetuses from this infection. Studies are ongoing.
The intent of these website pages is to share with readers and research all information that I have been able to collect, mostly due to the efforts of other researchers, doctors and scientists. Below is a list of categories I hope can become helpful in searching for the correct information. I will break it down into scientific research papers and reports, field reports and data, and comments and discussions from qualified individuals and organizations.
Scientific Research and Reports on Neospora Caninum
Field Reports, Data, Discoveries, Important Information from Ongoing Studies
