Diagnostics of Neospora caninum antibodies of bovine milk by ELISA

Abstract

Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) is a coccidian parasite with a two‐host life‐cycle. Dogs and coyotes are definitive hosts. A wide spectrum of mammals serves as intermediate hosts (i.a. ruminants, horses, canids). The reproductive failures associated with abortion in cattle have an economic impact. A milk ELISA is a simple serological method for diagnostics of anti‐Neospora caninum antibodies in dairy herds. We used a commercial Neospora caninum iscom ELISA kit (Svanova, Sweden) designed to detect bovine Neospora‐specific antibodies in blood serum. We examined 332 dairy herds in the Czech Republic. Milk serum was examined at dilution 1:100 according to manufacturer's instructions. The number of milking cows in the examined herds varied, but never exceeded 200 per one bulk sample. Four out of 332 examined herds were significantly positive, the positive bulk milk samples were obtained from herds consisting of 7, 19, 35 and 98 cows. Hitherto, we have studied in detail the smallest herd. The milk and blood samples or only blood samples (in some animals, e.g. calves) were examined individually. We observed the correlation of positivity between milk and blood. Moreover, the mother‐descendant positivity/negativity was found. A dog living in the farm was examined, being coprologically negative but serologically positive (IFAT).This is the next proof of the occurrence of N. caninum in cattle in the Czech Republic. In addition, our results refer to an importance of transplacental transmission in cattle.