Neospora caninum infection and repeated abortions in humans.

Eskild Petersen,Peter Bagger,Lene Jensen,Camilla Björkman,Arvid Uggla,Morten Lebech,Peter Lind,Martin Rask

doi:10.3201/eid0502.990215

Abstract

To determine whether Neospora caninum, a parasite known to cause repeated abortions and stillbirths in cattle, also causes repeated abortions in humans, we retrospectively examined serum samples of 76 women with a history of abortions for evidence of N. caninum infection. No antibodies to the parasite were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence assay, or Western blot.

Highlights

Neospora caninum, an intracellular protozoan parasite closely related to Toxoplasma gondii [1,2], was first described in dogs in Norway in 1984 and later in a wide range of other mammals including cattle, goats, horses, and sheep
No case of N. caninum infection has been described in humans
As no true N. caninumnegative or -positive human sera were available, serum specimens with absorbencies 0.50 (n = 12) were selected for further investigation (Table)

Summary

Introduction

An intracellular protozoan parasite closely related to Toxoplasma gondii [1,2], was first described in dogs in Norway in 1984 and later in a wide range of other mammals including cattle, goats, horses, and sheep. We investigated serologically the possible presence of N. caninum infection in Danish women who had repeated abortions of unknown cause. The Study The study included 76 women (mean age 30.8 years, range 19 to 41 years) who had had repeated abortions or intrauterine death of the fetus.

Results

Conclusion