Abstract

The protozoan parasite Neospora caninum is the cause of the infectious disease neosporosis. N. caninum is now a major parasite that affects dogs and livestock all over the world. Cattle abortions are now most frequently caused by neosporosis, particularly in cattle raised in intensive agriculture. Many infections caused by N. caninum are mistakenly diagnosed as toxoplasmosis. For diagnosis, the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) are employed. N. caninum goes through three different stages in its life cycle: sprozoites, tachyzoites, and bradyzoites. The primary method of N. caninum transmission in cattle is thought to be transplacental. Dogs are the definitive host of N. caninum, and the organisms in dogs and cattle are indistinguishable from one another. A high prevalence of N. caninum infection in animals was linked to the presence of dogs on farms that tested positive for the parasite. Although exact statistics on the financial losses resulting from neosporosis in the global livestock sector are unavailable, losses are thought to be in the millions of dollars. A number of toxoplasmosis medications have been investigated against N. caninum. In infected cell cultures, piritrexim, monensin, pyrimethamine, lasalocid, and trimethoprim stop N. caninum from growing intracellularly. taking action to stop vertical transmission is the most practical way to control neosporosis in cattle herds, considering the current state of knowledge.

Key words: Abortion, Cattle, Dog, Infectious disease, N. caninum