Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in Dairy Cattle Raised in Çiçekdaği District of Kırşehir Province.

OBJECTIVE: Neospora caninum is one of the most important causes of abortion in cattle worldwide and causes significant economic losses in the meat and dairy industries. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum in dairy cattle raised in Çiçekdağı district of Kırşehir province.

METHODS: One hundred sixteen serum samples collected from dairy cattle were analyzed for N. caninum antibodies by a commercial Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) kit (VMRD c-ELISA).

RESULTS: The seropositivity rate was 18.1% in the cattle examined. The seroprevalence of N. caninum was 23.4% in dairy cattle with fertility problems, 33.3% in cattle with a history of abortion, and 7.8% in clinically healthy dairy cattle (p=0.006). Cattle breeds with highest seropositivity rates were Holstein, Simmental, and Brown Swiss (p=0.008).

CONCLUSION: Control measures should be taken for both dogs as final host of the parasite cattle to prevent the spread of neosporosis in cattle in Çiçekdağı district.