**5. Neosporosis**

#### **5.1 Etiology**

Neosporosis caused by Neospora caninum in cattle, sheep and goats. Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa in the family Sarcocystidae (Radostits et al., 2008; Matthewa, 2009 ).

The list of sarcocystis specie is shown in table 4.


Table 4. Neosporosis

### **5.2 Epidemiology**

The protozoa Neospora caninum is an important parasite that cause abortion in cattle, sheep and goats (Gumber et al., 2002). The majority of N. caninun- positive cattle prenatally infected via their dams. Transplacental transmission is considered the major route of transmission of N. caninum in cattle (Schares and Conraths, 2007).

In nonfatal infection in the fetus, the fetus is born with neurologic disorder (Smith and George, 2009).

N. caninum has a worldwide distribution, the prevalence of infection in cattle and sheep approaches 100% with a lower ((Taylor et al., 2007; Radostits et al., 2008).

#### **5.3 Pathogenesis**

Definitive host: Dogs are the final host and sexual phase occur in them but, they are also intermediate host in prenatal infections (Taylor et al., 2007; Matthews, 2009).

Indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) and ELISA test are used for serological diagnosis. In acute form of disease titers of antibodies are not high but 1week to 3 months later will be at diagnostic levels. For certain diagnosis immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and

There is no effective treatment for sarcocystosis described in the literature (Urquhart et al., 1987; Radostits et al., 2008; Smith and George, 2009). Treatment of infected calves and sheep with salinomycin (4 mg /kg and 1-2 mg /kg BW; respectively) has been recommended. Amprolium 100 mg /kg, for 30 days reduces the severity of infection (Radostits et al., 2008;

After beginning nervous system symptoms in sheep, Encephalitic Sarcocystosis recovery

Control of disease is based on protection the food supply of ruminants. Feed bunk should be kept clean, also farm dogs and cats that have access to the feed or pastures should not be fed

Neosporosis caused by Neospora caninum in cattle, sheep and goats. Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa in the family Sarcocystidae (Radostits et al.,

The protozoa Neospora caninum is an important parasite that cause abortion in cattle, sheep and goats (Gumber et al., 2002). The majority of N. caninun- positive cattle prenatally infected via their dams. Transplacental transmission is considered the major route of

In nonfatal infection in the fetus, the fetus is born with neurologic disorder (Smith and

N. caninum has a worldwide distribution, the prevalence of infection in cattle and sheep

Definitive host: Dogs are the final host and sexual phase occur in them but, they are also

**Specie Intermediate host Definitive host Geographic distribution** 

N. caninum Cattle, sheep, goats Dog Worlwide

transmission of N. caninum in cattle (Schares and Conraths, 2007).

approaches 100% with a lower ((Taylor et al., 2007; Radostits et al., 2008).

intermediate host in prenatal infections (Taylor et al., 2007; Matthews, 2009).

PCR techniques are available (Radostits et al., 2008).

has not been observed (Ozmen et al., 2009).

The list of sarcocystis specie is shown in table 4.

uncooked meat (Urquhart et al., 1987; Smith and George, 2009).

**4.6 Treatment and control** 

Smith and George, 2009).

**5. Neosporosis** 

2008; Matthewa, 2009 ).

Table 4. Neosporosis

**5.2 Epidemiology** 

George, 2009).

**5.3 Pathogenesis** 

**5.1 Etiology** 

Intremediate host: Cattle are the major intermediate hosts and asexual reproduction phase ocur in them (Matthews, 2009 ). Infection can be transmitted from dam to calf in utero and lactogenically. Infection of cattle can also occur from the ingestion of food or water contaminated with dog feces containing Neospora caninum oocysts (Taylor et al., 2007; Radostits et al., 2008). Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle, however, sporadic abortions can occur in beef cows that have been infected congenitally (Dubey et al., 2006; Taylor et al., 2007; Radostits et al., 2008; Matthewa, 2009 ).

Asexual phase has 2 stages:


Infection in sheep and goats is infrequently (Radostits et al., 2008).

#### **5.4 Clinical findings**

In cattle, Neosporosis causes stillbirth, fetal resorption, mummification, abortion and decreases in their milk production(Gumber et al., 2002; Radostits et al., 2008). Abortions in cows are seen between 5-7 month gestations (Gumber et al., 2002). Fetus may born alive but congenitally diseased (Gumber et al., 2002; Radostits et al., 2008).

Neurological symptoms are different because of the widespread distribution of the parasite in the central nervous system. Calves are born with neurological symptoms, which these symptoms initially are mild but after birth become progress. In calves with neurologic dysfunction clinical signs are included of unable to stand, unable to suckle, domed skull and torticollis (Smith and George, 2009).

#### **5.5 Diagnosis**

The diagnosis of neosporosis is based on the examination of maternal and fetal sera ideally combined with the examination of fetal tissues.


#### **5.6 Treatment and control**

At present, there is no effective treatment for bovine neosporosis.

Control of abortion in infected cattle depends on saving food and water sources and the grazing environment from feces of any animal. Aborted fetuses and placentas should be removed or incinerated. The feces of dogs should be prevented from contaminating animal foodstuffs.

Protozoan Diseases in Farm Ruminants 485

E. ninakohlyakimovae Small and large intestine Domestic goat, Ibex, persian gazelle

E. arloingi Small intestine Domestic goat, Ibex, angora

**Specie Affinity site Hosts** 

Table 7. Eimeris species identified in goats.

Fig. 5. Eimeria spp. sporulated oocyst, calve, 40X

E. alijevi Small and large intestine Domestic goat E. caprina Small and large intestine Domestic goat

E. christenseni Small intestine Domestic goat E. aspheronica unknown Domestic goat E. caprovina unknown Domestic goat E. hirci unknown Domestic goat E. jolchijevi unknown Domestic goat

Congenitally infected cows are at high risk for abortion thus seropositive animals should be culling from a herd (Taylor et al., 2007; Radostits et al., 2008).
