**4.4 Clinical findings**

In cattle is usually asymptomatic, but in heavy infections and nonimmune cattle, clinical signs include fever, anorexia, anemia, weight loss, lameness, abortion and diarrhea (Taylor et al., 2007; Radostits et al., 2008). Neurologic signs are occasionally seen in cattle that include ataxia, tremors, muscular weakness, hypersalivation, blindness, opisthotonos and nystagmus (Radostits et al., 2008; Smith and George, 2009 ). In infections that caused by Sarcocystis bovicanis in cattle there is usually loss of hair at the end of the tail (Taylor et al., 2007).

In sheep and goats clinical signs may be asymptomatic. In heavy infections there is fever, loss of weight, anemia and weakness. Abortion may occur (Taylor et al., 2007).

In chronic infections clinical signs include poor weight gain, edema of the limbs, anemia and abortion ( Smith and George, 2009). Neurological disorder that is described in sheep caused by S. Tenella and S. Arieticanis (Radostits et al., 2008). Neurological symptoms, such as depression, in coordination, hind leg paralysis and coma can be seen in Encephalitic Sarcocystosis (Ozmen et al., 2009).

#### **4.5 Diagnosis**

Generally Sarcocystis infections are diagnosed at meat inspection with grossly visible sarcocysts in the animala's muscle. When infection is very heavy in intermediate hosts, clinical signs and histological evidence of schizonts in the blood vessels of organs and the presence of cysts in the muscles at necropsy will be used for diagnosis (Urquhart et al., 1987).

Protozoan Diseases in Farm Ruminants 483

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.,

1. Tachyzoites: Tachyzoites penetrate host cell like central nervous system, muscles, macrophages and other cells, where they divide rapidly. Tachyzoites can also be transmitted either with contaminated food and water or transplacentally to the fetus in pregnant animals. Tissue cyst containing bradyzoites that these are found only in the nervous system. After the asexual phase, sexual phase ocur in definite host. It results in

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

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

The diagnosis of neosporosis is based on the examination of maternal and fetal sera ideally



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.

2006; Taylor et al., 2007; Radostits et al., 2008; Matthewa, 2009 ).

production of oocysts, which is shed in the dog feces.

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

congenitally diseased (Gumber et al., 2002; Radostits et al., 2008).

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

Asexual phase has 2 stages:

**5.4 Clinical findings** 

**5.5 Diagnosis** 

2009).

**5.6 Treatment and control** 

2. Tissue cysts (Taylor et al., 2007).

torticollis (Smith and George, 2009).

combined with the examination of fetal tissues.

assay (ELISA) are used for diagnosis.

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