Diagnosis of bovine fetal Neospora infection with an indirect fluorescent antibody test
Barr, B.C.; Anderson, M.L.; Sverlow, K.W.; Conrad, P.A.
Veterinary Record 137(24): 611-613
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 8746850 Document Number: 439234
Fetal fluids from 138 spontaneously aborted bovine fetuses were examined for antibodies against Neospora antigens by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The fetuses were divided into group 1, consisting of 74 with confirmed or presumptive fetal neosporosis, and group 2, consisting of 64 fetuses with either no aetiological diagnosis, presumptive diagnosis of non-Neospora infections or non-infectious diseases, or fetuses with confirmed diagnoses of other fetal diseases. 37 of the 74 fetuses in group 1 had detectable titres of antibody to Neospora; approximately 21% of the fetuses between 3 and 5 months gestation, 56% of these between 6 and 7 months gestation, and 93% of these between 8 and 9 months gestation, had detectable titres of antibody. Only one of the 64 fetuses in group 2 had a detectable titre of antibody to Neospora.