Serologic responses of cattle and other animals infected with Neospora caninum
Dubey, J.P.; Lindsay, D.S.; Adams, D.S.; Gay, J.M.; Baszler, T.V.; Blagburn, B.L.; Thulliez, P.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 57(3): 329-336
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 8669764 Document Number: 466725
Objective: To examine cross-reactivity among Neospora caninum and closely-related apicomplexans. Design: Sera from animals were examined for antibody production to N. caninum and cross-reactivity to Toxoplasma gondii. Animals: Cattle were experimentally infected with 3 tissue cyst-forming protozoan parasites N. caninum, T. gondii, and Sarcocystis sp, and calves were monospecifically inoculated with the intestinal coccidia, Eimeria bovis and Cryptosporidium parvum. Similar studies were done in laboratory rabbits inoculated with N. caninum, T. gondii, Hammondia hammondi, and Sarcocystis sp. Additionally, sera were obtained from ewes, lambs, goats, sows, cats, rats, and mice inoculated with N. caninum tachyzoites. Procedure: The indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) and ELISA antibody tests (cattle only) were used to examine reactivity to N. caninum; the modified direct agglutination, Sabin-Feldman dye, and IFA tests were used to evaluate reactivity to T. gondii. Results: Serologic cross-reactivity among N. caninum, T. gondii, and Sarcocystis sp was none or minimal by the IFA test. There was some reactivity to N. caninum by the use of ELISA in cattle inoculated with Sarcocystis sp. Conclusions: The IFA test for N. caninum was specific for the diagnosis of neosporosis in animals.