Detection of Neospora caninum DNA by PCR analysis in bovine aborted foetuses.

Neosporosis is a common infection in cattle and is a major cause of abortions worldwide. Neospora caninum abortions have been reported in both dairy and beef cattle. We evaluated the presence of this protozoal parasite in aborted foetuses by mean of PCR analysis in herds of the Piedmont Region (Italy) Subsequently we compared these results with those obtained by serodiagnosis in order to establish a correlation with seroprevalence. PCR analysis was carried out on tissues from 71 aborted foetuses (liver, muscle, kidney, head) collected from 34 selected herds with a prior history of abortion problems and seropositivity for N. caninum. Seroprevalence in pregnant beef cattle was higher than in dairy cattle, but in the latter we found a higher prevalence of positive aborted foetuses at PCR analysis. This study confirms that N. caninum is an important cause of abortion and that DNA detection by PCR analysis is a valid tool for diagnosis of N. caninum infection in aborted foetuses.