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Korean J Parasitol. 2009 Dec;47(4):417-420.
Published online 2009 December 02.  doi: 10.3347/kjp.2009.47.4.417.
Copyright © 2009 by The Korean Society for Parasitology
Fecal and Molecular Survey of Neospora caninum in Farm and Household Dogs in Mashhad Area, Khorasan Province, Iran
Gholamreza Razmi
Section of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Excellence Research Center for Ruminantal Abortion and Neonatal Mortality, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

Corresponding author (Email: razmi@fum.ac )
Received April 28, 2009; Revised July 09, 2009; Accepted August 03, 2009.

Abstract

Neospora caninum is an important cause of abortion in dairy cattle worldwide. Dog is the definitive host for N. caninum and can infect dairy cattle. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Neospora oocysts in feces of dogs from dairy farms. A total of 174 fecal samples was collected from 89 farm dogs and 85 household dogs during 2006 and 2008. Fecal samples of dogs were microscopically examined for detecting Hammondia Neospora-like oocysts (HNLO) by Mini Parasep®SF fecal parasite concentrator. HNLO were microscopically detected in 4 fecal samples (2.2%). The fecal samples with HNLO were examined by N. caninum-specific PCR. Two of the samples were positive for N. caninum. The 2 positive fecal samples were selected for inoculation to calves. Two inoculated calves were seronegative by ELISA for 4 months post-infection. This is the first report of finding N. caninum DNA in feces of farm dogs in Mashhad area, Iran.

Keywords: Neospora caninum, oocyst, dog, Iran.
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