Neospora: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:29, 25 February 2025

Neosporosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum. It primarily affects cattle and dogs, leading to significant economic losses in the livestock industry.

Etiology[edit]

Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite closely related to Toxoplasma gondii. It is an obligate intracellular parasite that can infect a wide range of mammalian hosts.

Transmission[edit]

The primary mode of transmission in cattle is vertical, from dam to fetus during pregnancy. Dogs, the definitive hosts, can shed oocysts in their feces, which can contaminate food and water sources, leading to horizontal transmission.

Clinical Signs[edit]

In cattle, neosporosis is a major cause of abortion, particularly in the second trimester. In dogs, it can cause neurological disorders, muscle atrophy, and paralysis.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of neosporosis can be achieved through serological tests such as ELISA and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing can also be used to detect N. caninum DNA in tissues.

Treatment[edit]

There is no definitive cure for neosporosis, but antiprotozoal drugs such as clindamycin and sulfadiazine may help reduce symptoms in dogs. In cattle, management focuses on preventing transmission.

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures include maintaining strict biosecurity to prevent contamination of feed and water with dog feces, and managing breeding to avoid transmission from infected dams to offspring.

External Links[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:Transmission of Neosporosis.png|thumb]] [[File:Aborted calf due to Neopsporosis.jpg|thumb]] Neospora
+[[File:Neospora caninum (5256961091).jpg|Neospora caninum (5256961091)|thumb]]
+'''Neosporosis''' is a [[parasitic disease]] caused by the protozoan ''[[Neospora caninum]]''. It primarily affects [[cattle]] and [[dogs]], leading to significant [[economic losses]] in the [[livestock industry]].
-Neospora is a genus of apicomplexan parasites that primarily affect animals, particularly cattle and dogs. The most well-known species within this genus is *Neospora caninum*, which is a major cause of abortion in cattle and neurological disease in dogs. Neosporosis, the disease caused by *Neospora* species, has significant economic impacts on the livestock industry due to reproductive losses.
+== Etiology ==
+''Neospora caninum'' is an [[apicomplexan]] parasite closely related to ''[[Toxoplasma gondii]]''. It is an obligate intracellular parasite that can infect a wide range of [[mammalian hosts]].
-== Taxonomy and Classification ==
+== Transmission ==
+The primary mode of transmission in cattle is vertical, from [[dam]] to [[fetus]] during [[pregnancy]]. Dogs, the definitive hosts, can shed [[oocysts]] in their [[feces]], which can contaminate [[food]] and [[water]] sources, leading to horizontal transmission.
-*Neospora* belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa, which includes other important parasites such as *Plasmodium* and *Toxoplasma*. The genus was first described in 1988, and it is closely related to *Toxoplasma gondii*, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis.
+== Clinical Signs ==
+In cattle, neosporosis is a major cause of [[abortion]], particularly in the second trimester. In dogs, it can cause [[neurological disorders]], [[muscle atrophy]], and [[paralysis]].
-== Life Cycle ==
-The life cycle of *Neospora caninum* involves both definitive and intermediate hosts. Dogs and other canids are the definitive hosts, where sexual reproduction occurs, leading to the shedding of oocysts in the feces. Cattle and other herbivores serve as intermediate hosts, where asexual reproduction occurs.
-=== Definitive Host ===
-In the definitive host, the parasite undergoes sexual reproduction in the intestinal epithelium. Oocysts are produced and excreted in the feces, contaminating the environment.
-=== Intermediate Host ===
-Cattle become infected by ingesting oocysts from contaminated feed or water. Once ingested, the oocysts release sporozoites that invade host cells and develop into tachyzoites. Tachyzoites rapidly multiply and disseminate throughout the host, causing tissue damage. Eventually, they form tissue cysts containing bradyzoites, which are the dormant stage of the parasite.
-== Pathogenesis ==
-In cattle, *Neospora caninum* is a leading cause of abortion, particularly in dairy cattle. The parasite can cross the placenta and infect the fetus, leading to fetal death or congenital infection. In dogs, neosporosis can cause neuromuscular disease, leading to paralysis and other neurological symptoms.
 == Diagnosis ==
+Diagnosis of neosporosis can be achieved through [[serological tests]] such as [[ELISA]] and [[indirect fluorescent antibody test]] (IFAT). [[Polymerase chain reaction]] (PCR) testing can also be used to detect ''N. caninum'' DNA in tissues.
-Diagnosis of neosporosis can be challenging and typically involves serological tests to detect antibodies against *Neospora caninum*. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and histopathological examination of tissues can also be used to confirm infection.
+== Treatment ==
+There is no definitive cure for neosporosis, but [[antiprotozoal drugs]] such as [[clindamycin]] and [[sulfadiazine]] may help reduce symptoms in dogs. In cattle, management focuses on preventing transmission.
-== Treatment and Control ==
-There is currently no effective treatment for neosporosis in cattle. Control measures focus on preventing infection by managing dog populations and reducing exposure to contaminated feed and water. In dogs, treatment with antiprotozoal drugs can be attempted, but the prognosis is often poor.
-== Epidemiology ==
-Neosporosis is a global disease, with cases reported in many countries. The prevalence of infection varies widely, influenced by factors such as farming practices and the presence of definitive hosts.
-== Also see ==
+== Prevention ==
+Preventive measures include maintaining strict [[biosecurity]] to prevent contamination of feed and water with dog feces, and managing breeding to avoid transmission from infected dams to offspring.
+== See Also ==
 * [[Toxoplasmosis]]
-* [[Apicomplexa]]
 * [[Coccidiosis]]
-* [[Parasitic diseases of animals]]
+* [[Zoonosis]]
-{{Parasitic diseases}}
+== External Links ==
+* [https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/neosporosis/index.html CDC - Neosporosis]
+* [https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/neosporosis/overview-of-neosporosis Merck Veterinary Manual - Neosporosis]
 [[Category:Parasitic diseases]]
 [[Category:Veterinary medicine]]
-[[Category:Apicomplexa]]
+[[Category:Protozoal diseases]]
+[[Category:Zoonoses]]