Neospora: Difference between revisions

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File:Aborted calf due to Neopsporosis.jpg

Neospora

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.

Taxonomy and Classification

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.

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 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 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

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-[[file:Neospora_caninum_(5256961091).jpg|thumb|Neospora caninum (5256961091)]] [[file:Transmission_of_Neosporosis.png|thumb|Transmission of Neosporosis|left]] [[file:Aborted_calf_due_to_Neopsporosis.jpg|thumb|Aborted calf due to Neopsporosis]] '''Neospora''' is a genus of [[apicomplexan]] parasites that primarily affect animals. The most well-known species within this genus is ''[[Neospora caninum]]'', which is a major cause of [[neospora abortion]] in cattle and [[neurological disease]] in dogs.
+[[File:Transmission of Neosporosis.png|thumb]] [[File:Aborted calf due to Neopsporosis.jpg|thumb]] Neospora
-==Taxonomy and Classification==
+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.
-Neospora belongs to the phylum [[Apicomplexa]], which includes other notable parasites such as ''[[Plasmodium]]'' (the causative agent of [[malaria]]) and ''[[Toxoplasma gondii]]''. The genus Neospora was first described in 1988, and it is closely related to ''[[Toxoplasma]]''.
-==Life Cycle==
+== Taxonomy and Classification ==
-The life cycle of Neospora involves both asexual and sexual reproduction. The definitive hosts, where sexual reproduction occurs, are typically [[canids]] such as [[dogs]] and [[wolves]]. Intermediate hosts, where asexual reproduction occurs, include a variety of [[mammals]], most notably [[cattle]].
-===Definitive Hosts===
+*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.
-In the definitive host, Neospora undergoes sexual reproduction in the [[intestinal epithelium]]. [[Oocysts]] are shed in the feces and can contaminate the environment, where they become infectious.
-===Intermediate Hosts===
+== Life Cycle ==
-Intermediate hosts become infected by ingesting oocysts from the environment. In these hosts, the parasite undergoes asexual reproduction, forming [[tachyzoites]] and [[bradyzoites]]. Tachyzoites are responsible for the acute phase of infection, while bradyzoites form tissue cysts and are associated with chronic infection.
-==Pathogenesis==
+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.
-Neospora can cause significant disease in both definitive and intermediate hosts. In cattle, it is a leading cause of [[bovine abortion]], leading to significant economic losses in the [[dairy]] and [[beef]] industries. In dogs, it can cause [[neuromuscular disease]], leading to symptoms such as [[paralysis]] and [[muscle atrophy]].
-==Diagnosis==
+=== Definitive Host ===
-Diagnosis of Neospora infection can be achieved through various methods, including [[serology]], [[polymerase chain reaction]] (PCR), and [[histopathology]]. Serological tests detect antibodies against Neospora, while PCR can identify the parasite's DNA in tissue samples.
-==Treatment and Control==
+In the definitive host, the parasite undergoes sexual reproduction in the intestinal epithelium. Oocysts are produced and excreted in the feces, contaminating the environment.
-There is currently no effective treatment for Neospora infection in cattle. Management practices to control the spread of the parasite include preventing contamination of feed and water with dog feces and culling infected animals. In dogs, treatment options include [[antiprotozoal]] drugs, although these are not always effective.
-==Prevention==
+=== Intermediate Host ===
-Preventive measures focus on breaking the life cycle of the parasite. This includes controlling the population of definitive hosts and ensuring that they do not have access to areas where cattle feed. Vaccines are currently under development but are not yet widely available.
-==Related Pages==
+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 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 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 ==
+* [[Toxoplasmosis]]
 * [[Apicomplexa]]
-* [[Neospora caninum]]
+* [[Coccidiosis]]
-* [[Toxoplasma gondii]]
+* [[Parasitic diseases of animals]]
-* [[Bovine abortion]]
-* [[Neurological disease]]
+{{Parasitic diseases}}
-* [[Polymerase chain reaction]]
-==Categories==
+[[Category:Parasitic diseases]]
+[[Category:Veterinary medicine]]
 [[Category:Apicomplexa]]
-[[Category:Veterinary medicine]]
-[[Category:Parasitic diseases]]
-{{Taxobox
-| name = Neospora
-| image =
-| image_caption =
-| domain = [[Eukaryota]]
-| unranked_regnum = [[SAR (Stramenopiles, Alveolates, Rhizaria)|SAR]]
-| unranked_superphylum = [[Alveolata]]
-| phylum = [[Apicomplexa]]
-| classis = [[Conoidasida]]
-| subclassis = [[Coccidia]]
-| ordo = [[Eucoccidiorida]]
-| subordo = [[Eimeriorina]]
-| familia = [[Sarcocystidae]]
-| genus = '''''Neospora'''''
-| genus_authority = Dubey, Carpenter, Speer, Topper & Uggla, 1988
-| subdivision_ranks = Species
-| subdivision =
-* ''[[Neospora caninum]]''
-* ''[[Neospora hughesi]]''
-}}
-{{medicine-stub}}