Abstract

Neospora caninum is a major cause of reproductive problems in cattle worldwide. The aim of the present study was to describe the rate of N. caninum infection among cows that presented reproductive problems in Greece. Nine hundred and thirty-one blood samples were collected from an equal number of dairy cows that had presented abortion or decreased reproductive performance and were subjected to serological detection of IgG N. caninum antibodies. Subsequently, brain tissue samples from aborted fetuses were collected from cows that were found positive for N. caninum antibodies and were molecularly tested for the presence of the parasite. Antibodies against N. caninum were found in 200 of the blood samples tested and the presence of the parasite was genomically confirmed in all the examined fetal brain tissue samples. This report provides evidence of N. caninum role as a cause of cattle reproduction problems in Greece and underlines the need for the implementation of effective preventive measures.

Keywords:Neospora caninum; Neosporosis; Cattle; Reproductive problems; ELISA