Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in slaughtered native cattle in Kurdistan province, Iran

Abstract

<em>Neospora caninum</em> is a worldwide distributed pathogen which causes abortion in cattle leading to economic loss in the cattle industry. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of <em>N. caninum </em>antibodies in the native cattle slaughtered in various areas of Kurdistan province (western Iran) from September 2010 to September 2011. Serum samples from 368 cattle slaughtered in seven slaughterhouses in this region were taken for detection of anti-<em>N. caninum</em> antibodies using commercial <em>N. caninum </em>ELISA kit. Antibodies to <em>N. caninum </em>were found in 29 samples (7.80%). The present study was the first report of <em>Neospora </em>infection in this region and indicated that native cattle of Kurdistan province were exposed to this parasite.