Serological study of Neospora caninum infection in cattle from Ahvaz area, Iran

Abstract

Abstract: In order to investigate the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in cattle in Southwestern Iran, blood samples were collected from Holstein (121 animals) and cross-breed (436 animals) cattle from three farms and seven areas of Ahvaz, respectively. All of the Holstein cattle were “4 years old but cross-breed cattle were from different age groups ( < 2, 2-4, 5-6 and > 6 years old). Sera were examined by commercial ELISA kit. Anti - N. caninum antibodies were detected in 117 (21%) sera out of 557 tested. A Significant difference was found between Holstein (53.71%) and cross-breed (11.93%) cattle although there were not any significant differences between age groups. <br /> Key words: Neospora caninum, Cattle, Ahvaz, Iran