First Report of Neospora caninum Seroprevalence in Dairy Cattle in Jiangxi Province, Southeastern China

摘要

Neospora caninum is one of the major causes of abortion and neonatal mortality among livestock. Although, N. caninum infection in dairy cattle has been investigated in many countries around the world, little information was available in China. In the present study, the seroprevalence of N. caninum infection in dairy cattle were investigated in Jiangxi Province, Southeastern China between May 2012 and February 2013. A total of 640 serum samples collected from nine administrative cities/regions in Jiangxi Province were examined for antibodies against N. caninum using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT). The overall N. caninum seroprevalence in dairy cattle was 15.63% (95% CI = 12.81-18.44%) (100/640) ranging from 11.76% (95% CI = 4.11-19.42%) to 18.33% (95% CI = 8.54-28.12%). The seroprevalence of N. caninum in aborting cattle (20.59%; 95% CI = 15.78-25.39%; 56/272) was significantly higher than that in non-aborting cattle (11.96%; 95% CI = 8.64-15.27%; 44/368) (p>0.05). The 5 years old dairy cattle had the highest seroprevalence (25.53%; 95% CI = 16.72-34.35%) followed by those that were 6 years old (19.17%; 95% CI = 12.12-26.21%) (p>0.05). The results of the present survey indicate that N. caninum infection is highly prevalent in dairy cattle in Jiangxi Province, China. The results of the present study have implications for the prevention and control of N. caninum infection in dairy cattle in Jiangxi Province, China and elsewhere.