Dataset Information

Sensitive and specific identification of Neospora caninum infection of cattle based on detection of serum antibodies to recombinant Ncp29.

ABSTRACT: Neosporosis is an economically important disease of dairy cattle caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum. Diagnostic tests for neosporosis are complicated by the potential for cross-reaction of antibodies to antigens that are similar between N. caninum and closely related parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis cruzi. To provide a sensitive and specific assay for detecting antibodies to N. caninum in the serum of infected animals, we have investigated a recombinant form of the antigen known as Ncp29 (rNcp29), which is a major surface protein of the parasite. Ncp29 is encoded by a gene that is homologous to the SAG1 gene previously characterized from T. gondii. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to screen animals for the presence of serum antibodies specific to rNcp29. The rNcp29 ELISA readily distinguished between cattle known to be infected with N. caninum (optical density [OD] > 1.2 at 1:500 or greater dilution) and negative controls (OD < 0.5 at 1:500). Additionally, sera from animals that were infected with T. gondii or S. cruzi were negative. The rNcp29 ELISA developed here provides a specific and sensitive assay for detecting neosporosis in cattle.

SUBMITTER: Howe DK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC119992 | biostudies-literature | 2002 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Sensitive and specific identification of Neospora caninum infection of cattle based on detection of serum antibodies to recombinant Ncp29.

Howe Daniel K DK Tang Keliang K Conrad Patricia A PA Sverlow Karen K Dubey J P JP Sibley L David LD

Clinical and diagnostic laboratory immunology 20020501 3

Neosporosis is an economically important disease of dairy cattle caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum. Diagnostic tests for neosporosis are complicated by the potential for cross-reaction of antibodies to antigens that are similar between N. caninum and closely related parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis cruzi. To provide a sensitive and specific assay for detecting antibodies to N. caninum in the serum of infected animals, we have investigated a recombinant form of the antigen known ...[more]

PMID: 11986268

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Project description:IntroductionNeospora caninum is an important cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. Infection in cattle occurs horizontally by ingestion of oocysts shed by canids or vertically, from an infected dam to the fetus, and may result in abortion, stillbirth, or birth of seropositive offspring. The control of bovine neosporosis is difficult and costly. The objectives of this study were to estimate the current nationwide seroprevalence of N. caninum infections in Swiss cattle and to assess risk factors for infection with this parasite.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study with cattle farms randomly selected and stratified according to population size, resulting in a sample of 780 female cattle. The cattle originated from 161 farms distributed over all Switzerland. The serum samples were tested for antibodies against N. caninum using a commercial ELISA and if inconclusive, retested using an in-house immunoblot technique. To collect farm parameters relevant to N. caninum transmission and prevention, farm owners were mailed a questionnaire which addressed topics putatively related to N. caninum infection such as husbandry, history of abortion, and presence of dogs on farm. Univariate analysis by generalized linear mixed model (with animal seropositivity as outcome variable) and logistic regression modeling (with farm seropositivity as outcome variable) was conducted on farm parameters investigated in the questionnaire.ResultsBy ELISA and immunoblot, 4.2% (33/780) of cattle sera yielded positive results. At the farm level, 16.2% (26/161) of the sampled farms had at least one seropositive animal. The return rate of the valid questionnaires was 54.0%. At the animal level, odds for farm seropositivity were 3.8 times higher when rodents had been recorded by the farmer as a problem on the farm. At the farm-level, two protective factors were identified: rearing of replacement heifers and feeding of concentrated feed.ConclusionWe recorded a low seroprevalence of N. caninum in a random sample of Swiss cattle representative for the years 2017-2018. Based on a questionnaire survey, we could identify risk and protective factors for infection with N. caninum, however their biological relevance needs to be confirmed in further studies.

Dataset Information

Sensitive and specific identification of Neospora caninum infection of cattle based on detection of serum antibodies to recombinant Ncp29.

Publications

Sensitive and specific identification of Neospora caninum infection of cattle based on detection of serum antibodies to recombinant Ncp29.

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