Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in dairy goats from northern South Africa : a preliminary study

Abstract

Neospora caninum is an intracellular protozoan parasite with a global distribution, known to cause abortions in livestock. This study aimed to determine N. caninum seroprevalence in dairy goats with a history of reproductive failure in South Africa. Blood samples were collected from 131 dairy goats across five farms in three provinces and tested for N. caninum antibodies using the commercial indirect ELISA (IDvet Screen® Neospora caninum), followed with confirmatory testing with western blot (WB). The ELISA detected antibodies in one goat (1/131) [95 % CI: 0–2.8 %], while no positives were detected by WB. While N. caninum infection and associated abortions do not currently pose a major concern, farmers are encouraged to perform surveillance for potential infections.