Seroprevalence of Antibodies Against Neospora Caninum in Cows in Van Province

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum by cELISA among cows in Van province in Turkey. As material; 450 cows consisting of Brown Swiss, Simmental, Holstein, native species and crossbreds of these and given birth before at least one time were used. Approximately 7 ml blood sample was drawn from the jugular vein of each animal into the plain tubes. Sera obtained from the blood samples were stored at -20 degrees C and processed using a commercial N. caninum antibody test kit (cELISA; VMRD, Inc.) after two mounts from the last sampling. Inhibitions >= 30% were interpreted as seropositive and inhibitions < 30% were interpreted as seronegative. Seroprevalence of antibodies against N. caninum in cows in Van province was 4.88% as a general average. Seropositive sample rate of the central districts was higher than the rate of central villages, 10.66% vs. 3.73%. On the other hand, seropositive sample rate of the animals came to the animal hospital from the central villages was higher than the rate of animals sampled in their places, 8.06% vs. 2.87%. In conclusion, the seroprevalence of N. caninum among cows in Van province in Turkey is lower or higher than those of some other provinces in Turkey and countries or regions in the world. The reason of this may be different cattle breeds, breeding systems and animal traffic among regions or countries. Along with main control measurements to contain N. caninum infection, diagnosing and culling of seropositive animals would give helpful results.