Abstract

The aims of this study were to estimate the national herd prevalence and the general spatial distribution of Neospora caninum infection in Norwegian dairy cattle. Bulk milk samples from 1657 randomly selected dairy herds were analysed by iscom ELISA for the presence of N. caninum specific antibodies. The national herd prevalence was estimated to be 0.7% (95% CI: 0.3-1.2%), which is the lowest national herd prevalence reported in Europe. In addition, we included a subpopulation study in which all 400 herds in the Oslo, Akershus and Ostfold counties were sampled, and we found a herd prevalence of 1.8%. In the national herd study, a significant cluster of N. caninum infected herds was identified in jaeren, on the south west coast of Norway. Jaeren has the highest density of farm animals in the country as well as climatic conditions that favour parasite survival. Dairy herds in this region had a 52 times higher relative risk of being N. caninum positive than dairy herds in other parts of Norway. This indicates that even though N. caninum infection is of minor importance in Norway, infection might cause abortion problems in high risk areas. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Neospora caninum; Dairy herds; Norway; Spatial analysis; ELISA

Published in

Veterinary Parasitology
2010, Volume: 170, number: 1-2, pages: 153-157
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

SLU Authors

• Björkman, Camilla

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.02.005

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/59796