Prevalence of Neospora caninum in cows and sheep in Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

This study determined the prevalence of Neospora caninum in cows and sheep in Kyrgyzstan, as well as the incidence of this parasite in infertile cows and sheep that had aborted. For this purpose, 507 cows and 502 sheep from commercial farms in different regions of the country were investigated. Individual blood samples were taken from all sheep and cows. The animals included 70 sheep that had aborted, 104 normal pregnant sheep, 173 newly parturient sheep, and 155 infertile sheep, as well as 36 cows that had aborted, 244 normal pregnant cows, 140 fresh cows, and 87 repeat-breeder cows. The levels of N. caninum antibodies in the blood samples were determined using a commercial ELISA kit. N. caninum positivity was observed in 5.38% of sheep, including 4.29% of sheep that had aborted, 1.04% of normal pregnant sheep, 9.82% of newly parturient sheep, and 3.87% of infertile sheep. N. caninum positivity was detected in 11.05% of cows, including 25.00% of cows that had aborted, 11.48% of normal pregnant cows, 1.39% of fresh cows, and 19.54% of repeat-breeder cows. In summary, the rate of N. caninum seropositivity was higher in cows than in sheep, and the parasite was more frequently detected in cows with a history of abortion and repeat breeding, highlighting the need for effective preventive and control measures.