Abstract

Neospora caninum (N. caninum) is an abortifacient protozoa infecting cattle  throughout the world, though it has not been identified as of common occurrence in the state of Kerala. The study of prevalence of neosporosis in cattle was undertaken to assess its role in abortion. A total of 50 blood samples collected from cattle that had aborted, were tested using Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test to detect N.caninum antibodies. The overall prevalence of N. caninum was found to be 18 per cent (14/50). The prevalence of the organism in cattle in organised farms was detected as 5.26 per cent (1/19) while in households it reached 41.9 per cent (13/33). Higher proportion of seropositivity was observed in animals that had. borted during the second stage of gestation.

Keywords : Neospora caninum, Abortion, Cattle, Kerala