Original scientific paper

A molecular and serological study of Neospora caninum infection in pigeons from southwest Iran.

Somayeh Bahrami ; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
Zahra Boroomand ; Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
Ali R. Alborzi ; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
Mehdi Namavari ; Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Shiraz, Iran
Seyyede B. Mousavi ; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite with worldwide distribution, mainly implicated as responsible for bovine abortion. There are indications that the presence of birds on cattle farms could be associated with the increase in seroprevalence and abortions related to N. caninum. The present study reports the serological (Neospora agglutination test) and molecular (PCR) presence of N. caninum in pigeons. From the 102 samples analyzed, 31 samples (30.39%) were seropositive for N. caninum and the overall molecular prevalence of N. caninum in the brains of the same pigeons was 9.8% (10/102). This is the first report of detection of N. caninum in Iranian pigeons. The results indicate soil contamination due to N. caninum oocysts, because pigeons feed from the ground, and suggest that the meat from the pigeons may be an important source for infection of dogs.

Keywords

Neospora caninum; Neospora agglutination test (NAT); PCR; pigeons; Iran

Hrčak ID:

170220

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/170220

Publication date:

22.11.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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