The prevalence and spatial clustering of Neospora caninum in dairy herds in Norway

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary parasitology 2010-05, Vol.170 (1), p.153-157
Main Authors: Klevar, S., Norström, M., Tharaldsen, J., Clausen, T., Björkman, C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and Dairy Science
Animals
antibodies
bulk milk
Cattle
cattle diseases
Cattle Diseases - epidemiology
Cattle Diseases - parasitology
Cluster Analysis
Coccidiosis - epidemiology
Coccidiosis - parasitology
Coccidiosis - veterinary
dairy cattle
Dairy herds
disease prevalence
ELISA
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Female
herd health
Husdjursvetenskap
Milk - parasitology
Neospora - isolation & purification
Neospora caninum
neosporosis
Norway
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Spatial analysis
spatial distribution
Veterinary Science
Veterinärmedicin
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Summary: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 Østfold 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 Jæren, on the south west coast of Norway. Jæren 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.
ISSN:0304-4017
1873-2550
1873-2550
DOI:10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.02.005