Neospora caninum is a coccidian parasite related to Toxoplasma gondii. The dog is the definitive host, with sexual stages in the gut resulting in oocysts shed in faeces.
Cattle (an intermediate host species) are infected by ingesting feed contaminated by sporulated N caninum oocysts shed by dogs or by infected cattle tissues (eg infected foetal membranes), or are infected transplacentally.
The asexual proliferative stages of N caninum (including tissue cysts) cause:
Diagnosis is based on history, clinical signs, serology and histopathology. A histopathologic diagnosis is based on the detection of tissue cysts with associated necrosis and inflammation.
Test | Sample(s) required | Days of the week test is conducted | Turnaround time1 |
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Histopathology examination | Fixed tissue | Monday –Friday | Up to 5D |
Neospora antibody ELISA4 | Clotted blood (red top tube) and Foetal fluid | Batch tested weekly | Up to 7D |
Necropsy examination | Aborted foetus | Monday – Saturday3 | Same day |
Please Note: D= Working day(s), W= Week(s). TAT does not include weekends or public holidays.
1 Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.
2 Confirmation testing of positives may affect turnaround time
3 Prior approval of delivery and testing on Saturday is required. Please contact Customer Service on 1800 675 623 to seek approval.
4 This test is not NATA accredited.
In view of the widespread prevalence of subclinical neosporosis in cattle in coastal NSW areas, seropositivity in an aborted cow does not confirm Neospora abortion.
Aborted foetus |
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Foetal Fluid |
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Blood (without anti-coagulant) |
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Fixed tissue |
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Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.
NSW DPI's laboratories are committed to continual improvement of services. If you would like to provide feedback, please fill in and submit the online feedback form.
CONTACT DETAILS | |
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Phone | 1800 675 623 |
Operating Hours | 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only) |
Postal Address | Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567 |
For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request
For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957
For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103
Veterinary Specimen Advice Form
Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au) for more information.
For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.
For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.
Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the SVDL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.
Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).
Sample Type | Laboratory | Street Address |
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Animal (including aquatic animals) | NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL) | EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568 |