Neosporosis

Description

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:

  • Abortion in cattle (world-wide, including coastal NSW) and congenital neonatal neurological disease in cattle (rarely)
  • Neospora abortion is reported in deer (rarely)
  • Rarely, neurological disease in the dog

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

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.

Tests available

Test

Sample(s) required

Days of the week test is conducted

Turnaround time1

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.

Note

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.

Additional Information

Specimen requirements

Aborted foetus
  • Whole aborted foetus with placental membranes.
    • Submit chilled.
Foetal Fluid
  • 2 ml (preferably) pericardial or pleural rather than heart blood or peritoneal fluid which are more likely to be contaminated.

    • Submit chilled.
Blood (without anti-coagulant)
  • 10ml of blood collected into a plain red top tube.
    • Submit chilled.
Fixed tissue
  • Brain, lung, heart, skeletal muscle, liver, lymphoid tissues and adrenal gland.
    • Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue.

Customer Service

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

Phone1800 675 623
Email

laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au

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

Quotations

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

Submission Forms

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.

Courier services and specimen delivery

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

Animal (including aquatic animals)

NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)

EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568