Neosporosis in a pup

Authors: Thornton RN, Reichel MP, Schares G, Morgan PL, Mills RJM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 46, Issue 3, pp 106-110, Jun 1998
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Companion animal, Dog
Subject Terms: Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Locomotor, Disease/defect, Protozoa, Infectious disease, Pathology, Reproduction
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract: CASE:  A 13-week-old female boxer pup was found to be suffering from rigidity of the left hindleg. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment over a 3-week period failed to improve the condition and the pup was humanely killed.
METHODS:  Serological examination for Neospora antibodies was carried out by the indirect fluorescent antibody test and for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies with a latex agglutination test. A variety of tissues were examined histologically, and the central nervous system by immunohistochemistry and the polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS:  The IFAT for anti-Neospora antibodies showed a titre of 1:5 1 200 in the clinically affected pup while the latex agglutination test for Toxoplasma antibodies was negative. The dam and one of two tested litter-mates had anti-Neospora IFAT titres of 1: 1600, the other litter mate was negative. All three were not clinically affected. Histological, immunohistochemical and polymerase chain reaction examinations of the affected pup confirmed the diagnosis of Neospora infection.
CONCLUSION: In the live animal, serological examination is thought to be the most useful specific test. Post-mortem examination by traditional histology, immunohistochemistry and the polymerase chain reaction confirmed the diagnosis. The case is discussed in the context of present knowledge about Neospora infection in New Zealand.

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