Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in farmed sika deer (Cervus nippon) in China

- First report of Neospora caninum infection in sika deer in China.
- Neospora caninum seroprevalence in sika deer in China was 13.6% in 2013 and 15.8% in 2014.
- The prevalence of N. caninum in sika deer aged >4 years (20.4%) was significantly higher than in the age ranges <2 years (9.6%) and 2-4 years (11.4%) (P < 0.01).
- Sika deer in herds with a history of miscarriage (41.9%) had a significantly higher seroprevalence than in those without (12.6%) (P < 0.01).

Neospora caninum is a worldwide protozoan that can induce neuromuscular disease in dogs and reproductive failure in domestic and wild ruminants. The objective of the present investigation was to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum infection in farmed sika deer in China as little is known of this host-parasite relationship. A total of 1800 serum samples were collected during 2013 and 2014 from farmed sika deer in the major production areas of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces.Assay by ELISA for N. caninum antibodies indicated a seroprevalence of 13.6% in 2013 and 15.8% in 2014, varying in different regions from 9.5% to 27.5%. Statistical analysis revealed that prevalence in animals aged >4 years (20.4%) was significantly higher than in the age ranges <2 years (9.6%) and 2-4 years (11.4%) (P < 0.01). Moreover, sika deer in herds with a history of miscarriage (41.9%) had a significantly higher seroprevalence than in those without (12.6%) (P < 0.01). The present survey confirms that N. caninum does occur in farmed sika deer in China and provides base-line data for the design and evaluation of measures for its control and prevention in this host.