Serology-Based Diagnostics for the Control of Bovine Neosporosis

The protozoan Neospora caninum is a primary infectious cause of abortion in cattle that causes significant economic losses worldwide. Because effective vaccines and licensed pharmacological treatments are currently unavailable, control measures rely on biosecurity and management practice. Serological diagnosis plays a crucial role in the identification of infected animals and several tests have been developed. However, owing to the particular dynamics of the host–parasite interaction and to the characteristics of the currently used diagnostic tools, a proportion of infected cattle may not be reliably identified, and can potentially undermine efforts towards the control of bovine neosporosis. Current diagnostic methods for N. caninum infection in cattle and the advances necessary to support effective control strategies are discussed.

TrendsSerological diagnosis followed by appropriate management decisions is currently the only option to control bovine neosporosis.A proportion of infected animals test negative with current serological assays.Serologically elusive animals could potentially undermine control programmes.Improvement of the serological tests currently employed is required for the reliable identification of serologically elusive animals.