Detection of Neosporium Caninium in aborted fetuses in a dairy farm in Alexandria governorate

A dairy Holstein cattle farm complained of cases of abortion at late 
stages of pregnancy (7 to 9 months) 75/500 pregnant cows (15%). 
The farm regularly vaccinated for BVDV, IBR, and Leptospira with 
the cattle master vaccine (Zoetis). Additionally, no positive reactors 
were recorded during routine testing by the rose Bengal 
agglutination test for bovine brucellosis. A total of 3 aborted fetuses 
were sent to the infectious diseases laboratory, Suez Canal 
University for laboratory testing. The internal organs (Brain, liver, 
lung, and lymph nodes) were collected from the fetuses and tested 
by quantitative PCR for BVDV, BHV-1, Brucellosis, and 
leptospirosis; and nested PCR for Neopsorium caninum (N. 
caninum). The tested samples were negative for BVDV, BHV-1, 
Leptospira and Brucella but, positive for N. caninum. The further 
sequencing of positive samples confirmed infection by N. caninum. 
The farm owner stated that there are about 15 dogs reared on the 
same farm and their feces may contaminate the silage. Also, the 
cases of abortion decreased after removal of dogs from the farm