The role of the colostrum and milk in Neospora caninum transmission

Abstract

Neospora caninum, an apicomplexan protozoan causes economical losses due to reproductive failure associated with abortion among cattle. The transmission of N. caninum is possible through vertical transmission in utero, or according to the modern nomenclature endogenous and exogenous infection modes and horizontal transmission through ingestion of oocysts. Limited data is available on the vertical transmission during suckling time, via colostrum and milk. In this paper the main scientific aim focused on N. caninum DNA detection in the milk and colostrum of seropositive cows have been reviewed. In this term, the risk of animals and humans infection has been discussed. © 2007 Parasitological Institute of SAS, Košice.