Diagnosis of Infectious Causes of Bovine Abortion

Abstract

Identifying the cause for a client's herd abortion problem is often a challenge for both practitioners and veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Our success can be improved with an investigation that involves evaluation of the herd situation coupled with thorough, systematic sampling and accurate interpretation of laboratory results. The material to be presented is intended to provide information on sampling for abortion diagnosis and some of the test procedures available at most diagnostic laboratories. Bovine abortion surveys reveal that most of the identified causes are attributed to a moderate number of infectious agents. The specific types of infectious abortion identified in different regions may vary, presumably due to climate, production types, management practices and geographic factors. Also, the type of sampling and diagnostic procedures performed may influence the types of abortions identified. Some causes of abortion have declined in prevalence with improved control measures and, with new knowledge and diagnostic procedures, causes such as Neospora infection have emerged as significant causes of abortion. The diagnostic features of some of the most significant infectious causes of bovine abortion identified by veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States will be discussed.