The first detection of Neospora caninum DNA in brains of calves in Poland

Abstract

The recognition of prevalence of Neospora caninum infections in Poland is very poor. Vertical transmission of N. caninum has been shown to be a major route of infection in cattle. In the present study we examined the utility of PCR methods in detecting Neospora caninum DNA in brains of calves born from mothers with a high titer of anti-Neospora antibodies. Conventional and nested PCR reactions were performed on DNA extracted from brain tissue of Neospora-suspected calves using primers complementary to sequences of ITS1 in Neospora caninum rRNA genes. Conventional PCR reactions employing a set of primers complementary to sequences flanking ITS1 using 10 ng of template DNA gave a single product of approximately 350 bp. Following single tube nested PCR a product of approximately 150 bp appeared.