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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #32599
Title: CANINE NEOSPOROSIS: CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Author
item RUEHLMANN DEBBIE - OHIO STATE UNIV
item PODELL MICHAEL - OHIO STATE UNIV
item OGLESBEE MICHAEL - OHIO STATE UNIV
item Dubey, Jitender

Submitted to: Journal of American Hospital Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/11/1994
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Neospora caninum is a recently recognized protozoan (single-celled) parasite of livestock and companion animals. It causes paralysis and death in dogs and abortion and neonatal mortality in cattle. Its life cycle and source of infection are unknown. Most cases of paralysis associated with neosporosis have been reported in young animals. Scientists at the Beltsville Agriculture Research Center and the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio report paralysis due to N. caninum in a 3 year old dog. They also review neosporosis in 117 other dogs reported in the literature. This paper will be useful to practicing veterinarians and diagnostic pathologists.

Technical Abstract: A three year-old intact female Vizsla presented for signs of an acute onset, progressive spinal cord disease. Postmortem examination revealed multifoca central nervous system lesions, severe pneumonia with pulmonary edema, and congestion of the liver. Protozoal cysts were found in multiple spinal cord and brainstem sections. Immunohistochemical staining positively identified these cysts as Neospora caninum. A literature review of Neospora caninum infection in the dog is presented with respect to age and breed of 117 reported cases. A summary of the pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnostic evaluation, treatment success and pathology associated with canine neosporosis is presented to provide the clinician with an overview of this increasingly prevalent disease.