Neosporosis: An Overview of Its Molecular Epidemiology and Pathogenesis

Authors: Dubey, Jitender; KHAN, ASIS - National Institutes Of Health (NIH); SHAIK, JAHANGHEER - National Institutes Of Health (NIH); SIKORSKI, PATRICIA - National Institutes Of Health (NIH); GRIGG, MICHAEL - National Institutes Of Health (NIH)

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/22/2019
Publication Date: 8/7/2019
Citation: Dubey, J.P., Khan, A., Shaik, J.S., Sikorski, P., Grigg, M.E. 2019. Neosporosis: An Overview of Its Molecular Epidemiology and Pathogenesis. Book Chapter. 6:10-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2019.02.010.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2019.02.010

Interpretive Summary: Toxoplasmosis, caused by the single celled parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, continues to be a public health probem. In addition to causing severe disease in humans, toxoplasmosis also causes abortions in livestock and mortality in many other hosts. Neosporosis, caused by a parasite Neospora caninum, is relatively a newly recognized entity. Until 1988, N. caninum was misdiagnosed as T. gondii. In 1988, J.P. Dubey (an ARS researcher) in collaboration with others, cultivated and named the parasite N. caninum. Neosporosis is now considered the most important cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. Neospora also causes abortion and neurological signs in horses. Differential diagnosis of neosporosis from toxoplasmosis is often difficult. In the present paper, the authors review neosporosis in animals. This paper will be of interest to parasitologists, biologists and veterinarians.

Technical Abstract: This is an up-to-date review of Neospora infection in animals.