[Bovine neosporosis: general concepts, immunity and perspectives for vaccination]

Rev Argent Microbiol. 2005 Oct-Dec;37(4):217-28.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Neospora caninum causes abortions in cattle worldwide. The Neospora-cycle of life is heteroxenous. Dogs (Canis familiaris) and coyotes (Canis latrans) are the definitive hosts known at present. Although, transplacental infection is an efficiently mode of transmission in cattle; there are also experimental and field data that prove horizontal transmission. Several techniques are available for diagnosis since neosporosis is recognized as a disease that causes economic losses in cattle. The mechanisms that produce the abortion are not completely understood. The immunomodulation observed during the pregnancy, is associated with a susceptible period where Neospora-abortion can occur. Resistance to the parasite is dependent on T helper cell 1 cytokine responses. This has important repercussions for pregnant female bovine because strong T helper cell 1 cytokine responses are incompatible with successful pregnancy. However, it was demonstrated that chronically infected cows develop immune mechanisms against the abortion caused by a second Neospora-exposure. The comprehension of those mechanisms is needed for the formulation of Neospora-vaccines that prevent bovine neosporosis. General concepts about neosporosis with emphasis in the immune response and perspectives for vaccination are mentioned in the present review.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology
  • Abortion, Veterinary / etiology*
  • Abortion, Veterinary / immunology
  • Abortion, Veterinary / parasitology
  • Abortion, Veterinary / prevention & control
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / immunology
  • Argentina / epidemiology
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cattle Diseases / immunology
  • Cattle Diseases / parasitology*
  • Cattle Diseases / prevention & control
  • Coccidiosis / diagnosis
  • Coccidiosis / epidemiology
  • Coccidiosis / immunology
  • Coccidiosis / parasitology
  • Coccidiosis / prevention & control
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary*
  • Coccidiostats
  • Dog Diseases / parasitology
  • Dog Diseases / transmission
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Life Cycle Stages
  • Neospora* / growth & development
  • Neospora* / immunology
  • Neospora* / isolation & purification
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / parasitology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / prevention & control
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / veterinary*
  • Protozoan Vaccines / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Vaccination / veterinary

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Coccidiostats
  • Protozoan Vaccines