Seroprevalence of antibodies against neospora caninum in père david's deer (elaphurus davidianus) in beijing

Abstract： Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan protozoan that causes neuromuscular disease in canids and abortion in cattle worldwide. In China, sera from 49 Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) were investigated for the presence of antibodies against N. caninum using indirect fluorescence antibody tests (IFAT) and western blots. N. caninum antibodies were found in 26.53% (13 positive/49 tested) of the Père David's deer according IFAT and the western blots. Western blot analysis revealed there was seroreactivity against immunodominant N. caninum antigens, and the bands were 16, 25, and 37 kDa in size together with other visible bands. This is the first study of antibodies against N. caninum in Père David's deer from China.