Equine neosporosis review

Abstract

Neosporosis is caused by the parasites Neospora caninum and Neospora hughesi, which are obligate intracellular protozoa. Abortion and neonatal disease, visceral and central nervous system disease due to Neospora have been reported in horses.
Antibodies to Neospora sp. in equine populations were reported in clinically normal horses from the USA, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, South Korea, France, Italy and Sweden, and the seroprevalence has been reported from 1 to 47% of healthy horses. Dogs and coyotes are definitive host of N. caninum and the definitive host of
N. hughesi is unknown. Cases of clinical neosporosis have been reported and it is uncertain in these instances whether N. caninum, N. hughesi, or both were responsible. Further studies are required to differentiate N. hughesi and N. caninum serologically and identify the relative contributions of these parasites to equine
neurological disease and reproductive failure. This paper reviews information about equine neosporosis, parasites, epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and the immunity.