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Abstract
The association of Neospora caninum infections with cattle families was examined in
a dairy cattle herd with sporadic abortions using three different serological tests.
Cattle seropositive for N. caninum clustered in six families, three of which encountered
abortions. In absence of age-related differences in the N. caninum seroprevalence,
the family association of N. caninum infection indicated that congenital infection
represented the predominant route of transmission in this herd. Fourteen (93%) out
of 15 descendants of 10 seropositive cows were seropositive themselves. Only one female
calf of a seropositive cow remained seronegative and gave birth to a calf which was
tested seronegative again. Only one seronegative cow that had two seronegative descendants
also gave birth to one seropositive calf. This was the only indication for potential
postnatal transmission that occurred in the herd. The results of this study suggest
that the N. caninum-infection can be maintained over several generations at a nearly
constant prevalence level, apparently without a need for dispersion by an definitive
host.