First confirmed case of ovine neosporosis associated with fetal death in Greece.

Abstract

The role of Neospora caninum in ovine reproductive failures is often neglected. This study documents the first confirmed case of ovine neosporosis in Greece associated with fetal death. The investigation was prompted by reproduction problems on a farm raising Lacaune and Lacaune x Assaf dairy sheep in Northern Greece. A reduction in conception rate from 90 % to 85 % and increased incidence of embryonic losses and pyometras were recorded. During the investigation, an ewe with ultrasound (U/S)-diagnosed fetal death was blood sampled. Serology showed the presence of anti-N. caninum IgG serum antibodies using ELISA. Molecular testing for 10 common abortifacient agents resulted positive only for N. caninum DNA in the embryo's placentomes and brain. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of the placentomes further confirmed N. caninum as the causative agent. Our findings suggest that N. caninum infections in sheep may be underdiagnosed, emphasizing the need for veterinarians to include ovine neosporosis in their differential diagnosis of reproductive failures.