Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29052521›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2017

High seroprevalance of Neospora caninum in dogs in Victoria, Australia, compared to 20 years ago.

Sarah Sloan, Jan Šlapeta, Abdul Jabbar, Jaimie Hunnam, Bert De Groef, Grant Rawlin, Christina McCowan

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Seroprevalence ofAnimals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2026
    Article
  2. Serological detection ofOpen veterinary journal · 2025
    Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Review
  7. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sarah SloanVeterinary Pathobiology, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
Jan ŠlapetaSydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Abdul JabbarFaculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia.
Jaimie HunnamAgriculture and Resource Division, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
Bert De GroefDepartment of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
Grant RawlinVeterinary Pathobiology, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
Christina McCowanVeterinary Pathobiology, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Bundoora, VIC, Australia. christina.mccowan@ecodev.vic.gov.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2513-3235

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCanids are definitive hosts of the apicomplexan parasite Neospora caninum, the leading cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. For horizontal transmission from canids to occur, oocysts of N. caninum must be shed by the definitive host into the environment of susceptible intermediate hosts such as cattle. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of N. caninum in canids in Victoria, Australia's leading dairy producing state.

resultsNeospora-like oocysts were observed in 8% (18/234) of faecal samples from wild dogs, domestic dogs and red foxes from Victoria, Australia. However, none tested positive for N. caninum DNA using a quantitative PCR. In a separate sample population, blood sera from 483 domestic dogs were tested for anti-N. caninum antibodies using competitive ELISA. A subset of cELISA samples were re-tested using indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). A seroprevalence of 29.8% (144/483; 95% CI: 11.7-47.8%) was calculated when using cELISA; whereas it was 32.9% (27/80; 95% CI: 15.8-51.8%) using IFAT. Potential risk factors were evaluated using univariable analyses and then assessed in separate multivariable models. Using 'aged' dogs as a reference, the seroprevalence of 'adolescent' and 'adult' dogs was 88% (P = 0.05) and 91% (P = 0.08), respectively, indicating seroprevalence increases with age. There was a 19% higher likelihood of infection in rural locations (P = 0.10) relative to urban areas. Jack Russell Terriers had a 22% higher risk of a cELISA-positive result (P = 0.05) regardless of geographical location, age or sex.

conclusionThese results demonstrate that exposure to N. caninum in domestic dogs is widespread in Victoria, although faecal oocyst shedding is infrequent. Our results indicate increased N. caninum seroprevalance status in dogs over the past two decades. The results imply that dogs get either exposed to the infected meat more frequently or that vertical dam to foetus transmission is more frequent than previously thought. Our study calls for re-evaluation of historical N. caninum seroprevalance studies, because the attitude to dog diet changes.

Indexed as

AnimalsAnimals, WildAntibodies, ProtozoanCattleCoccidiosisDog DiseasesDogsEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayFecesFemaleFoxesMaleNeosporaOocystsPolymerase Chain ReactionPregnancyAntibodies, ProtozoanCanidDogELISAEpidemiologyFoxIFATNeospora caninumNeosporosisSeroprevalence

Identifiers

PMID29052521
PMCPMC5649066

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.