Neospora caninum infections in Australia and New Zealand

Objective To review the current state of knowledge of Neospora caninum infe ctions with particular reference to Australia and New Zealand. Procedure Several databases were searched electronically including Medline, Current Contents, Vet CD using several key words (Neospora caninum, neospo rosis, abortion, cattle, dogs) and authors names. References in original ar ticles were also traced and use made of the author's own original research in the field. Conclusion N caninum is recognised worldwide and is also widespread, in par ticular in dairy cattle, in Australia and New Zealand. It has been reported in both countries retrospectively (in dogs) from the early 1970s. Abortion storms in dairy herds appear to be the most common feature. Recent reports indicate that the dog is the definitive host, in which the sexual cycle is completed. Further studies are however required to establish important asp ects of the epidemiology, such as mode of transmission. In the absence of a n effective vaccine, the most effective control strategy is selective culli ng of infected animals and the prevention of access of dogs to expelled pla centas and foetuses and, possibly, to raw beef.