Since the identification of Neospora caninum in 1984 as a parasite separate
from Tosoplasma gondii by Bjerkas et al., and its subsequent characterizat
ion and classification in 1988 by Dubey and co-workers, this parasite has a
ttracted increasing attention, primarily as an important causative agent of
abortion in cattle and neuromuscular disease in dogs, but also as a comple
mentary model system to T. gondii for investigating the basic biology of in
tracellular parasitism. During November 11-14, 1999, the COST 820 Annual me
eting (Vaccines against coccidioses) took place in Interlaken, Switzerland.
Almost half of the papers presented at that meeting were on N. caninum and
neosporosis, reflecting the increasing awareness of the importance of this
parasite on part of the scientific community in Europe. On the occasion of
the meeting, participants in this COST Action involved in Neospora researc
h in Europe were asked to participate in this invited review in order to do
cument the growing interest in N. caninum and the disease it causes. Thus,
this paper is a unique collection of contributions provided by several Euro
pean experts in the field. It is comprised of 10 reviews or original papers
on different aspects of Neospora research including epidemiology. immunolo
gy, application and development of serological tools, and molecular charact
erisation of the parasite currently carried out throughout Europe. In addit
ion, two distinguished invited speakers from overseas (Milton McAllister an
d John Ellis) provided valuable contributions. This invited review demonstr
ates that the COST 820 Action has brought together scientists from all over
Europe and other parts of the world, and has laid the basis for many fruit
ful collaborations. The studies described here: will contribute in assessin
g the relevance of neosporosis as a potential risk factor not only for anim
als, but also for human health. (C) 2000 Australian Society for Parasitolog
y Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.