A European perspective on Neospora caninum

Citation
A. Hemphill et B. Gottstein, A European perspective on Neospora caninum, INT J PARAS, 30(8), 2000, pp. 877-924
Citations number
232
Categorie Soggetti
Biology,Microbiology
Journal title
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
ISSN journal
00207519 → ACNP
Volume
30
Issue
8
Year of publication
2000
Pages
877 - 924
Database
ISI
SICI code
0020-7519(200007)30:8<877:AEPONC>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
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.