NEOSPORA
TESTING
Neospora
- Abortions associated with Neospora occur mid-gestation. Dogs are definitive hosts, capable of shedding oocysts in feces after eating infected tissue. Oocysts are able to survive in soil and water beyond the decomposition of the feces. Cattle become infected by ingesting oocysts.
- Infection can also pass vertically from dam to fetus in cattle
Sample Types
- Milk (fresh, frozen or preserved)
- Serum (fresh)
Timing
- Test individuals or groups of aborting and non-aborting cows to associate Neospora with abortions
Results
- Available within 5 days of sample receipt
- Reported as Positive or Negative
| Test Type | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Milk ELISA | >0.15 | <0.15 |
| Bulk Milk ELISA | >0.15 | <0.15 |
| Blood ELISA | >0.5 | <0.5 |
- Additional diagnostic evaluation may be necessary with a positive result.
- To investigate Neosporosis as a cause for abortions in a herd, quantitative group comparisons between ‘aborting’ and ‘non‐aborting’ groups is recommended. If a statistically significant association exists between a positive antibody response in the ‘aborting’ group compared to the ‘non‐aborting’ group, it is highly probably that N. caninum is an active cause for abortion in the dairy herd.
- Probability values less than 0.10 indicate a likely causative relationship.
Price
- Individual ELISA (milk, blood) $6.50/sample
- Multiple test discount! $11 for two ELISAs on same sample; $15.00 for 3 ELISAs
- Testing billed upon sample receipt
- $10 sample submission fee per order
Submit Samples
- Send direct
- Talk to your DHI Specialist
Additional Information
CentralStar Laboratories
CentralStar’s Laboratories provide sample analyses on milk, blood, fecal, and tissue samples for a variety of production, disease and health-related traits.
More than 5.3 million samples are processed annually using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques including infrared spectroscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA, PCR, and more.
Diagnostic tests are intended to identify diseases in the cow for their health, and do not determine the “safety” of milk. Testing prices listed effective 10/1/2020.
How To Collect a Blood Sample for Serum Tests
Supplies Needed:
- Vacutainer® Vial
- Double-sided needle
- Needle holder
Be sure to check which type of vial is required for your desired test type.
- Red-top vials: Pregnancy, Johne’s, Leukosis, BVD and Neospora.
- Purple-top vials: A1/A2 and BLV SSI PCR.
Step 1:
Screw needle into needle holder
Insert the Vacutainer vial into the holder
DO NOT puncture the vial stopper
Step 2:
Lift the tail straight up and clean area
Find the midline groove 4 to 6 inches from the base of the tail
Insert the needle about ¼ inch into the groove, perpendicular to the underside of the tail
Step 3:
Engage the vacuum by pressing the vial up puncturing the stopper
If blood does not flow, carefully redirect the needle
DO NOT remove the needle from the tail
Step 4:
Once blood begins to flow maintain needle position
Collect a minimum of 4cc of blood
Step 5:
Disengage the vial from the holder BEFORE removing needle from the tail
Step 6:
Clearly label vials with animal identification
Fill out a sample submission form
Step 7:
Keep vials at room temperature to allow clotting (1 to 2 hours)
Once clotted, keep samples refrigerated until submitted to the lab