Serological evidence of Neospora caninum in alpacas from eastern Australia

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate if there was any serological evidence of Neospora caninum in alpaca populations in south-eastern Australia.

Methods and results: Serum samples from 100 alpacas were collected from four farms. All serum samples were screened for N. caninum antibodies using a commercially available competitive ELISA. Of the 100 alpacas sampled, 3 were suspect seropositive for N. caninum.

Conclusion: There is natural N. caninum seroprevalence in alpacas in south-eastern Australia; however, it remains undetermined whether or not this infection is currently contributing to reproductive failure in alpacas in Australia.

Keywords: ELISA; Neospora caninum; alpacas; serology.