Detection of Neospora caninum DNA by the polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

Neospora caninum is a cyst-forming coccidian parasite which is now recognised as a major cause of abortion and neonatal mortality in cattle and other livestock. This study describes the primary DNA structure of the transcribed spacer region of the rDNA of N. caninum. Of importance is that the sequence data generated have been used to develop a species-specific PCR test for N. caninum DNA, which will prove valuable in epidemiology studies on neosporosis.