Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in feral swine (Sus scrofa) in the United States.

The protozoon Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. Canids ( Canis familiaris , Canis latrans , Canis lupus ) are definitive hosts whereas many other animal species, including pigs, are intermediate hosts for the parasite. Between 2012 and 2014, serum samples from 1059 feral swine ( Sus scrofa ) from 29 states of the USA were tested for N. caninum antibodies, using the N. caninum agglutination test (NAT). Of these, 159 (15.0%) feral pigs from 21 states tested positive, with a range of titers of 1:25 (cut-off) (n = 153), 1:200 (1), 1:400 (1), 1:800 (3) and 1:3200 (1). Results indicate widespread exposure of feral swine to N. caninum infection across the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]