Detection of Neospora caninum in the blood of Korean native cattle and dairy cows using PCR

Lee, Sang-Eun; Lee, Jung-Youn

Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 2008;48(2):191-195.

Sang-Eun Lee, Jung-Youn Lee

Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University

한우와 젖소에서 PCR을 이용한 혈액내 Neospora caninum 검출

이상은, 이정연

충남대학교 동물의과학연구소

Abstract

This study was performed to detect Neospora caninum in blood of 61 Korean native cattle and 50 dairy cows in Chungnam province. All of them were healthy and did not show any clinical signs. DNA was isolated from blood samples and a 328 bp fragment was amplified by PCR using primer pair Np21 and Np6. The PCR positive rate was 14.8% in Korean native cattle and 0% in dairy cows. Cows with 15.6% were a little higher than bulls with 12.5% in gender. The detection rate of over 3-year-old Korean native cattle was 28.6% in age. The results demonstrate that N. caninum DNA can be detected in blood by PCR. PCR analysis in blood may be useful to annually screening test for N. caninum infection in clinically healthy cattle.

Key Words: blood, Korean native cattle, Neospora caninum, PCR