Studies on Neospora caninum and neosporosis in New Zealand cattle : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorOkeoma, Chioma Maureen
dc.date.accessioned2010-09-14T23:24:41Z
dc.date.availableNO_RESTRICTIONen_US
dc.date.available2010-09-14T23:24:41Z
dc.date.issued2005
dc.descriptionContent removed due to copyright restrictions: Okeoma, C. M., Stowell, K. M., Williamson, N. B., & Pomroy, W. E. (2005). Neospora caninum: Quantification of DNA in the blood of naturally infected aborted and pregnant cows using real-time PCR. Experimental Parasitology, 110(1), 48-55. Okeoma, C. M., Williamson, N. B., Pomroy, W. E., Stowell, K. M., & Gillespie, L. M. (2004). Isolation and molecular characterisation of neospora caninum in cattle in new zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 52(6), 364-370. Okeoma, C. M., Williamson, N. B., Pomroy, W. E., Stowell, K. M., & Gillespie, L. (2004). The use of PCR to detect neospora caninum DNA in the blood of naturally infected cows. Veterinary Parasitology, 122(4), 307-315. Okeoma, C. M., Williamson, N. B., Pomroy, W. E., & Stowell, K. M. (2004). Recognition patterns of neospora caninum tachyzoite antigens by bovine IgG at different IFAT titres. Parasite Immunology, 26(4), 177-185.en_US
dc.description.abstractThe objective of this research was to investigate neosporosis in New Zealand cattle using experimental and molecular tools. The research also aimed to isolate and characterise an indigenous New Zealand isolate of Neospora caninum. A series of discrete projects were conducted to achieve the set objectives. A pilot study was first conducted and a wild-type strain of non-cytopathic bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) type 1 virus was isolated in vitro from a persistently infected heifer. The isolate was used to challenge heifers and the effect of experimental BVDV infection on heifers naturally infected with N. caninum was investigated. Results showed that heifers that were both BVDV and N. caninum seropositive produced 44.4% (8/ 18) damcalf pairs that were both BVDV and N caninum seropositive. Serologically, 66.7% (12/18) dam-calf pairs were seropositive to N. caninum antibodies, while 80% (8/10) dam-calf pairs were BVDV seropositive. A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) study was also conducted and N. caninum DNA was detected in the blood of naturally infected aborting and pregnant heifers. Real-time quantification of N. caninum DNA in the blood of infected heifers showed a decrease of N. caninum DNA after abortion in the aborting group and an increase through gestation in the pregnant group. A study of antigenicity recognised 7 immunodominant (~18, ~25, ~33, ~35~36, ~45~46, ~47 and 60-62 kDa) and 5 minor antigens of N. caninum by cow sera. Three isolates of N. caninum (NcNZ 1 ,NcNZ 2 and NcNZ 3) were isolated from the brains of an infected cow, her calf and a stillborn calf. These isolates were confirmed as N. caninum by PCR, immunofluorescence antibody test and immunohistochemistry and were pathogenic to BALB/c mice.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10179/1643
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherMassey Universityen_US
dc.rightsThe Authoren_US
dc.subjectSarcocystidaeen_US
dc.subject.otherFields of Research::300000 Agricultural, Veterinary and Environmental Sciences::300400 Animal Production::300405 Animal production (pests and pathogens)en_US
dc.titleStudies on Neospora caninum and neosporosis in New Zealand cattle : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealanden_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
massey.contributor.authorOkeoma, Chioma Maureen
thesis.degree.disciplineAnimal Scienceen_US
thesis.degree.grantorMassey Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)en_US
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Thumbnail Image
Name:
02_whole.pdf
Size:
5 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Thumbnail Image
Name:
01_front.pdf
Size:
1.11 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
895 B
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Theses and Dissertations