Prevalence of Neospora spp. in donkeys in China

This study was conducted to detect specific anti-Neospora antibodies using a commercial competitive-inhibition ELISA kit, and to evaluate the risk factors for Neospora spp. infection. Out of a total of 2,228？donkey sera collected in three provinces in China, 211 (9.5%) were found to be positive for anti-Neospora antibodies. Statistical analysis revealed that age (p？=？0.019, OR？=？1.62, 95%CI: 1.08-2.44), feeding status (p？<？0.001, OR？=？3.79, 95%CI: 2.65-5.43), miscarriage history (p？=？0.006, OR？=？2.56, 95%CI: 1.27-4.01), and contact with dogs (p？<？0.001, OR？=？2.69, 95%CI: 1.86-3.88) were significant risk factors for Neospora spp. infection. This is the first evidence of Neospora infection in donkeys in China