Current knowledge about neosporosis in Colombia.

This review includes most of the scientific articles regarding neosporosis in Colombia. Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that causes neuromuscular disorders in dogs and bovine abortions. Dogs, coyotes, wolves, and Australian dingoes are definitive host for N. caninum; however, only dogs are present in nature in South America. Colombia has a diverse topography and a significant livestock sector where neosporosis presents a potential threat to animal health and productivity. In dogs, seroprevalence studies suggest exposure to the parasite, but definitive diagnoses of clinical neosporosis remain lacking. Cattle show varying levels of seropositivity, with some studies reporting rates as high as 89%, particularly in herds with reproductive issues. Research on small ruminants is limited but indicates natural infections in sheep, while data on goats are absent. A single study in water buffaloes showed a high seroprevalence (73.3%). Equine infections have been reported, albeit at low levels. Molecular techniques like loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay on samples from bovine abortions and canine feces and quantitative PCR and sequencing on bovine blood from naturally infected dairy cattle have been successfully developed. The high seroprevalence in ruminants, coupled with the lack of standardized control programs, suggests a potentially underestimated economic impact. It is essential to conduct more research, improve diagnostic approaches, and establish national regulations, seeking to mitigate the significant economic impact that the disease has on the country’s livestock industry.