HISTOPATOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON NEOSPOROSIS IN BOVINE FETUSES COMING FROM SLAUGHTERHOUSE

Objective. To determine the presence of lesions, antigens or evolved forms compatible with Neospora, through histopathological and immunohistochemical studies in the central nervous system of bovine fetuses from a slaughterhouse. Materials and methods. Samples of brain, spinal cord and cerebellum of 108 fetuses older than five months from a slaughterhouse in the Montería, Córdoba were studied. Histopathological studies were performed using coloration with hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical studies used the peroxidase anti-peroxidase technique. Results. Of 108 fetuses examined histopathologically, 27.8% had injuries consistent with the protozoan. Lesions were observed mainly in brain (24.1%) and to a lesser degree in the spinal cord (3.7%). Compatible lesions consisted of gliosis, meningitis, congestion and severe focal bleeding. Inmunihistochemical studies to detect tissue antigens of the etiologic agent were negative. Conclusions. We found histopathological alterations in central nervous system of bovine fetuses from the slaughterhouse, compatible with infection by the protozoan N. caninum. Immunohistochemical coloring for detection of the parasite was negative, however absence of the agent cannot be conclusively determined. We suggest conducting more specific techniques such as PCR.