author(s)
Azhar Ali Faraj An and Haider Hadi Ghattof

abstract
The current study designed to detection of Neospora caninum antibodies in goat milk in different areas of Wasit-province in Iraq, milk samples were collected from 74 dairy goats in different regions through November 2014- April 2015. The results recorded total infection rate of parasite 18.91% (14/74) with significant differences by using Indirect Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). The histopathological examination revealed significant lesions in different internal organs; heart, lung, liver, brain, thymus for aborted goat fetus (in 90 day gestation) and placentom of naturally infected dam. The main lesions were described in these tissues; represented chronic infection reaction of MNCs (mainly monocytes and macrophages), perivascular cuffing around congested blood vessels, and atrophic necrosis of infected tissues. Most tissue sections revealed presence of cystic-like appearance of parasitic infection with thick wall and contained different stage of life cycle with cellular debris or diffusely present. The present study was considered as the first report about detection neosporosis in dairy goats in Iraq.