From L. neo- = new, canis = dog and Gr. spora = seed.
Neospora caninum is a sporozoan parasite that was first described in 1984. It is a major pathogen of cattle and dogs but can also infect horses, goats, sheep, and deer. Antibodies to N. caninum have been found in humans, predominantly in those with HIV infection, although the role of this parasite in causing or exacerbating illness is unclear.