Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii as causes of reproductive losses in commercial sheep flocks from Argentina

Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii affect both humans and animals worldwide. To investigate their seroprevalence and differences in seropositivity between pigs vaccinated and unvaccinated against porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2), as well as differences in muscle enzyme activity between seropositive and seronegative pigs, blood samples were collected from 380 sows. Antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum were detected by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) assay, while the activities of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were biochemically assessed. Out of the 364 sows finally included in the study, 4.4%, 3.5%, and 0.5% were seropositive to T. gondii, N. caninum, or both. A significantly higher percentage of seropositivity against T. gondii and/or N. caninum in PCV2 unvaccinated pigs compared with vaccinated pigs was observed. Increased serum activities of CK and AST were detected in 71.43% and 100% of only against T. gondii (T+) and 63.64% and 90.91% of only against N. caninum (N+) seropositive sows, respectively, and were significantly higher compared to seronegative animals. T. gondii and N. caninum seropositivity, especially in presumed immunocompromised pigs, and the evidence of muscle damage highlight their importance as a zoonotic pathogen and animal model of human infection, respectively.

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Cytologic detection of Toxoplasma gondii in the cerebrospinal fluid of a dog and in vitro isolation of a unique mouse-virulent recombinant strain

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/1040638721996685 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104063872199668

Author(s):

Waléria Borges-Silva ◽

Mariana M. Rezende-Gondim ◽

Gideão S. Galvão ◽

Daniele S. Rocha ◽

George R. Albuquerque ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Recombinant Strain ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Species Identity ◽

Cytologic Examination ◽

Pcr Rflp ◽

Tissue Homogenates

Parasites resembling Neospora caninum or Toxoplasma gondii were detected by cytologic examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a dog with neurologic disease. The dog became severely ill and was euthanized. Canine tissue homogenates were used for direct parasite isolation in cell culture, bioassay in 2 mouse lineages, and PCR. T. gondii was isolated in monkey kidney cells, and species identity was confirmed by PCR. Inoculated parasites were highly virulent for mice, which developed clinical signs and were euthanized immediately. PCR-RFLP for T. gondii using the cultured isolate (TgDgBA22) was conducted with 12 genetic markers, and a unique recombinant strain was identified. Detection of T. gondii by CSF cytology, although described in humans, had not been reported previously in dogs, to our knowledge, and was crucial for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in the examined dog.

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Occurrence of antibodies against Neospora caninum and/or Toxoplasma gondii in dogs with neurological signs

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612011000300004 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 202-206 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nicolle Fridlund Plugge ◽

Fabiano Montiani Ferreira ◽

Rosária Regina Tesoni de Barros Richartz ◽

Adriana de Siqueira ◽

Rosangela Locatelli Dittrich

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Neurological Diseases ◽

Fluorescent Antibody ◽

Antibody Test ◽

Metropolitan Region ◽

Serological Tests ◽

Stray Dogs ◽

Neurological Signs ◽

Significant Difference

This study aimed to evaluate occurrences of antibodies against Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in dogs with neurological signs. Blood samples from 147 dogs were collected: 127 from owned dogs (attended at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Paraná (HV-UFPR) and at private veterinary clinics in the city of Curitiba), and 20 from stray dogs found in Curitiba's metropolitan region. The dogs presented one or more of the following neurological signs: seizures, paresis or paralysis, ataxia, behavioral abnormalities, sensory and somatic disorders and chorioretinitis. The samples were analyzed by means of the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), at a cutoff dilution of 1:50. Out of the 147 samples obtained, 17 (11.56%) were seropositive for N. caninum, 31 (21.08%) for T. gondii and four (2.72%) for both protozoa. Serum titration on the positive animals showed that 54.83% (17/31) and 41.18% (7/17) had titers > 1:200 against T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. A significant difference in seropositivity for T. gondii (P = 0.021; OR = 2.87; CI = 1.1 > 2.8 > 7.4) was observed between owned dogs (18.11%) and stray dogs (40%). Inclusion of serological tests for neosporosis and toxoplasmosis is recommended in diagnosing neurological diseases in dogs.

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Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in the South American Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) From the City of São Paulo, Brazil

Journal of Parasitology ◽

10.1645/ge-83r ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 89 (4) ◽

pp. 870-871 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

L. E O. Yai ◽

W. A. Cañon-Franco ◽

V. C. Geraldi ◽

M. E L. Summa ◽

M. C G. O. Camargo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

South American ◽

São Paulo ◽

The South ◽

American Opossum ◽

The City

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Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum antibodies in Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica)

The Veterinary Journal ◽

10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.11.011 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 191 (2) ◽

pp. 257-260 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

I. García-Bocanegra ◽

O. Cabezón ◽

M. Pabón ◽

F. Gómez-Guillamón ◽

A. Arenas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Capra Pyrenaica

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in feral cats (Felis silvestris catus) in Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Veterinary Parasitology ◽

10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.07.014 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 165 (3-4) ◽

pp. 323-326 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Javier Millán ◽

Oscar Cabezón ◽

Marcela Pabón ◽

J.P. Dubey ◽

Sonia Almería

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Balearic Islands ◽

Felis Silvestris ◽

Felis Silvestris Catus ◽

Feral Cats

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Importance of serological cross-reactivity amongToxoplasma gondii, Hammondiaspp.,Neosporaspp.,Sarcocystisspp. andBesnoitia besnoiti

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182017000063 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 144 (7) ◽

pp. 851-868 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

LUÍS F. P. GONDIM ◽

JOSÉ R. MINEO ◽

GEREON SCHARES

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Besnoitia Besnoiti ◽

Cross Reactions ◽

Epidemiological Surveys ◽

Specific Proteins ◽

Specific Antigens ◽

Species Specific

SUMMARYToxoplasma gondii, Neosporaspp.,Sarcocystisspp.,Hammondiaspp. andBesnoitia besnoitiare genetically related cyst-forming coccidia. Serology is frequently used for the identification ofT. gondii, Neosporaspp. andB. besnoiti-exposed individuals. Serologic cross-reactions occur in different tests among animals infected withT. gondiiandH. hammondi,as well as among animals infected byT. gondiiandN. caninum. Infections caused byN. caninumandN. hughesiare almost indistinguishable by serology.Neospora caninum, B. besnoitiandSarcocystisspp. infections in cattle show some degree of serologic cross-reactivity. Antibody cross-reactivity betweenNeosporaspp. andH. heydorni-infected animals is suspected, but not proven to occur. We review serologic cross-reactivity among animals and/or humans infected withT. gondii, Neosporaspp.,Sarcocystisspp.,Hammondiaspp. andB. besnoiti. Emphasis is laid upon antigens and serological methods forN. caninumdiagnosis which were tested for cross-reactivity with related protozoa. Species-specific antigens, as well as stage-specific proteins have been identified in some of these parasites and have promising use for diagnosis and epidemiological surveys.

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