Investigating the role of wild carnivores in the epidemiology of bovine neosporosis

SUMMARYNeospora caninumis a protozoan parasite, primarily associated with bovine abortion. The only definitive hosts discovered to date are carnivores. This study aimed to identify the role of mammalian carnivores in the epidemiology of bovine neosporosis. A sample bank of serum, fecal and brain samples was established: American mink (Mustela vison), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), pine martens (Martes martes), badgers (Meles meles), stoats (Mustela erminea), otters (Lutra lutra) and feral ferrets (Mustela putorius). Approximately 1% of mink and 1% of fox samples were positive by IFAT. According to PCR analysis of DNA extracted from brain tissue, 3% of the mink, 4% of the otters and 6% of the foxes examined were infected withN. caninum.All fecal samples tested negative forN. caninumDNA (n = 311), suggesting that the species that tested positive were intermediate not definitive hosts. This is the first time that tissues from mustelids have tested positive forN. caninum. The need to test 2 relatively large (∼200 mg) targeted parts of the brain to avoid false negatives was also identified. The relatively low prevalence ofN. caninumin Irish carnivores suggests that the local ecology of a species has an important influence on its epidemiological role.

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Endogenous and exogenous transplacental transmission of Neospora caninum – how the route of transmission impacts on epidemiology and control of disease

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182009990588 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 136 (14) ◽

pp. 1895-1900 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

D. J. L. WILLIAMS ◽

C. S. HARTLEY ◽

C. BJÖRKMAN ◽

A. J. TREES

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Vertical Transmission ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Transplacental Transmission ◽

Highly Efficient ◽

Route Of Transmission ◽

And Control

SUMMARYVertical transmission of the protozoan parasite, Neospora caninum is highly efficient and can take two forms – endogenous transplacental transmission resulting from activation of the quiescent bradyzoite stage during pregnancy or exogenous transplacental transmission resulting from ingestion of oocysts during pregnancy. Calves born carrying infection derived from either endogenous or exogenous transplacental transmission are capable of infecting their offspring when they start to breed. This review considers firstly the frequency with which exogenous and endogenous transmission occur, secondly the role of the immune response in controlling N. caninum infection and thirdly how the parasite persists in an immune-competent host and is re-activated during pregnancy.

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Epidemiology and Control of Neosporosis and Neospora caninum

Clinical Microbiology Reviews ◽

10.1128/cmr.00031-06 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 323-367 ◽

Cited By ~ 573

Author(s):

J. P. Dubey ◽

G. Schares ◽

L. M. Ortega-Mora

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

New Genus ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Zoonotic Potential ◽

Human Tissues ◽

New Genus And Species ◽

Serious Disease ◽

And Control

SUMMARY Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite of animals. Until 1988, it was misidentified as Toxoplasma gondii. Since its first recognition in dogs in 1984 and the description of the new genus and species Neospora caninum in 1988, neosporosis has emerged as a serious disease of cattle and dogs worldwide. Abortions and neonatal mortality are a major problem in livestock operations, and neosporosis is a major cause of abortion in cattle. Although antibodies to N. caninum have been reported, the parasite has not been detected in human tissues. Thus, the zoonotic potential is uncertain. This review is focused mainly on the epidemiology and control of neosporosis in cattle, but worldwide seroprevalences of N. caninum in animals and humans are tabulated. The role of wildlife in the life cycle of N. caninum and strategies for the control of neosporosis in cattle are discussed.

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Toll-Like Receptor 3–TRIF Pathway Activation by Neospora caninum RNA Enhances Infection Control in Mice

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.00739-18 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 87 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Vanessa dos Santos Miranda ◽

Flávia Batista Ferreira França ◽

Mylla Spirandelli da Costa ◽

Vanessa Resende Souza Silva ◽

Caroline Martins Mota ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neospora Caninum ◽

Parasitophorous Vacuole ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Interferon Response ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Toll Like Receptor ◽

Content Type ◽

Pathway Activation ◽

Th1 Immune Responses

ABSTRACT Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite closely related to Toxoplasma gondii and has been studied for causing neuromuscular disease in dogs and abortions in cattle. It is recognized as one of the main transmissible causes of reproductive failure in cattle and consequent economic losses to the sector. In that sense, this study aimed to evaluate the role of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)–TRIF-dependent resistance against N. caninum infection in mice. We observed that TLR3−/− and TRIF−/− mice presented higher parasite burdens, increased inflammatory lesions, and reduced production of interleukin 12p40 (IL-12p40), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and nitric oxide (NO). Unlike those of T. gondii, N. caninum tachyzoites and RNA recruited TLR3 to the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and translocated interferon response factor 3 (IRF3) to the nucleus. We also observed that N. caninum upregulated the expression of TRIF in murine macrophages, which in turn upregulated IFN-α and IFN-β in the presence of the parasite. Furthermore, TRIF−/− infected macrophages produced lower levels of IL-12p40, while exogenous IFN-α replacement was able to completely restore the production of this key cytokine. Our results show that the TLR3-TRIF signaling pathway enhances resistance against N. caninum infection in mice, since it improves Th1 immune responses that result in controlled parasitism and reduced tissue inflammation, which are hallmarks of the disease.

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The Role of Mustelids in the Transmission of Sarcocystis spp. Using Cattle as Intermediate Hosts

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030822 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 822

Author(s):

Petras Prakas ◽

Linas Balčiauskas ◽

Evelina Juozaitytė-Ngugu ◽

Dalius Butkauskas

Keyword(s):

American Mink ◽

Single Species ◽

Meles Meles ◽

Cox1 Gene ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

Specific Pcr ◽

Sarcocystis Spp ◽

Species Specific ◽

Pcr Targeting

There is a lack of research on the role of mustelids in the transmission of various Sarcocystis spp. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that widespread mustelids in Lithuania could be involved in the transmission of Sarcocystis spp. using cattle as intermediate hosts. In 2016–2020, intestinal samples of 84 mustelids were examined. Sarcocystis spp. were identified by species-specific PCR targeting the cox1 gene and subsequent sequencing. Under a light microscope, oocysts/sporocysts of Sarcocystis spp. were observed in 40 samples (47.6%), while using molecular methods, they were detected in 75 animals (89.3%). Four Sarcocystis spp. were identified in the intestinal samples of American mink (Neovisonvison), Beech marten (Martes foina), European pine marten (Martes martes), European badger (Meles meles) and European polecat (Mustela putorius). The prevalence of predominant Sarcocystis spp., S. bovifelis (89.3%) and S. cruzi (73.8%) was significantly higher than that of S. hirsuta (3.6%) and S. hominis (1.2%). In an individual sample, most frequently two Sarcocystis spp. were identified (69.0%), then a single species (15.5%) and three species (4.8%). The present study provides strong evidence that mustelids serve as definitive hosts for Sarcocystis spp. using cattle as intermediate hosts.

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TLR3-TRIF pathway activation by Neospora caninum RNA enhances infection control

10.1101/327999 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Vanessa dos Santos Miranda ◽

Flávia Batista Ferreira França ◽

Mylla Spirandelli da Costa ◽

Vanessa Resende Souza Silva ◽

Caroline Martins Mota ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Parasitophorous Vacuole ◽

Parasite Burden ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Pathway Activation ◽

Ifn Γ ◽

Th1 Immune Responses

AbstractNeospora caninum is a protozoan parasite closely related to Toxoplasma gondii and has been studied for causing neuromuscular disease in dogs and abortions in cattle. It is recognized as the major cause of economic losses in bovine products. In that sense, this study aimed to evaluate the role of TLR3-TRIF dependent resistance against N. caninum infection. We observed that TLR3−/− and TRIF−/− mice presented higher parasite burden, increased inflammatory lesions and reduced production of IL-12p40, TNF, IFN-γ, and NO. Differently from T. gondii, N. caninum tachyzoites and its RNA recruited TLR3 and IRF3 to the parasitophorous vacuole (PV). We observed that N. caninum upregulated the expression of TRIF in macrophages, which by its turn upregulated IFN-α and IFN-β in the presence of the parasite. Furthermore, TRIF−/− infected macrophages produced lower levels of IL-12p40 and IFN-α replacement was able to completely restore the production of this key cytokine. Our results have shown that TLR3-TRIF signaling pathway enhances resistance against N. caninum infection, since it improves Th1 immune responses that control parasitism and tissue inflammation, which are hallmarks of the disease.

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From Signaling Pathways to Distinct Immune Responses: Key Factors for Establishing or Combating Neospora caninum Infection in Different Susceptible Hosts

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9050384 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 384 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ragab M. Fereig ◽

Yoshifumi Nishikawa

Keyword(s):

Host Cell ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Survey Method ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Key Factors ◽

Caninum Infection ◽

Successful Infection ◽

Comprehensive Survey

Neospora caninum is an intracellular protozoan parasite affecting numerous animal species. It induces significant economic losses because of abortion and neonatal abnormalities in cattle. In case of infection, the parasite secretes numerous arsenals to establish a successful infection in the host cell. In the same context but for a different purpose, the host resorts to different strategies to eliminate the invading parasite. During this battle, numerous key factors from both parasite and host sides are produced and interact for the maintaining and vanishing of the infection, respectively. Although several reviews have highlighted the role of different compartments of the immune system against N. caninum infection, each one of them has mostly targeted specific points related to the immune component and animal host. Thus, in the current review, we will focus on effector molecules derived from the host cell or the parasite using a comprehensive survey method from previous reports. According to our knowledge, this is the first review that highlights and discusses immune response at the host cell–parasite molecular interface against N. caninum infection in different susceptible hosts.

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ToxoplasmaRhoptries: Unique Secretory Organelles and Source of Promising Vaccine Proteins for Immunoprevention of Toxoplasmosis

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology ◽

10.1155/2008/632424 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 2008 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Henryka Dlugonska

Keyword(s):

Neospora Caninum ◽

Parasitophorous Vacuole ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Current Data ◽

Intracellular Killing ◽

Apicomplexan Parasites ◽

Obligate Intracellular ◽

Animal Pathogens ◽

Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

Toxoplasma gondiiis an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite classified in the phylum Apicomplexa, which includes numerous notable human and animal pathogens (Plasmodiumspecies,Cryptosporidiumspecies,Neospora caninum, etc.). The invasive stages of apicomplexans are characterized by the presence of an apical complex composed of specialized cytoskeletal and secretory organelles, including rhoptries. Rhoptries, unique apical secretory organelles shared exclusively by all apicomplexan parasites, are known to be involved in an active parasite's penetration into the host cell associated with the biogenesis of specific intracellular compartment, parasitophorous vacuole in which the parasite multiplies intensively, avoiding intracellular killing. Due to the key biological role of rhoptries, rhoptry proteins have recently become vaccine candidates for the prevention of several parasitoses, toxoplasmosis among them. The article presents current data onT. gondiirhoptries biology and new approaches to the development of effective vaccines against toxoplasmosis using rhoptry antigens.

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Pathology of Urinary Bladder in Pearsonema spp. Infected Wildlife from Central Italy

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10040474 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 474

Author(s):

Claudia Eleni ◽

Alessia Mariacher ◽

Goffredo Grifoni ◽

Elena Cardini ◽

Sara Tonon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Canis Lupus ◽

Red Fox ◽

Central Italy ◽

Meles Meles ◽

Pathological Examination ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Eosinophilic Cystitis ◽

Wildlife Species ◽

Domestic Carnivores

The genus Pearsonema, in the nematode family Capillariidae, includes several species that parasitize the urinary bladders of wild and domestic carnivores. The infection has been reported worldwide from several wildlife species, including canids, mustelids, and felids, but the pathological aspects have seldom been investigated. In order to assess the presence and severity of the lesions in Pearsonema-infected wildlife, we performed a parasitological and pathological examination of urinary bladders from 72 animals, belonging to the families Canidae (red fox Vulpes vulpes, n = 28, and wolf Canis lupus, n = 29) and Mustelidae (beech marten Martes foina, n = 3; pine marten Martes martes, n = 2; and European badger Meles meles, n = 10). A greater prevalence of infection for canids (64.91%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 52.52–77.30%) than for mustelids (13.33%) (p < 0.001) was recorded. The prevalence of infection in red foxes was 75.0% (95% CI, 58.96–91.04%), in accordance with other reports from European countries, supporting the role of this species as a reservoir for infection. Eosinophilic cystitis was observed in 34 out of the 72 examined animals (47.22%). The influence of Pearsonema sp. infection on the occurrence of eosinophilic cystitis was statistically significant in wolves (p < 0.01), which were also affected by more severe histological lesions compared to foxes.

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The role of inflammation in recent-onset dilated cardiomyopathy

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.2101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

A Chaloupka ◽

J Krejci ◽

H Poloczkova ◽

P Hude ◽

E Ozabalova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

Myocardial Inflammation ◽

Gene Variants ◽

Absolute Increase ◽

Recent Onset ◽

Cardiotropic Viruses

Abstract Background The aetiology of recent-onset dilated cardiomyopathy (RODCM) includes inflammatory, genetic, toxic and metabolic causes. Delineating the role of inflammation on the genetic background could improve risk stratification. Purpose We aimed to ascertain the role of inflammation evaluated by serum CRP immunohistochemical and PCR analysis of endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) in conjunction with genetic testing in left ventricular reverse remodelling (LVRR) in 12-month follow-up. Methods 83 RODCM patients enrolled in this prospective observational study underwent 12-month echocardiographic follow up whole-exome sequencing, and EMB. Presence of cardiotropic viruses was determined by PCR analysis of the EMB samples. Inflammation was defined according to TIMIC immunohistochemical criteria as the presence of >7 CD3+ lymphocytes/mm2 and/or >14 infiltrating leukocytes (LCA+ cells/mm2). LVRR was defined as an absolute increase in LV ejection fraction > +10% and a relative decrease of LV end-diastolic diameter >−10% at 12 months. Results LVRR occurred in 28 (34%) of all cases. PCR analysis uncovered cardiotropic viruses in 55 (66%) patients, with highest prevalence of parvovirus B19 (47%). (Figure 1) EMB analysis detected inflammation in 28 (34%) cases and inflammation significantly positively predicted LVRR (P=0.019). Sequencing identified disease-related gene variants (ACMG class 3–5) in 45 (54%) patients. Carriers of non-titin gene variants showed a lowest probability of 12-month LVRR (19%) P=0.041. Combination of genetic findings and inflammation did not improve the prediction of LVRR in 12 months. (Table 1) Conclusion Both myocardial inflammation and disease-causing variants can be identified in a large proportion of RODCM cases. Prognostic value of CRP and virus detection is low. Non-titin disease-related variants carriers of are less likely to reach LVRR. In contrast, myocardial inflammation detected by EMB predicts favourable remodelling in 12 months. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Relationship between Cycling Infrastructure and Transportation Cycling in a Small Urban Area

Future Transportation ◽

10.3390/futuretransp1010007 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 99-112

Author(s):

Richard Larouche ◽

Nimesh Patel ◽

Jennifer L. Copeland

Keyword(s):

Generalized Linear Models ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Linear Models ◽

The Other ◽

Small City ◽

The Road ◽

The Past ◽

Low Prevalence ◽

The Relationship

The role of infrastructure in encouraging transportation cycling in smaller cities with a low prevalence of cycling remains unclear. To investigate the relationship between the presence of infrastructure and transportation cycling in a small city (Lethbridge, AB, Canada), we interviewed 246 adults along a recently-constructed bicycle boulevard and two comparison streets with no recent changes in cycling infrastructure. One comparison street had a separate multi-use path and the other had no cycling infrastructure. Questions addressed time spent cycling in the past week and 2 years prior and potential socio-demographic and psychosocial correlates of cycling, including safety concerns. Finally, we asked participants what could be done to make cycling safer and more attractive. We examined predictors of cycling using gender-stratified generalized linear models. Women interviewed along the street with a separate path reported cycling more than women on the other streets. A more favorable attitude towards cycling and greater habit strength were associated with more cycling in both men and women. Qualitative data revealed generally positive views about the bicycle boulevard, a need for education about sharing the road and for better cycling infrastructure in general. Our results suggest that, even in smaller cities, cycling infrastructure may encourage cycling, especially among women.

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