scholarly journals Species-specific differences in Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Besnoitia besnoiti seroprevalence in Namibian wildlife

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Seltmann ◽  
Gereon Schares ◽  
Ortwin H. K. Aschenborn ◽  
Sonja K. Heinrich ◽  
Susanne Thalwitzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Besnoitia Besnoiti ◽  
Acinonyx Jubatus ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Wildlife Species ◽  
African Lions

Abstract Background Knowledge about parasitic infections is crucial information for animal health, particularly of free-ranging species that might come into contact with livestock and humans. Methods We investigated the seroprevalence of three tissue-cyst-forming apicomplexan parasites (Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Besnoitia besnoiti) in 506 individuals of 12 wildlife species in Namibia using in-house enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (indirect ELISAs applying purified antigens) for screening and immunoblots as confirmatory tests. We included six species of the suborder Feliformia, four species of the suborder Caniformia and two species of the suborder Ruminantia. For the two species for which we had most samples and life-history information, i.e. cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus, n = 250) and leopards (Panthera pardus, n = 58), we investigated T. gondii seroprevalence in relation to age class, sex, sociality (solitary, mother-offspring group, independent sibling group, coalition group) and site (natural habitat vs farmland). Results All but one carnivore species (bat-eared fox Otocyon megalotis, n = 4) were seropositive to T. gondii, with a seroprevalence ranging from 52.4% (131/250) in cheetahs to 93.2% (55/59) in African lions (Panthera leo). We also detected antibodies to T. gondii in 10.0% (2/20) of blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus). Adult cheetahs and leopards were more likely to be seropositive to T. gondii than subadult conspecifics, whereas seroprevalence did not vary with sex, sociality and site. Furthermore, we measured antibodies to N. caninum in 15.4% (2/13) of brown hyenas (Hyaena brunnea) and 2.6% (1/39) of black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas). Antibodies to B. besnoiti were detected in 3.4% (2/59) of African lions and 20.0% (4/20) of blue wildebeest. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that Namibian wildlife species were exposed to apicomplexan parasites at different prevalences, depending on parasite and host species. In addition to serological work, molecular work is also needed to better understand the sylvatic cycle and the clear role of wildlife in the epidemiology of these parasites in southern Africa.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence and Clinical Outcomes of Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti Infections in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lavinia Ciuca ◽  
Giuliano Borriello ◽  
Antonio Bosco ◽  
Luigi D’Andrea ◽  
Giuseppe Cringoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Besnoitia Besnoiti ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Water Buffaloes ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Parasitic Pathogens

One hundred twenty-four water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) originating from 9 farms located in southern Italy were tested to investigate simultaneously, for the first time, the seroprevalence of the protozoa Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Besnoitia besnoiti by ELISA tests and to evaluate the clinical findings potentially associated to the presence of these aborting parasitic pathogens. Twenty-five of 124 buffaloes (20.2%) were positive for N. caninum, while 17/124 (13.7%) for T. gondii. No buffalo showed specific antibodies for B. besnoiti. Nineteen of 124 animals (15.3%) were found seropositive for both T. gondii and N. caninum. The univariate statistical analysis showed that the seroprevalence of N. caninum is significantly associated with abortion and presence of retained foetal membranes, while the seroprevalence of T. gondii is significantly associated with an increase of days open. The logistic regression models showed that the co-infection by N. caninum and T. gondii strengthened the abortive effects (OR = 7.330) and showed further negative effects on the parameter embryonic death (OR = 2.607). The outcome revealed herein represents a high exposure of N. caninum and T. gondii in water buffaloes with reproduction disorders that deserves attention for both economic reasons, animal health and welfare.

scholarly journals The structure of a major surface antigen SAG19 from Eimeria tenella unifies the Eimeria SAG family

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Zazarina Ramly ◽  
Samuel R. Dix ◽  
Sergey N. Ruzheinikov ◽  
Svetlana E. Sedelnikova ◽  
Patrick J. Baker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Surface Antigens ◽  
Eimeria Tenella ◽  
Besnoitia Besnoiti ◽  
Sequence Comparisons ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Major Surface

AbstractIn infections by apicomplexan parasites including Plasmodium, Toxoplasma gondii, and Eimeria, host interactions are mediated by proteins including families of membrane-anchored cysteine-rich surface antigens (SAGs) and SAG-related sequences (SRS). Eimeria tenella causes caecal coccidiosis in chickens and has a SAG family with over 80 members making up 1% of the proteome. We have solved the structure of a representative E. tenella SAG, EtSAG19, revealing that, despite a low level of sequence similarity, the entire Eimeria SAG family is unified by its three-layer αβα fold which is related to that of the CAP superfamily. Furthermore, sequence comparisons show that the Eimeria SAG fold is conserved in surface antigens of the human coccidial parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis but this fold is unrelated to that of the SAGs/SRS proteins expressed in other apicomplexans including Plasmodium species and the cyst-forming coccidia Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Besnoitia besnoiti. However, despite having very different structures, Consurf analysis showed that Eimeria SAG and Toxoplasma SRS families each exhibit marked hotspots of sequence hypervariability that map to their surfaces distal to the membrane anchor. This suggests that the primary and convergent purpose of the different structures is to provide a platform onto which sequence variability can be imposed.

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

Parasitology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 144 (7) ◽  
pp. 851-868 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Exposure of free-living jaguars to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis neurona in the Brazilian Pantanal

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selma Samiko Miyazaki Onuma ◽  
Andréia Lima Tomé Melo ◽  
Daniel Luis Zanella Kantek ◽  
Peter Gransden Crawshaw-Junior ◽  
Ronaldo Gonçalves Morato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Sarcocystis Neurona ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Coccidian Parasites ◽  
Brazilian Pantanal

Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Sarcocystis neurona are related apicomplexan parasites that cause reproductive and neurological disorders in a wide range of domestic and wild animals. In the present study, the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) was used to investigate the presence of antibodies against T. gondii, N. caninum and S. neurona in the sera of 11 free-living jaguars (Panthera onca) in two protected areas in the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Ten jaguars (90.9%) showed seropositivity for T. gondii, eight (72.7%) for S. neurona, and seven (63.6%) for N. caninum antigens. Our findings reveal exposure of jaguars to these related coccidian parasites and circulation of these pathogens in this wild ecosystem. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first serological detection of N. caninum and S. neurona in free-living jaguars.

scholarly journals Pinniped- and Cetacean-Derived ETosis Contributes to Combating Emerging Apicomplexan Parasites (Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum) Circulating in Marine Environments

Biology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Villagra-Blanco ◽  
Liliana Silva ◽  
Iván Conejeros ◽  
Anja Taubert ◽  
Carlos Hermosilla
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Nuclear Dna ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals

Leukocytes play a major role in combating infections either by phagocytosis, release of antimicrobial granules, or extracellular trap (ET) formation. ET formation is preceded by a certain leukocyte cell death form, known as ETosis, an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of the innate immune system also observed in marine mammals. Besides several biomolecules and microbial stimuli, marine mammal ETosis is also trigged by various terrestrial protozoa and metazoa, considered nowadays as neozoan parasites, which are circulating in oceans worldwide and causing critical emerging marine diseases. Recent studies demonstrated that pinniped- and cetacean-derived polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and monocytes are able to form different phenotypes of ET structures composed of nuclear DNA, histones, and cytoplasmic peptides/proteases against terrestrial apicomplexan parasites, e.g., Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. Detailed molecular analyses and functional studies proved that marine mammal PMNs and monocytes cast ETs in a similar way as terrestrial mammals, entrapping and immobilizing T. gondii and N. caninum tachyzoites. Pinniped- and cetacean leukocytes induce vital and suicidal ETosis, with highly reliant actions of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and combined mechanisms of myeloperoxidase (MPO), neutrophil elastase (NE), and DNA citrullination via peptidylarginine deiminase IV (PAD4).This scoping review intends to summarize the knowledge on emerging protozoans in the marine environment and secondly to review limited data about ETosis mechanisms in marine mammalian species.

scholarly journals Modulation of cis- and trans- Golgi and the Rab9A-GTPase during infection by Besnoitia besnoiti, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum

2018 ◽  
Vol 187 ◽  
pp. 75-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Cardoso ◽  
Junhua Wang ◽  
Joachim Müller ◽  
Sebastian Rupp ◽  
Alexandre Leitão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Besnoitia Besnoiti ◽  
Cis And Trans

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Leishmania spp. in hunting dogs from Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Marques Caramalac ◽  
Simone Marques Caramalac ◽  
Pablo Menegon Castilho ◽  
Juliana Izidoro Lucas ◽  
Ana Flávia Minutti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Hunting Dogs ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Mato Grosso Do Sul

ABSTRACT: Toxoplasmosis, neosporosis, and leishmaniasis are important diseases of worldwide distribution and can affect both pets and humans. Hunting dogs have been trained to hunt domestic and wild animals, which makes them more exposed to parasitic infections. The present study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Leishmania spp. in hunting dogs from a rural area in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Serum samples were collected from 39 American Foxhound dogs, and the sex and age variables were recorded. Serum samples were subjected to an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to detect antibodies. Seroprevalence was 35.9%, 15.4%, and 2.6% for Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum e Leishmania spp., respectively. There was no statistical difference between genders for these diseases (P>0.05). Results demonstrated a circulation of these protozoa in hunting dogs in a rural area of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, which can contribute to the epidemiology of these diseases.

scholarly journals Comparative Genomics of the Apicomplexan Parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum: Coccidia Differing in Host Range and Transmission Strategy

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e1002567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam James Reid ◽  
Sarah J. Vermont ◽  
James A. Cotton ◽  
David Harris ◽  
Grant A. Hill-Cawthorne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Genomics ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Host Range ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Transmission Strategy

scholarly journals Presencia serológica de Besnoitia besnoiti, Toxoplasma gondii, Coxiella burnetii y Chlamydia abortus en hatos bovinos de Costa Rica

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Daisy Fallas-Elizondo ◽  
Jorge Chacón Calderón ◽  
Juan Jose Romero-Zuñiga ◽  
Gaby Dolz
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Besnoitia Besnoiti ◽  
Chlamydia Abortus

Los protozoarios Besnoitia besnoiti y Toxoplasma gondii, y las bacterias Coxiella burnetii y Chlamydiaabortus generan problemas económicos en la ganadería debido a que ocasionan abortos, aumentadamortalidad, pérdidas de peso, infertilidad y baja producción láctea, además del riesgo zoonótico querepresenta la mayoría de estos agentes. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la presencia deanticuerpos específicos contra B. besnoiti, T. gondii, C. burnetii y C. abortus en bovinos seleccionadosde Costa Rica. Durante el año 2015-2016 se recolectaron 92 muestras de suero bovino, provenientes de6 provincias de Costa Rica, 48 sueros de vacas lecheras con problemas reproductivos (seronegativas aBrucella abortus y Neospora caninum) y 44 sueros de toros de monta, presentados para el control delvirus de la leucosis bovina enzoótica. Los sueros se analizaron mediante ensayos inmunoenzimáticoscomerciales. Se detectó una seropositividad de 31.5 % (29/92) para B. besnoiti, en hembras un 20.8 %(10/48) y en machos un 43.1 % (19/44), una seropositividad de 36.9 % (34/92) para T. gondii, en hembrasun 45.8 % (22/48) y machos un 27.2 % (12/44). Para C. burnetii se determinó también una positividadde 36.9 % (34/92) siendo un 43.7 % (21/48) de hembras y un 29.5 % (13/44) de machos seropositivos.Finalmente se encontró un 58.6 % (54/92) de animales seropositivos para C. abortus, entre estos, un 35.4% (17/48) de hembras y un 84 % (37/44) de machos. Las muestras positivas se distribuyeron ampliamenteentre las provincias muestreadas, de igual forma entre los tres tipos productivos: leche, carne y doblepropósito. Este representa el primer reporte sobre la presencia serológica de anticuerpos contra B.besnoiti, T. gondii, C. burnetii y C. abortus en Costa Rica. Se recomienda confirmar la presencia delos agentes mediante técnicas moleculares y determinar la prevalencia y las pérdidas económicas quepudieran estar ocasionando. Además, se aconseja alertar a la población sobre el potencial zoonótico deT. gondii, C. burnetii y C. abortus.

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