scholarly journals Presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Leishmania infantum in dogs from Piauí

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Gomes Lopes ◽  
Ivete Lopes Mendonça ◽  
Kleber Portela Fortes ◽  
Marcos Amaku ◽  
Hilda de Fátima Jesus Pena ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the presence of antibodies against Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania infantum in dogs attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Piauí, Northeastern Brazil, where there are no reports of the occurrence of N. caninum and T. gondii in dogs. Serum samples from 530 dogs of genders, different ages and breeds from the municipality of Teresina and nearby towns were analyzed using three indirect fluorescent antibody tests, each one targeting one of the three agents. The associations between the parasites and gender, breed and age of the dogs were assessed by the chi-square test (p > 0.05). The occurrence of antibodies to N. caninum, T. gondii and L. infantum was 3.2, 18.0 and 78.1%, respectively. Toxoplasma gondii was more frequently found in older dogs (p < 0.05) whereas L. infantum was more common in animals aged between 1 to 3 years (p < 0.05). In order to evaluate potential associations between the presence of anti-N. caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies and Leishmania infection, 240 dogs were selected (120 positive and 120 negative for Leishmania spp.), based on serological and parasitological diagnoses. No association was found between Leishmania spp. and the coccidian parasites (p > 0.05). The results confirm the exposure of dogs to these parasites in the State of Piauí.

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Marques Caramalac ◽  
Simone Marques Caramalac ◽  
Pablo Menegon Castilho ◽  
Juliana Izidoro Lucas ◽  
Ana Flávia Minutti ◽  
...  

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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyla Carstens Marques de Sousa ◽  
Heitor Miraglia Herrera ◽  
Iara Helena Domingos ◽  
João Bosco Vilela Campos ◽  
Isabela Maria Campanelli dos Santos ◽  
...  

An investigation was made into the occurrence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania infantum and Neospora caninum in 151 domestic cats, based on the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Serum samples were collected from 151 domestic cats (65 free-roaming and 86 domiciled cats; 55 males and 96 females) in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil between January and April 2013. IgG antibodies to T. gondii, L. infantum and N. caninum were found, respectively, in 49 (32.5%), 34 (22.5%) and 10 (6.6%) sampled cats. A positive correlation was found between T. gondii and N. caninum, T. gondii and L. infantum, and N. caninum and L. infantum (p <0.05) infections. Also, a significant interaction was identified between gender and area of activity on the probability of T. gondii (p = 0.0324) infection. However, no significant interaction was observed between gender and area of activity on infections by either N. caninum or L. infantum. This study showed that cats from an area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil are exposed to three different protozoans, two of which are causal agents of important zoonosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Dias Munhoz ◽  
Monia Andrade Souza ◽  
Sonia Carmen Lopo Costa ◽  
Jéssica de Souza Freitas ◽  
Aísla Nascimento da Silva ◽  
...  

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected equids in northeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 569 equids (528 horses, 8 mules and 33 donkeys) were subjected to the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate associated factors. Among the 569 animals sampled, 118 (30.6%) living in rural areas and 14 (26.42%) in urban areas were seropositive (p>0.05). Seropositive animals were observed on 95% of the farms and in all the municipalities. Donkeys/mules as the host, presence of domestic cats and rats on the farm, ingestion of lagoon water and goat rearing remained in the final model as factors associated with infection. Preventive measures such as avoiding the presence of domestic cats close to rearing areas, pastures and sources of water for the animals should be adopted. The wide-ranging distribution of positive animals also indicated that infection in other domestic animals and in humans, through the contaminated environment, was possible. It should be highlighted that there was the possibility that donkeys and mules would continue to have detectable titers for longer, thus explaining the prevalence found. Further studies are needed to confirm this possibility.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipa Teixeira Rodrigues ◽  
Catarina Pereira ◽  
Jitender Prakash Dubey ◽  
Miguel Nóvoa ◽  
Miguel Quaresma ◽  
...  

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania infantum are zoonotic protozoal parasites. Serum samples were obtained from 186 donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) from Portugal and assessed for antibodies to T. gondii by the modified agglutination test (MAT). For titration of antibodies to Leishmania spp. the direct agglutination test was used (DAT). Eleven donkeys were seropositive for T. gondii with titres of 20 (n = 7), 80 (n = 2), 640 (n = 1) and ≥ 2560 (n = 1). One donkey was seropositive for Leishmania spp. (titre of 800). Donkeys in Portugal are exposed to and can be infected with T. gondii and Leishmania spp.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Aizawa Porto de Abreu ◽  
Felipe da Silva Krawczak ◽  
Fernanda Passos Nunes ◽  
Marcelo Bahia Labruna ◽  
Hilda Fátima de Jesus Pena

Abstract Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) are the largest rodents found in South America. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in 170 free-living capybaras in a residential park area in Itu Municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil. Serum samples were tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for T. gondii (IFAT ≥ 1:16) and N. caninum (IFAT ≥ 1:50). Among the 170 samples analyzed, 10% (17/170) and 0% (0/170) were seropositive for T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively. This study confirms the widespread presence of T. gondii and reinforces the role of capybaras in the life cycle of this parasite. Capybaras may not be important as intermediate hosts of N. caninum in the studied environment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 947-950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiza P. Portella ◽  
◽  
Gustavo C. Cadore ◽  
Marcelo de Lima ◽  
Luís A. Sangioni ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: The presence of antibodies against Neospora caninum, Sarcocystis spp. and Toxoplasma gondii was evaluated in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Rio Grande do Sul state (RS), southern Brazil. Serum samples (n=220) were analyzed for antibodies by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibody presence was considered when the titers were equal or higher than 100 for these protozoa. A total of 60.5% (133/220) buffalo serum samples were positive for at least one of the protozoa evaluated in this study. Antibodies for N. caninum, Sarcocystis spp. and T. gondii were found in 36.4% (80/220), 25.5% (56/220) and 16.8% (37/220) of the buffaloes respectively, indicating a higher frequency of N. caninum infection (p=0.0133). The IFAT is a suitable method to diagnose N. caninum, Sarcocystis spp. and T. gondii infection in buffaloes for detecting IgG antibodies. This study demonstrates the presence of these three protozoa in buffalo herds in RS, Brazil, which may be source of infection to other animals. The high frequency of animals positive for N. caninum is important and could be related to reproductive problems. Additionally, the presence of Sarcocystis spp. and T. gondii in buffaloes can be a possible public health issue.


Author(s):  
Marilia De Oliveira Koch ◽  
Luciane Maria Laskoski ◽  
Daniel Moura de Aguiar ◽  
Bianca Ressetti da Silva ◽  
Reinaldo Ramos Régio ◽  
...  

The occurrence and distribution of antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii was investigated in horses, dogs and cats from Curitiba, Paraná state, Brazil. Serum samples were selected from 100 horses, 100 dogs and 100 cats from the routine of the Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory in the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Paraná (UFPR). The 100 dog samples were divided into two groups: 35 samples from dogs with neurological sign (convulsion) and 65 samples from dogs without neurological signs. The animals were adults of different breeds, males and females. Samples were analyzed by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for protozoa S. neurona, N. caninum andT. gondii at the following cut-off dilutions: horses: 1:50, 1:50 and 1:16; dogs: 1:50, 1:50 and 1:16; cats: 1:50, 1:50 and 1:50, respectively. The obtained results were 42% of horses, 7% of dogs and 5% of cats seropositive for S. neurona; 58% of horses, 68% of dogs and 42% of cats seropositive to N. caninum, and 36% of horses, 20% of dogs and 21% of cats seropositive for T. gondii. Among the dogs with neurological signs, 8.6%, 68.6% and 25.7% were seropositive for S. neurona, N. caninum and T. gondii, respectively. Among the dogs without neurological signs, 6.2% 67.7% and 16.9% were seropositive for S. neurona, N. caninum and T. gondii, respectively. No statistical difference was found between groups of seropositive dogs for the three protozoa with neurological signs and without neurological signs. Co-infection and high antibody titers were detected. The antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii were found widely distributed among horses, dogs and cats in the region of Curitiba, state of Paraná, Brazil.   


2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 111-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Bartova ◽  
K. Sedlak

Toxoplasma gondii is zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes infections in many vertebrate species. The present study determined the seroprevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum in goats from the Czech Republic. Serum samples were collected from 251 healthy adult goats in the Czech Republic during the years 2006 to 2009. Sera samples were tested for serum antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with cut off equal to or higher than 50% S/P. The same samples were tested for serum antibodies to Neospora caninum by a competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with cut off equal to or higher than 30% inhibition; positive sera were confirmed by an indirect fluorescent antibody test with cut-off titre equal to or higher than 40. Sera positive in both tests were marked as positive. In total, 166 (66%) and 15 (6%) goat sera reacted positively for T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies, respectively. All sera positive for N. caninum antibodies were simultaneously positive for T. gondii antibodies. This is the&nbsp;first detection of N.&nbsp;caninum antibodies in goats in the Czech Republic. Our findings indicate that goats in the Czech Republic are frequently exposed to T.&nbsp;gondii, but less frequently to N. caninum. &nbsp;


2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thuy Nguyen ◽  
Se-Eun Choe ◽  
Jae-Won Byun ◽  
Hong-Bum Koh ◽  
Hee-Soo Lee ◽  
...  

AbstractToxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are closely related protozoan parasites, they share many common hosts, and can cause neurological diseases in dogs. Dogs can have close contacts with humans and livestock and therefore they can act as reservoirs of these parasites. The aim of this study was to survey the seroprevalence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum and their co-infection rate in dogs in Korea. In total, sera from 553 domestic dogs were collected from different breeds, sexes, and ages of dogs from nine provinces across the country of Korea during 2006 and 2007. The presence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum was analyzed using the latex agglutination test (LAT) with a cut-off value of 1:32, and the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) using a serum titer of 1:100. In the total dog population, 71 (12.8%) dogs were positive for anti-T. gondii antibodies and only 20 (3.6%) were positive for anti-N. caninum antibodies. Relatively higher seropositive frequencies of antibodies against T. gondii (20.1%) and N. caninum (4.9%) were detected in the dog population from the Gyeonggi. A higher proportion of animals seropositive for anti-T. gondii antibodies was found in stray dog populations as compared to household dog populations: 18.5% (59/319) vs 5.1% (12/234), respectively. The Chi-square tests revealed significant differences in the seropositive frequencies of antibodies against T. gondii between stray and household dogs in the total population (p<0.0001), and in dogs from the Gyeonggi (p<0.01). No significant differences were observed for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii or N. caninum when compared across the sex or age (p>0.05). The first serological survey on antibodies against both T. gondii and N. caninum parasites across the entire country showed that co-infection was not common in these canine populations with a seropositive level of 0.72%. The significantly higher positive frequency of T. gondii antibodies in stray dogs in both, Gyeonggi and in the total dog populations suggests that further investigation on the seroprevalence of parasites should focus on stray dogs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilia De Oliveira Koch ◽  
Rosangela Locatelli Dittrich ◽  
Romildo Romualdo Weiss ◽  
Tacia Bergstein-Galan ◽  
Daniel Moura Aguiar ◽  
...  

Background: Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are closely related cyst-forming apicomplexan parasites identified as important causes of reproductive failure in cattle. Moreover, abortion cases attributed to N. caninum and T. gondii infection have been occasionally reported in sheep. Due to the relatively scarce information on the molecular detection of N. caninum in the semen of naturally infected rams, this study aimed to detect parasitic DNA in fresh semen samples and in frozen extended semen straws from male sheep from artificial inseminations centers in Southern Brazil.Materials, Methods & Results: Semen samples of 38 rams from artificial insemination centers were evaluated. Eleven rams were naturally infected (seropositive for anti-N. caninum and/or anti-T. gondii IgG) and were selected for fresh semen collection. We tested all the samples for the closely related protozoan T. gondii to detect a possible cross-reaction and co-infection, due to the close similarity with N. caninum. The indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to detect IgG antibodies in the 11 serum samples from rams. Fresh semen samples were collected from 11 rams on days 1, 50, 55, and 58 using an artificial vagina and ewe in estrus. Other 27 rams had their frozen extended semen straws analyzed. A total of 20 fresh semen samples and 27 frozen extended semen straws samples were used to detect the presence of N. caninum and T. gondii DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nc-5 and B1 genes were used as target regions to detect N. caninum and T. gondii DNA, respectively. The presence of N. caninum DNA was confirmed in the third collection of a fresh semen sample of one seropositive ram. T. gondii DNA was detected in a fresh semen sample of one seropositive ram. The DNA sequences of 186 bp from N. caninum (GenBank accession: MH806393) and 492 bp from T. gondii (GenBank accession: MH793503) were obtained by sequencing, and analysis revealed 99% and 100% identity, respectively, compared with other sequences deposited at GenBank. N. caninum and T. gondii DNAs were not detected in any of the 27 frozen extended semen straws used for artificial insemination.Discussion: This study demonstrated the presence of N. caninum and T. gondii DNA in fresh semen samples of naturally infected rams. The non-detection of N. caninum and T. gondii DNA in frozen semen samples of rams could be due to the dilution that was used to prepare the semen straws (GGL diluent and 5% glycerol), since fresh semen samples were not diluted prior to the test. Moreover, in our study, the volume of frozen semen samples (0.25 mL) used for PCR was lower than the volume of sediment obtained from fresh semen (0.5 mL), and the fresh semen centrifugation to obtain the sediment may have grouped the tachyzoites, increasing the sensitivity of the technique employed. No high IgG serological titers were detected in the rams at the time they were eliminating the parasite through fresh semen. The final titer of anti-N. caninum and anti-T. gondii IgGs in serum was 1:100, suggesting chronic infection. It is suggested that a new parasite elimination pathway is occurring among rams used for reproduction, due to the presence of N. caninum and T. gondii DNA in fresh semen samples from seropositive animals. Although the detection of genomic DNA of N. caninum and T. gondii in semen does not necessarily imply the presence of infectious stages of the parasites and does not determine their viability, these results demonstrate the need for further studies. Our study also indicates the need to reinforce preventive measures for sheep in artificial insemination centers until the risks are evaluated, by performing serological examinations with anti-N. caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies, for instance, to select the rams that will be used for breeding.


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