scholarly journals Molecular Identification of Neospora caninum Infection in Abort-ed Fetuses of Sheep, Cattle, and Goats in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behnaz Salehi ◽  
Afsaneh Amouei ◽  
Samira Dodangeh ◽  
Ahmad Daryani ◽  
Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Isoamyl Alcohol ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Mazandaran Province ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Caninum Infection ◽  
The Brain

Background: We aimed to identify Neospora caninum DNA in the brain samples of aborted fetuses of cattle, goats, and sheep in Mazandaran, northern Iran, using PCR. Methods: In total, 133 aborted fetuses (51 sheep, 78 cattle, and 4 goats) were randomly collected from different stages of gestation in various regions of Mazandaran, Iran, from Mar 2016 to May 2017. The DNA was extracted from all the brain samples using phenol chloroform isoamyl alcohol instructions. The Nc-5 gene was used for the detection of N. caninum DNA by nested-PCR assay. Results: The detection of N. caninum DNA was confirmed by the observation of a 227 bp band in 24 samples of 133 aborted fetuses (18.1%). The highest prevalence rate of N. caninum was detected in the cattle (20.5%) followed by the sheep (15.6%); however, no positive cases were reported in the goats. The highest and lowest prevalence rates of the infection were reported as 23.8% and 8.6% in Qaemshahr, and Behshahr, respectively. The prevalence rate of infection (32%) in the early gestational period was higher than those in the middle (15%) and late (3.8%) gestational periods. Conclusion: The obtained data of the present study indicated that N. caninum infection may partly be responsible for abortion and economic loss in livestock farming in Mazandaran Province.

scholarly journals Aetiology of livestock fetal mortality in Mazandaran province, Iran

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsaneh Amouei ◽  
Mehdi Sharif ◽  
Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽  
Ramin Bagheri Nejad ◽  
Sargis A. Aghayan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Fetal Loss ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Fetal Mortality ◽  
Mazandaran Province ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Pathogenic Agents

In the farming industry, the productivity of livestock herds depends on the fertility efficiency of animals. The accurate diagnosis of a broad range of aetiological agents causing fetal death is often difficult. Our aim was to assess the prevalence rates ofToxoplasma gondii,Neospora caninum, andBrucellaspp. infections in ruminant abortion using bacteriological culture and molecular techniques in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Samples were collected from 70 aborted sheep, goat, and cattle fetuses between September 2014 and December 2015. Necropsy was performed on all the received samples, and brain tissue and abomasal content were obtained from the aborted fetuses. Protozoan infections were detected by specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial agents using bacteriological examinations and PCR assay. Infectious pathogens were detected in 22 out of 70 (31.4%) examined fetuses. Moreover,T. gondii,N. caninum, andB. melitensiswere verified in 13 (18.6%), four (5.7%), and two (2.85%) samples, respectively. Our results showed that infection with the mentioned pathogenic agents may lead to fetal mortality, which can be a major cause of economic loss. The listed pathogens could be considered important etiological agents of fetal loss in Mazandaran Province, for which appropriate control measures such as vaccination and biosecurity can be implemented to prevent infection and reduce reproductive loss in livestock farms.

scholarly journals Aetiology of livestock fetal mortality in Mazandaran province, Iran

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsaneh Amouei ◽  
Mehdi Sharif ◽  
Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽  
Ramin Bagheri Nejad ◽  
Sargis A Aghayan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Fetal Loss ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Fetal Mortality ◽  
Mazandaran Province ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Pathogenic Agents

In the farming industry, the productivity of livestock herds depends on the fertility efficiency of animals. The accurate diagnosis of a broad range of aetiological agents causing fetal death is often difficult. Our aim was to assess the prevalence rates of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Brucella spp. infections in ruminant abortion using bacteriological culture and molecular techniques in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Samples were collected from 70 aborted sheep, goat, and cattle fetuses between September 2014 and December 2015. Necropsy was performed on all the received samples, and brain tissue and abomasal content were obtained from the aborted fetuses. Protozoan infections were detected by specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial agents using bacteriological examinations and PCR assay.Infectious pathogens were detected in 22 out of 70 (31.4%) examined fetuses. Moreover, T. gondii, N. caninum, and B. melitensis were verified in 13 (18.6%), 4 (5.7%), and 2 (2.85%) samples, respectively. Our results showed that infection with the mentioned pathogenic agents brings about considerable fetal mortality, which can be a major cause of economic loss. The listed pathogens could be considered important etiological agents of fetal loss in Mazandaran Province, for which appropriate control measures such as vaccination and biosecurity can be implemented to prevent infection and reduce reproductive loss in livestock farms.

scholarly journals Aetiology of livestock fetal mortality in Mazandaran province, Iran

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsaneh Amouei ◽  
Mehdi Sharif ◽  
Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽  
Ramin Bagheri Nejad ◽  
Sargis A Aghayan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Fetal Loss ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Fetal Mortality ◽  
Mazandaran Province ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Pathogenic Agents

In the farming industry, the productivity of livestock herds depends on the fertility efficiency of animals. The accurate diagnosis of a broad range of aetiological agents causing fetal death is often difficult. Our aim was to assess the prevalence rates of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Brucella spp. infections in ruminant abortion using bacteriological culture and molecular techniques in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Samples were collected from 70 aborted sheep, goat, and cattle fetuses between September 2014 and December 2015. Necropsy was performed on all the received samples, and brain tissue and abomasal content were obtained from the aborted fetuses. Protozoan infections were detected by specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial agents using bacteriological examinations and PCR assay.Infectious pathogens were detected in 22 out of 70 (31.4%) examined fetuses. Moreover, T. gondii, N. caninum, and B. melitensis were verified in 13 (18.6%), 4 (5.7%), and 2 (2.85%) samples, respectively. Our results showed that infection with the mentioned pathogenic agents brings about considerable fetal mortality, which can be a major cause of economic loss. The listed pathogens could be considered important etiological agents of fetal loss in Mazandaran Province, for which appropriate control measures such as vaccination and biosecurity can be implemented to prevent infection and reduce reproductive loss in livestock farms.

scholarly journals Temporal Distribution and Parasite Load Kinetics in Blood and Tissues during Neospora caninum Infection in Mice

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 2491-2494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Collantes-Fernández ◽  
Inmaculada López-Pérez ◽  
Gema Álvarez-García ◽  
Luis M. Ortega-Mora
Keyword(s):  
Acute Phase ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Caninum Infection ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
The Brain

ABSTRACT The kinetics of Neospora caninum loads in mice inoculated with NC-Liv or NC-1 isolates were studied. The acute phase was characterized by parasitemia and the detection of parasite DNA in several organs, whereas during the chronic phase, the parasite was detected mainly in the brain. Mice infected with NC-Liv developed clinical signs, showing higher brain parasite burdens than NC-1-infected mice.

Detection ofNeospora caninumin aborted bovine fetuses and dam blood samples by nested PCR and ELISA and seroprevalence in Beijing and Tianjin, China

Parasitology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 136 (11) ◽  
pp. 1251-1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. YAO ◽  
N. YANG ◽  
Q. LIU ◽  
M. WANG ◽  
W. ZHANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Diagnostic Tool ◽  
Nested Pcr ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Bovine Fetuses ◽  
The Brain

SUMMARYNeospora caninuminfection is a significant cause of abortion in cattle. We investigated the tissue distribution ofN. caninumin aborted bovine fetuses and dam blood samples by a nested PCR assay, and compared the nested PCR with ELISA in the diagnosis ofN. caninuminfection. In total, 26 aborted fetuses and 813 blood samples were collected from 8 dairy herds in Beijing (n=212) and Tianjin (n=601), China. Fifteen fetuses (57·7%) were testedN. caninum-positive by the nested PCR.N. caninumDNA was detected from the brain of 52%, kidneys of 22%, skeletal muscle of 18%, and heart of 4% of the aborted fetuses. The PCR-positive cases (55%, 11/20) were higher than seropositive cows (40%, 8/20) in a subset of 20 fetuses, but the PCR results of blood samples of the 20 cows were all negative. The seroprevalence of the 813 samples was 15·5% (43·4% of samples from Beijing, 5·7% of samples from Tianjin), compared to the PCR-positive blood samples of 0·9%. Our study showed that the nested PCR is a valuable diagnostic tool for the primary diagnosis ofN. caninumin aborted fetuses, while ELISA is the preferred assay for testing blood samples collected from cows. The two assays are complementary in determining whether abortions are associated withN. caninuminfection in cattle.

scholarly journals Molecular and histopathological identification of ovine neosporosis (Neospora caninum) in aborted ewes in Iraq

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 597-603
Author(s):  
Sattar J. J. Al-Shaeli ◽  
Ali M. Ethaeb ◽  
Hasanain A. J. Gharban
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Histopathological Analysis ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Caninum Infection ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Fetal Tissues ◽  
Thymus Tissue ◽  
Significant Difference

Aim: The objective of the present study was to detect Neospora caninum DNA in the placenta of sheep and evaluate the association of risk factors to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive and histopathological analysis of the placenta and fetal tissue samples of aborted fetuses. Materials and Methods: Fresh placenta from 51 aborted ewes was collected for PCR assay. Placental and fetal tissues of aborted fetuses, including brain, heart, liver, lung, and thymus, were collected for histopathological analysis, besides the risk factor data were obtained during the time of sampling. Results: From 51 placentas examined by PCR, 13.73% appeared positive to N. caninum DNA. The relationship between PCR positive and the risk factors revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) in age of the dam, fetal age, feed source, water source, and the presence of other animals at farm, whereas the type of birth, stillbirth, and size of flock showed insignificant difference (p>0.05). Histopathological investigation of placental and fetal tissues of positive samples showed tissue cyst-like structure, necrotic foci, and infiltration of mononuclear cells. Other lesions were thickening in chorionic plate in placenta, severe vacuolization and death of neurons, microgliosis, demyelination, edema, and proliferation of astrocytes in brain. In addition, fibrous and fat deposition with stenosis in the heart, parenchymal necrosis, severe atrophy, vacuolization and hyalinization of hepatocytes, megakaryocyte, portal fibrosis in the liver, and interlobular septal thickening in lung without obvious lesions is seen in the thymus tissue samples. Conclusion: This is a unique study that confirmed N. caninum DNA in the placenta of aborted ewes in Iraq using PCR assay. Histopathological analysis of some aborted fetuses organs could provide a more confirmatory and reliable data for a significant role of neosporosis in increasing the rate of abortion in sheep, while the clinical data of risk factors could be used to control the transmission of N. caninum infection.

Stage-specific expression of NcSAG4 as a marker of chronic Neospora caninum infection in a mouse model

Parasitology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 136 (7) ◽  
pp. 757-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. AGUADO-MARTÍNEZ ◽  
L. M. ORTEGA-MORA ◽  
G. ÁLVAREZ-GARCÍA ◽  
S. RODRÍGUEZ-MARCO ◽  
V. RISCO-CASTILLO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Infection ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Caninum Infection ◽  
The Brain

SUMMARYNeospora caninum infection persists throughout the life of its intermediate host due to the conversion of tachyzoites to slowly dividing bradyzoites that encyst in the brain. This event results in persistent N. caninum infection in bovine herds and partially explains the poor efficacy of many chemotherapeutic agents and vaccine formulations. Thus, there is a need for greater understanding of the tachyzoite-to-bradyzoite conversion mechanisms. Here we studied for the first time the transcription kinetics of the N. caninum bradyzoite-specific gene NcSAG4 in brain samples from chronically infected mice by means of real-time RT-PCR. NcSAG4-messenger RNA (mRNA) levels increased significantly during the chronic phase but followed 2 different expression patterns depending on the isolate used for murine inoculation. NcSAG4-mRNA levels in brains from Nc-1-inoculated mice peaked during late chronic infection (on day 64 post-infection, p.i.), whereas those from Nc-Liv-inoculated mice peaked earlier during the chronic infection (on day 32 p.i.). This difference could be a reflection of the different abilities of these isolates to replicate and form cysts in parasitized brains. These results are consistent with our observations of anti-rNcSAG4 antibody production; low levels were present at seroconversion and slowly increased during the chronic phase. In contrast, NcSAG1 transcription levels, which mark the tachyzoite stage, were maintained without variation in both groups of mice. This suggests the presence of a significant amount of tachyzoites or intermediate zoites expressing NcSAG1 in the brain, even during the late chronic infection.

scholarly journals TNF-TNFR1 Signaling Enhances the Protection Against Neospora caninum Infection

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávia Batista Ferreira França ◽  
Murilo Vieira Silva ◽  
Mariana Ferreira Silva ◽  
Eliézer Lucas Pires Ramos ◽  
Vanessa dos Santos Miranda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Caninum Infection ◽  
Apicomplexan Parasites ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Humoral Immune Responses ◽  
Mouse Model Of Infection ◽  
The Brain

Neospora caninum is a protozoan associated with abortions in ruminants and neuromuscular disease in dogs. Classically, the immune response against apicomplexan parasites is characterized by the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF. TNF is mainly produced during the acute phases of the infections and binds to TNF receptor 1 (CD120a, p55, TNFR1) activating a variety of cells, hence playing an important role in the induction of the inflammatory process against diverse pathogens. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of TNF in cellular and humoral immune responses during N. caninum infection. For this purpose, we used a mouse model of infection based on wildtype (WT) and genetically deficient C57BL/6 mice in TNFR1 (Tnfr1-/-). We observed that Tnfr1-/- mice presented higher mortality associated with inflammatory lesions and increased parasite burden in the brain after the infection with N. caninum tachyzoites. Moreover, Tnfr1-/- mice showed a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) levels in vivo. We also observed that Tnfr1-/- mice showed enhanced serum concentration of antigen-specific IgG2 subclass, while IgG1 production was significantly reduced compared to WT mice, suggesting that TNFR1 is required for regular IgG subclass production and antigen recognition. Based on our results, we conclude that the TNF-TNFR1 complex is crucial for mediating host resistance during the infection by N. caninum.

scholarly journals Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in Ruminants Aborted Fetuses in Northern Iran Using Molecular and Bioassay Techniques

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaveh Azimi ◽  
Afsaneh Amouei ◽  
Mehdi Sharif ◽  
Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽  
Nemat Shams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Conventional Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Mazandaran Province ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Intracellular Protozoan Parasite

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite that infects a wide range of warm-blooded species. This study aimed to obtain further information on the role of T. gondii infection in ruminant abortion (sheep, goats and cattle) using bioassay and PCR methods in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Methods: Overall, 104 aborted fetuses (52 bovine, 48 ovine, 4 caprine) were collected at different stages of gestation during the lambing seasons in various parts of Mazandaran Province from Mar 2016 to May 2017. Brains of 104 aborted fetuses were bioassayed in female BALB/c mice. DNA was extracted from all brain samples using phenol-chloroformisoamyl Alcohol instructions. RE gene was used for detection all of T. gondii DNA by conventional PCR assay. Results: The results of the bioassayed samples were negative because no tachyzoites or cyst were observed in the peritoneal and brain specimens of the mice. The detection of T. gondii DNA was confirmed by observation of a 529 bp band in 15 out of 104 fetuses (14.4%). The highest prevalence rate of T. gondii detected from sheep (16.6%) followed by cattle (13.4%) and goats (0%). The highest prevalence of the infection was observed in east area, while the lowest prevalence of the infection was observed in west area. Conclusion: T. gondii infection may partly be responsible for abortion and economic losses in livestock husbandry in this region. Therefore, further additional researches such as genotyping T. gondii and designing control strategies for improving management in livestock flocks are necessary.

scholarly journals Evidence for Unknown Sarcocystis-Like Infection in Stranded Striped Dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Ligurian Sea, Italy

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1201
Author(s):  
Federica Giorda ◽  
Umberto Romani-Cremaschi ◽  
Antoinette E. Marsh ◽  
Carla Grattarola ◽  
Barbara Iulini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Positive Staining ◽  
Ligurian Sea ◽  
Sarcocystis Neurona ◽  
Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽  
Polyclonal Antisera ◽  
Ligurian Coast ◽  
Sarcocystis Falcatula ◽  
The Brain ◽  
The Mediterranean Basin

Two striped dolphins (SD1, SD2), stranded along the Ligurian coast of Italy, were diagnosed with a nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis associated with previously undescribed protozoan tissue cysts. As tissue cysts were morphologically different from those of Toxoplasma gondii, additional histopathological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and biomolecular investigations were performed, aiming to fully characterize the organism. Histopathology revealed the presence of large Sarcocystis-like tissue cysts, associated with limited inflammatory lesions in all CNS areas studied. IHC was inconclusive, as positive staining with polyclonal antisera did not preclude cross-reaction with other Sarcocystidae coccidia. Applied to each animal, 11 different PCR protocols precluded a neural infection by Sarcocystis neurona, Sarcocystis falcatula, Hammondia hammondi, and Neospora caninum. T. gondii coinfection was confirmed only in dolphin SD2. Sarcocystis sp. sequences, showing the highest homology to species infecting the Bovidae family, were amplified from SD1 myocardium and SD2 skeletal muscle. The present study represents the first report of Sarcocystis-like tissue cysts in the brain of stranded cetaceans along with the first description of Sarcocystis sp. infection in muscle tissue of dolphins from the Mediterranean basin.

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