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

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.

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

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-019-3871-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

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.

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Seroepidemiology of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in cattle and water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the People's Republic of China

Veterinary Parasitology ◽

10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.07.031 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 143 (1) ◽

pp. 79-85 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Jinhai Yu ◽

Zhaofei Xia ◽

Qun Liu ◽

Jing Liu ◽

Jun Ding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Bubalus Bubalis ◽

People’S Republic Of China ◽

People's Republic Of China ◽

Water Buffaloes ◽

Republic Of China

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Serological survey of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in cattle ( Bos indicus ) and water buffaloes ( Bubalus bubalis ) in ten provinces of Brazil

Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.cimid.2017.05.005 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 ◽

pp. 30-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jenevaldo Barbosa da Silva ◽

Rafael Romero Nicolino ◽

Gisele Maria Fagundes ◽

Henrique dos Anjos Bomjardim ◽

Alessandra dos Santos Belo Reis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Neospora Caninum ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Bubalus Bubalis ◽

Serological Survey ◽

Water Buffaloes

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Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in female water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from the southeastern region of Brazil

Veterinary Parasitology ◽

10.1016/s0304-4017(01)00474-5 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 99 (4) ◽

pp. 331-334 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

T.U Fujii ◽

N Kasai ◽

S.M Nishi ◽

J.P Dubey ◽

S.M Gennari

Keyword(s):

Neospora Caninum ◽

Bubalus Bubalis ◽

Water Buffaloes ◽

Southeastern Region

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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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