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Experimental infection with Neospora caninum in Texel ewes at different stages of gestation. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 37:100817. [PMID: 36623898 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In this study Texel sheep, at different stages of pregnancy, were experimentally infected with Neospora caninum. Eleven ewes, seronegative for N. caninum and Toxoplasma gondii, were inoculated 30 days before breeding (Group A), or at 65, 100, and 120 days of gestation (Groups B, C, and D). The group E (control) was inoculated with PBS. Blood samples were collected at -2, 2, 5, and 7 days post-infection (dpi), and weekly up to 42 dpi, for hematology, parasitemia (PCR), and serology (RIFI) assessments. Blood and tissue samples were collected from the lambs for molecular and histological analyses. All animals in Groups B, C, and D were seroconverted, whilst those in groups A and E remained seronegative. Parasitic DNA was detected in the blood of two ewes (groups B and D) and a lamb (group D), and in the brain of a lamb (group B). The parasitemia-positive ewe in group B delivered a weak and seropositive lamb, and had parasitic DNA in its placenta. These results confirm the vertical transmission of N. caninum in ewes inoculated at the beginning and end of pregnancy. The absence of abortions and other clinical signs suggest that Texel sheep may potentially have resistance to N. caninum.
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Benavides J, González-Warleta M, Arteche-Villasol N, Pérez V, Mezo M, Gutiérrez-Expósito D. Ovine Neosporosis: The Current Global Situation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162074. [PMID: 36009665 PMCID: PMC9405361 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review summarizes the current global situation of Neospora caninum infection in sheep by referring to all of the available descriptions of natural ovine neosporosis to date, focusing on epidemiology, clinical signs, lesions, and diagnosis. The data suggest that ovine neosporosis is more prevalent than currently thought, that it has increased in the last few decades, and that it should now be considered in the differential diagnosis when investigating abortion in sheep. Abstract In the past 20 years, Neospora caninum infection in sheep has been reported in at least 31 countries worldwide from all sheep-rearing continents (Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania), and its role as an abortifacient agent is becoming more evident. Most studies of ovine neosporosis have focused on its epidemiology, based primarily on serological analysis, with only a few studies investigating the actual presence of the parasite by PCR and/or IHC. Individual seroprevalence rates were highly variable between countries, and even between regions within the same country, ranging from 0.0% to 67.4% positive. Furthermore, most of the studies were not directly comparable due to differences in experimental designs, sample sizes, husbandry systems, ecological factors, and serological tests (e.g., IFAT, ELISA, MAT, Western blot). The latter, along with the scarcity of studies on the relevance of N. caninum as an abortifacient agent, may bias the perception of the importance of this disease. This review summarizes the situation of N. caninum infection in sheep using all available published studies describing natural ovine neosporosis. The epidemiology shows that ovine neosporosis is found worldwide, and it poses a relevant risk to the sustainability of sheep flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Benavides
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-University of Leon, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
| | - Marta González-Warleta
- Centro de Investigaciones Agrarias de Mabegondo, Parasitology Laboratory, Axencia Galega da Calidade Alimentaria (AGACAL)-Xunta de Galicia, Ctra, Betanzos a Mesón do Vento km 7, Abegondo, 15318 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Noive Arteche-Villasol
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-University of Leon, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Valentín Pérez
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-University of Leon, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Mercedes Mezo
- Centro de Investigaciones Agrarias de Mabegondo, Parasitology Laboratory, Axencia Galega da Calidade Alimentaria (AGACAL)-Xunta de Galicia, Ctra, Betanzos a Mesón do Vento km 7, Abegondo, 15318 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Daniel Gutiérrez-Expósito
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-University of Leon, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Pereira KAG, de Sousa RS, Varaschin MS, Becker APBB, Monteiro ALG, de Oliveira Koch M, Costa RC, Laskoski LM, Galindo CM, de Cristo TG, da Fonseca FM, Locatelli-Dittrich R. Transplacental transmission of Neospora caninum to lambs in successive pregnancies of naturally infected sheep in Southern Brazil. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2021; 23:100537. [PMID: 33678390 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to report the detection of N. caninum DNA in a newborn lamb (1) with neurological signs and congenital neosporosis and in a stillborn lamb (2), both born from the same ewe in a herd of Southern Brazil. The lambs were born during different pregnancies of a Suffolk ewe seropositive to N. caninum and seronegative to T. gondii. Histopathological lesions were observed only in the central nervous system of the lambs. The newborn lamb (1) showed mild and focal gliosis in the frontal lobe. In the hippocampal region of the stillborn lamb (2), lymphoplasmacytic perivascular cuffs and N. caninum cysts were observed in the cytoplasm of neurons and confirmed by IHC. PCR was performed using brain samples to detect the protozoa N. caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. The infection with N. caninum was confirmed in the newborn lamb (1) by PCR and in the stillborn lamb (2) by histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and PCR tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Alcalá Gonçalves Pereira
- Veterinarian, Sector of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Juvevê, Curitiba CEP:80035-060, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Renato Silva de Sousa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Juvevê, Curitiba CEP:80035-060, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Mary Suzan Varaschin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Caixa postal 3037, Lavras CEP 37200-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Brenner Busch Becker
- Veterinarian, Sector of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Juvevê, Curitiba CEP:80035-060, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Alda Lúcia Gomes Monteiro
- Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Juvevê, Curitiba CEP:80035-060, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Marília de Oliveira Koch
- Veterinarian, Sector of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Juvevê, Curitiba CEP:80035-060, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Rafael Carneiro Costa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Lavras, Caixa postal 3037, Lavras CEP 37200-000, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luciane Maria Laskoski
- Veterinarian, Sector of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Juvevê, Curitiba CEP:80035-060, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Claudia Martins Galindo
- Veterinarian, Sector of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Juvevê, Curitiba CEP:80035-060, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Thierry Grima de Cristo
- Veterinarian, Sector of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Juvevê, Curitiba CEP:80035-060, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Flávia Moreira da Fonseca
- Veterinarian, Sector of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Paraná, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Juvevê, Curitiba CEP:80035-060, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Rosangela Locatelli-Dittrich
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, Rua dos Funcionários, 1540, Juvevê, Curitiba CEP:80035-060, Paraná, Brazil
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Cosendey RIJ, de Oliveira FCR, Frazão-Teixeira E, de Souza GN, Brandão FZ, Ferreira AMR, Lilenbaum W. Seroprevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in sheep from the rapidly expanding flock of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2018; 14:59-62. [PMID: 31014738 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Neosporosis is primarily a disease of cattle and dogs, but Neospora caninum has been linked to abortion and neonatal mortality in sheep. Since the economic, clinical and epidemiological importance of the infection in sheep remains uncertain, this work investigated the seroprevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies and associated factors in the rapidly expanding flock of Rio de Janeiro state. Blood samples from 388 sheep of 12 farms were collected and sera tested by a commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Seroprevalence at the animal-level was of 6.2% (24/388) and, at the herd-level, 50% (6/12) of the studied farms had at least one seropositive animal. Multivariate analysis detected that occasional veterinary assistance (P < 0.05) was significantly associated to higher seroprevalence, which is also associated to age (P < 0.001) and gender (P < 0.0001). Farmers' investments should focus on making technical assistance more frequent and future studies should assess the association of veterinary assistance with anti-N. caninum antibodies in sheep flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- R I J Cosendey
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Niterói, RJ 24210-130, Brazil
| | - F C R de Oliveira
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Laboratório de Sanidade Animal, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28013-602, Brazil
| | - E Frazão-Teixeira
- Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-361, Brazil.
| | - G N de Souza
- EMBRAPA Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, MG 36038-330, Brazil
| | - F Z Brandão
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Patologia Clínica e Reprodução, Niterói, RJ 24230-340, Brazil
| | - A M R Ferreira
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Departamento de Patologia Clínica e Reprodução, Niterói, RJ 24230-340, Brazil
| | - W Lilenbaum
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária, Niterói, RJ 24210-130, Brazil
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Rizzo H, Villalobos EMC, Meira Júnior EB, Marques EC, Beraldi F, Gregory L. Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii e anti-Neospora caninum em ovinos com distúrbios reprodutivos e fatores de risco. PESQUISA VETERINARIA BRASILEIRA 2018. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-4174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
RESUMO: Objetivou-se avaliar a ocorrência, sinais clínicos e fatores de risco associados a soropositividade para Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum em ovinos. Foram utilizados 294 animais com histórico de distúrbios reprodutivos de 28 fazendas do estado de São Paulo, Brasil, diagnosticados através da imunofluorescência indireta (1:64 e 1:50). A ocorrência de T. gondii foi de 29,9% (88/294) e de N. caninum 18% (53/294), sendo 3,7% (11/294) dos ovinos soropositivos para ambos. Observou-se com maiores chances à infecção pelo T. gondii: ovinos mestiços (p=0,04), Santa Inês (p=0,006), fornecimento de pastagem (p<0,001) ou associada a concentrado (p<0,001), uso exclusivamente de monta natural (p=0,002, OR=2,28 e IC95%=1,37-3,79) e a presença de aves nas propriedades (p=0,001). Na infecção por N. caninum essa chance aumentou em: fêmeas (p=0,031), propriedades sem aprisco (p<0,001) e sistema de criação semi-intensivo (p<0,001). Em relação ao histórico de problemas reprodutivos, ovelhas infectadas pelo N. caninum e T. gondii apresentaram redução da chance de apresentarem abortamento (p=0,044) e repetição de estro (p=0,025) respectivamente. O T. gondii esteve mais presente sorologicamente que o N. caninum em ovinos com histórico de distúrbios reprodutivos e apesar de suas semelhanças, diferiram epidemiologicamente em aspectos relacionados as características da criação como raça, sexo, sistema de criação, tipo de alimentação e manejo reprodutivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huber Rizzo
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brazil
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Wang S, Li L, Lu Y, Zhang H, Xie Q, Zhang Z. Seroprevalence and risk factors of Neospora caninum infection among domestic sheep in Henan province, central China. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 25:15. [PMID: 29557776 PMCID: PMC5859823 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2018019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the frequency of antibodies to Neospora caninum in domestic sheep raised in Henan province, central China. Serum samples from 779 domestic sheep were collected from March 2015 to May 2016, and antibodies to N. caninum were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed an overall IgG positive rate of 7.32% (57/779). The risk factors significantly related to seropositivity to N. caninum in sheep were the age, the presence of dogs, and the rearing system. This is the first report of N. caninum infection and associated risk factors in domestic sheep in central China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Lingjuan Li
- Henan Muxiang Veterinary Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450000, PR China
| | - Yi Lu
- Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center of Xinxiang City, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Haizhu Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Qing Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
| | - Zhenchao Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, 453003, PR China
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Incidence and vertical transmission rate of Neospora caninum in sheep. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 52:19-22. [PMID: 28673457 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The infection by Neospora caninum in sheep can lead to abortion and the birth of weak and debilitated lambs. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of natural infection by Neospora caninum and the vertical transmission rate among sheep. A flock of 50 sheep was monitored for serum antibody titres against N. caninum and seroconversion over a period of six months using an indirect ELISA technique. The offspring of the herd was also investigated regarding anti-N. caninum antibodies to determine the vertical transmission rate through the indirect immunofluorescence technique. The initial and final prevalences of infection by N. caninum were 26.0% (13/50) and 72.0% (36/50), respectively, and the incidence of infection by N. caninum in the present study was 62.2% (23/37). The vertical transmission rate found was 15.4% (2/13). A high incidence of infection by N. caninum in sheep was observed, and this is the first report assessing the incidence of N. caninum among naturally infected sheep.
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Syed-Hussain SS, Howe L, Pomroy WE, West DM, Hardcastle M, Williamson NB. Study on the use of toltrazuril to eliminate Neospora caninum in congenitally infected lambs born from experimentally infected ewes. Vet Parasitol 2015; 210:141-4. [PMID: 25935293 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
To determine if toltrazuril was effective in eliminating Neospora caninum infection from congenitally infected lambs. Twenty-eight ewes were allocated to 3 groups where animals in Groups A and B were inoculated with 1 × 10(7)N. caninum tachyzoites on Day 120 of gestation and Group C was maintained as a negative control group. Lambs born from ewes in Group A were treated with toltrazuril (20mg/kg) on Days 0, 7, 14 and 21 after birth. Lambs in Groups B and C were untreated. All lambs in Groups A and B were seropositive at 12 weeks of age. At 12 weeks of age, no differences between lambs in Group A and Group B were observed in serological results (ELISA and western blot), presence of N. caninum-related brain histopathological lesions or the number of organisms detected by qPCR. Group C remained negative for serology, detection of N. caninum DNA as well as histopathology throughout the study. Results indicate that N. caninum congenitally-infected lambs had a continuing infection with N. caninum despite being treated with toltrazuril.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Syed-Hussain
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia; Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4412, New Zealand.
| | - L Howe
- Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4412, New Zealand
| | - W E Pomroy
- Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4412, New Zealand.
| | - D M West
- Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4412, New Zealand
| | - M Hardcastle
- Gribbles Veterinary Pathology, PO Box 12049, Penrose, Auckland 1642, New Zealand
| | - N B Williamson
- Institute of Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4412, New Zealand
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