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Dinon A, Fiorani F, Campero LM, Moore DP, Corva PM. The role of genetic variability of the host on the resistance to Neospora caninum infection in cattle. Anim Genet 2024; 55:304-318. [PMID: 38419150 DOI: 10.1111/age.13410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is one of the most frequently diagnosed abortifacient pathogens in cattle. There is abundant genomic information about the parasite itself, but very little is known about the genetic variability of resistance in the most common intermediate host. The aim of this review was to compile all the available information about the genetic variability associated with the resistance to N. caninum both between and within cattle breeds. We systematically searched for published studies that investigated the influence of genetics of the host on the prevalence of N. caninum and risk of abortion. Beyond the potential confounding effects of feeding systems, management and animal density, some lines of evidence suggest that Holstein, the most popular breed for milk production, has a comparatively higher risk of abortion due to infections by N. caninum, whereas some beef breeds from Continental Europe seem to be more resistant. It is still not clear if different genetic mechanisms of resistance are involved in the two known routes of infection: postnatal ingestion of oocysts or transplacental transmission from the infected dam to the fetus. Genomic information associated with susceptibility to infection and risk of abortion in different cattle breeds is still scarce. The information reported here could be useful to identify new research alternatives and to define novel strategies to deal with this major problem of animal production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabella Dinon
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Franco Fiorani
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Lucía María Campero
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Dadín Prando Moore
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Argentina
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS Balcarce), Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Pablo Marcelo Corva
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Argentina
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2
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Smith BD, Poliakiwski B, Polanco O, Singleton S, de Melo GD, Muntari M, Oliveira Filho RV, Pohler KG. Decisive points for pregnancy losses in beef cattle. Reprod Fertil Dev 2022; 35:70-83. [PMID: 36592980 DOI: 10.1071/rd22206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Beef cattle producers rely on each of their cows to produce a marketable calf each year to maintain a sustainable operation. Within the first month of gestation, pregnancy failures have been recorded to be upwards of 40-50%. From fertilisation to birth, there are numerous factors contributing to pregnancy failure. From the beginning of gestation oocyte competence is often a large factor impacting fertility as the dam contributes all mRNA for initial embryo development. Other factors contributing to early embryonic infertility include hormonal concentration and heat stress. After the embryo enters the uterus, it becomes critical for the uterus to be receptive to the developing conceptus. The embryo then begins to elongate and secrete interferon-tau to initiate maternal recognition of pregnancy; a requirement to establish and maintain bovine pregnancies. After a pregnancy completes these steps, placentation actively begins around day 22 of pregnancy and lasts until organogenesis. The fetal phase follows the embryonic phase where disease and/or toxins are often the cause of pregnancy failure at this period. However, fetal mortality has been reported to occur in less than 10% of pregnancies. Understanding of the many factors influencing infertility needs to be further investigated to increase pregnancy success in beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- B D Smith
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - B Poliakiwski
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - O Polanco
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - S Singleton
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - G D de Melo
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - M Muntari
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - R V Oliveira Filho
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - K G Pohler
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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3
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Hecker YP, Burucúa MM, Fiorani F, Maldonado Rivera JE, Cirone KM, Dorsch MA, Cheuquepán FA, Campero LM, Cantón GJ, Marín MS, Ortega-Mora LM, Moore DP. Reactivation and Foetal Infection in Pregnant Heifers Infected with Neospora caninum Live Tachyzoites at Prepubertal Age. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10081175. [PMID: 35893824 PMCID: PMC9330614 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is recognised for causing cattle abortion, provoking severe economic losses in the livestock industry worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reactivation and foetal infection in pregnant heifers inoculated with live N. caninum tachyzoites before puberty. A total of 15 30-month-old pregnant heifers were allocated into four groups: animals inoculated with live tachyzoites of NC-Argentina LP1 isolate before puberty and challenged with live tachyzoites of NC-1 strain at 210 days of gestation (DG) (Group A); animals mock inoculated before puberty and challenged with NC-1 strain at 210 DG (Group B), animals inoculated before puberty but not subsequently challenged (Group C); and noninfected and nonchallenged animals (Group D). The results of this study showed that 100% of animals infected before puberty (Groups A and C) suffered reactivation of the infection at the seventh month of gestation. In addition, in three and two calves from Groups A and C, respectively, congenital infection was confirmed. Interestingly, we provide evidence that the use of live N. caninum tachyzoites in young animals as a strategy to induce protection is neither safe nor effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanina P. Hecker
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)—Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (M.M.B.); (F.F.); (K.M.C.); (F.A.C.); (L.M.C.); (G.J.C.); (M.S.M.); (D.P.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +54-02266-439100 (ext. 365)
| | - Mercedes M. Burucúa
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)—Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (M.M.B.); (F.F.); (K.M.C.); (F.A.C.); (L.M.C.); (G.J.C.); (M.S.M.); (D.P.M.)
| | - Franco Fiorani
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)—Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (M.M.B.); (F.F.); (K.M.C.); (F.A.C.); (L.M.C.); (G.J.C.); (M.S.M.); (D.P.M.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (J.E.M.R.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Jaime E. Maldonado Rivera
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (J.E.M.R.); (M.A.D.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca 010205, Ecuador
| | - Karina M. Cirone
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)—Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (M.M.B.); (F.F.); (K.M.C.); (F.A.C.); (L.M.C.); (G.J.C.); (M.S.M.); (D.P.M.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (J.E.M.R.); (M.A.D.)
| | - Matías A. Dorsch
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (J.E.M.R.); (M.A.D.)
- Plataforma de Investigación en Salud Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Estación Experimental La Estanzuela, Colonia 70000, Uruguay
| | - Felipe A. Cheuquepán
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)—Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (M.M.B.); (F.F.); (K.M.C.); (F.A.C.); (L.M.C.); (G.J.C.); (M.S.M.); (D.P.M.)
| | - Lucía M. Campero
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)—Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (M.M.B.); (F.F.); (K.M.C.); (F.A.C.); (L.M.C.); (G.J.C.); (M.S.M.); (D.P.M.)
| | - Germán J. Cantón
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)—Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (M.M.B.); (F.F.); (K.M.C.); (F.A.C.); (L.M.C.); (G.J.C.); (M.S.M.); (D.P.M.)
| | - Maia S. Marín
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)—Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (M.M.B.); (F.F.); (K.M.C.); (F.A.C.); (L.M.C.); (G.J.C.); (M.S.M.); (D.P.M.)
| | - Luis M. Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Dadín P. Moore
- Instituto de Innovación para la Producción Agropecuaria y el Desarrollo Sostenible (IPADS), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)—Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (M.M.B.); (F.F.); (K.M.C.); (F.A.C.); (L.M.C.); (G.J.C.); (M.S.M.); (D.P.M.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Balcarce 7620, Argentina; (J.E.M.R.); (M.A.D.)
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The Effect of Vaccination with Neospora caninum Live-Frozen Tachyzoites on Abortion Rates of Naturally Infected Pregnant Cows. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9040401. [PMID: 33921584 PMCID: PMC8074125 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9040401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neosporosis is a major cause of abortions in cattle worldwide. Recently a live attenuated vaccine showing promising results in preventing abortions, when administered at mid-pregnancy to seropositive cows, was developed. In this study, vaccination with 2 × 108 live frozen N. caninum tachyzoites (NcIs491) was used to immunize naturally infected seropositive pregnant dairy dams. The study was performed under field conditions in four herds, and a follow-up of three subsequent pregnancies was analyzed. A total of 1136 cows were serologically examined. Total seroprevalence was 41.4%, with 25.1% of the cows having titers of 1:800 or higher. Abortion rates were significantly higher in cows with high antibody titers (≥1:800) for two consecutive pregnancies. Vaccination was administered to 114 out of 285 cows with antibody titers higher than 1:800. Immunization resulted in lower abortion rates at three of the farms. Vaccine efficacy ranged from −19.8% to 75% at different farms, with overall efficacy of 28.4% in all four farms and overall efficacy of 58.2% in the three farms with positive results. Our results showed different vaccine efficacy in studied farms, suggesting that frozen live vaccination may generally be an effective method to control neosporosis in cattle.
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Calarco L, Ellis J. Species diversity and genome evolution of the pathogenic protozoan parasite, Neospora caninum. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 84:104444. [PMID: 32619639 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a cyst-forming coccidian parasite of veterinary and economical significance, affecting dairy and beef cattle industries on a global scale. Comparative studies suggest that N. caninum consists of a globally dispersed, diverse population of lineages, distinguished by their geographical origin, broad host range, and phenotypic features. This viewpoint is however changing. While intraspecies diversity, and more specifically pathogenic variability, has been experimentally demonstrated in a myriad of studies, the underlying contributors and sources responsible for such diversity have remained nebulous. However, recent large-scale sequence and bioinformatics studies have aided in revealing intrinsic genetic differences distinguishing isolates of this species, that await further characterisation as causative links to virulence and pathogenicity. Furthermore, progress on N. caninum research as a non-model organism is hindered by a lack of robust, annotated genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data for the species, especially compared to other thoroughly studied Apicomplexa such as Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium species. This review explores the current body of knowledge on intra-species diversity within N. caninum. This includes the contribution of sequence variants in both coding and non-coding regions, the presence of genome polymorphic hotspots, and the identification of non-synonymous mutations. The implications of such diversity on important parasite phenotypes such as pathogenicity and population structure are also discussed. Lastly, the identification of potential virulence factors from both in-silico and next generation sequencing studies is examined, offering new insights into potential avenues for future research on neosporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Calarco
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
| | - John Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
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6
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Vázquez P, Osoro K, Fernández M, Román-Trufero A, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Jiménez-Pelayo L, García-Sánchez M, Rojo-Montejo S, Benavides J, Horcajo P, Ortega-Mora LM. Effects of challenge dose and inoculation route of the virulent Neospora caninum Nc-Spain7 isolate in pregnant cattle at mid-gestation. Vet Res 2019; 50:68. [PMID: 31547877 PMCID: PMC6755697 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-019-0686-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Parameters such as pathogen dose and inoculation route are paramount in animal models when studying disease pathogenesis. Here, clinical findings, including foetal mortality, parasite transmission rates and lesion severity, and immune responses were evaluated in Asturiana pregnant heifers at day 110 of gestation challenged with a virulent (Nc-Spain7) Neospora caninum isolate. Four different doses of parasite tachyzoites were inoculated intravenously (IV1, 107 parasites, n = 6; IV2, 105, n = 6; IV3, 103, n = 6; and IV4, 102, n = 5), and the subcutaneous (SC) inoculation route was also assessed for the dose of 105 tachyzoites (SC, n = 6). In addition, a control group (n = 4 pregnant heifers) was evaluated. Foetal death was observed in all infected groups from 25 to 62 days post-infection, varying with the dose (IV1:4/6, IV2:3/6; IV4:2/5, IV3:1/6), and was three times less frequently associated with the SC route than IV inoculation (1/6 vs. 3/6). A dose-dependent effect for parasite loads in placental and foetal brain tissues was also detected. After SC challenge, a reduced number of tachyzoites were able to reach foetal brain tissues, and no lesions were observed. In calves, specific IgG responses in precolostral sera were mainly associated with high-dose groups (IV1 [100.0%] and IV2 [66.7%]), and cerebral parasite DNA detection was scarce (3/18). In dams, IFN-γ production and the dynamics of anti-N. caninum IgG antibodies varied with the dose, and the cell-mediated immune response was also found to be route-dependent. Our results confirm the influence of parasite dose and inoculation route on the outcome and dynamics of bovine neosporosis at mid-gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Vázquez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Koldo Osoro
- Regional Service for Research and Agri-Food Development (SERIDA), 33300, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
| | - Miguel Fernández
- Mountain Livestock Institute, Animal Health Department, University of León CSIC-ULE, 24346, Grulleros, León, Spain
| | - Alicia Román-Trufero
- Regional Service for Research and Agri-Food Development (SERIDA), 33300, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET-Innova S.L., Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Jiménez-Pelayo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta García-Sánchez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Rojo-Montejo
- Regional Service for Research and Agri-Food Development (SERIDA), 33300, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
| | - Julio Benavides
- Mountain Livestock Institute, Animal Health Department, University of León CSIC-ULE, 24346, Grulleros, León, Spain
| | - Pilar Horcajo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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Fiorani F, Armendano JI, Hecker YP, Araoz V, Cantón GJ, Leunda MR, Pereyra SB, Corva PM, Odeón AC, Moore DP. Delayed type hypersensitivity induced by intradermal inoculation of a Neospora caninum tachyzoite antigen in previously exposed cattle. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2019; 207:31-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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8
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Calarco L, Barratt J, Ellis J. Genome Wide Identification of Mutational Hotspots in the Apicomplexan Parasite Neospora caninum and the Implications for Virulence. Genome Biol Evol 2018; 10:2417-2431. [PMID: 30165699 PMCID: PMC6147731 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evy188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite responsible for neosporosis, a disease causing hind limb paralysis in dogs and abortion in cattle, resulting in substantial economic losses to beef and dairy industries. Marked differences in pathogenicity exist between N. caninum strains suggesting that intrinsic genetic differences exist between them. These differences likely exist in genes expressed during the tachyzoite lifecycle stage which is responsible for the pathogenesis of neosporosis. An improved understanding of these genetic differences is essential to understanding N. caninum virulence, though such knowledge is scarce. Using a variant detection workflow we compared the tachyzoite transcriptomes of two N. caninum strains with different virulence properties: NC-Liverpool (virulent) and NC-Nowra (avirulent). This workflow identified 3130 SNPs and 6123 indels between the strains, and nine markers capturing 30 variants were Sanger sequenced for both strains. Sequencing of these loci was extended to an additional eight strains and subsequent phylogenetic analysis supported a genetic population structure comprised of two major clades with no geographical segregation. Sequence polymorphisms within coding regions of tachyzoite-associated genes were concentrated on chromosomes XI and XII, with 19 distinct tachyzoite-associated SNP hotspot regions identified within coding regions of the N. caninum nuclear genome. The variants were predominantly located in loci associated with protein binding, protein-protein interactions, transcription, and translation. Furthermore, 468 nonsynonymous SNPs identified within protein-coding genes were associated with protein kinase activity, protein binding, protein phosphorylation, and proteolysis. This work may implicate these processes and the specific proteins involved as novel effectors of N. caninum tachyzoite virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Calarco
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joel Barratt
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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9
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Jawor P, Król D, Mee JF, Sołtysiak Z, Dzimira S, Larska M, Stefaniak T. Infection exposure, detection and causes of death in perinatal mortalities in Polish dairy herds. Theriogenology 2017; 103:130-136. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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10
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Marin MS, Hecker YP, Quintana S, Pérez SE, Leunda MR, Cantón GJ, Cobo ER, Moore DP, Odeón AC. Immunization with inactivated antigens of Neospora caninum induces toll-like receptors 3, 7, 8 and 9 in maternal-fetal interface of infected pregnant heifers. Vet Parasitol 2017; 243:12-17. [PMID: 28807280 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an obligate parasite and a major cause of abortion in cattle. Pregnancy failures appear to be associated with weak innate defences on the maternal-fetal interface during infection with N. caninum. Herein, we studied the gene expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in pregnant heifers immunized with different vaccine formulations against N. caninum before mating and then challenged the heifers with live N. caninum on day 70 of gestation. TLR7 and TLR8 expression was upregulated in the placental caruncle of infected-pregnant heifers previously exposed to live N. caninum as immunogen. However, TLR7 and 8 expression in both placenta and caruncle as well as, TLR3 and 9 expression in caruncle were upregulated when heifers were previously immunized with inactivated soluble whole antigens and recombinant NcSAG1, NcHSP20 and NcGRA7 proteins. All dams were carrying viable fetuses when they were culled at day 104 of gestation. Upregulation of TLR7 and IFNγ expression was detected in fetal spleen when their mothers where previously vaccinated with soluble antigens and recombinant NcSAG1, NcHSP20 and NcGRA7 proteins. These studies demonstrate that soluble or recombinant NcSAG1, NcHSP20 and NcGRA7 antigens induce key TLRs expression at the maternal-fetal interface, probably triggering damaging inflammatory cellular immune responses associated with abortion. Previous infection with N. caninum seems to attenuate the innate immune response at the maternal-fetal interface, which could favour pregnancy maintenance and perpetuation of the disease. This finding represents novel information on how N. caninum vaccination and infection modulate TLRs expression at the placenta and fetal spleen, the possible role in the pregnancy outcomes and transplacental transmission of the protozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Marin
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rivadavia 1917, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Ruta 226 Km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Y P Hecker
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rivadavia 1917, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Ruta 226 Km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S Quintana
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rivadavia 1917, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, UNMDP, Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S E Pérez
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rivadavia 1917, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil (CIVETAN, CONICET-CICPBA), Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNCPBA, Paraje Arroyo Seco s/n, 7000 Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M R Leunda
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Ruta 226 Km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G J Cantón
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Ruta 226 Km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - E R Cobo
- Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - D P Moore
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Rivadavia 1917, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Ruta 226 Km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A C Odeón
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce, Ruta 226 Km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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11
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Mansilla FC, Quintana ME, Cardoso NP, Capozzo AV. Fusion of foreign T-cell epitopes and addition of TLR agonists enhance immunity againstNeospora caninumprofilin in cattle. Parasite Immunol 2016; 38:663-669. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. C. Mansilla
- INTA-Instituto de Virología. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - M. E. Quintana
- INTA-Instituto de Virología. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
- CONICET. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - N. P. Cardoso
- INTA-Instituto de Virología. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
- CONICET. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - A. V. Capozzo
- INTA-Instituto de Virología. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
- CONICET. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Buenos Aires Argentina
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12
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Foetal death in naive heifers inoculated with Neospora caninum isolate Nc-Spain7 at 110 days of pregnancy. Exp Parasitol 2016; 168:62-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2016.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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13
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Maternal and foetal cytokine production in dams naturally and experimentally infected with Neospora caninum on gestation day 110. Res Vet Sci 2016; 107:55-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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14
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Horcajo P, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Aguado-Martínez A, Hemphill A, Ortega-Mora LM. Vaccines for bovine neosporosis: current status and key aspects for development. Parasite Immunol 2016; 38:709-723. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. Horcajo
- SALUVET; Animal Health Department; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences; Complutense University of Madrid; Madrid Spain
| | - J. Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET; Animal Health Department; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences; Complutense University of Madrid; Madrid Spain
| | - A. Aguado-Martínez
- Institute of Parasitology; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - A. Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
| | - L. M. Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET; Animal Health Department; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences; Complutense University of Madrid; Madrid Spain
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15
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Porto WJN, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Kim PDCP, Benavides J, Silva ACDS, Horcajo P, Oliveira AADF, Ferre I, Mota RA, Ortega-Mora LM. Experimental caprine neosporosis: the influence of gestational stage on the outcome of infection. Vet Res 2016; 47:29. [PMID: 26864744 PMCID: PMC4750177 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-016-0312-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we assessed outcome of experimental infection by Neospora caninum in goats intravenously inoculated with 10(6) tachyzoites of the Nc-Spain7 isolate at 40 (G1), 90 (G2) and 120 (G3) days of gestation. Infected goats had fever between 5 and 9 days post inoculation (dpi); all were seropositive at the time of abortion/birth. Foetal death occurred in G1 from 10 to 21 dpi (n = 7) and in G2 from 27 to 35 dpi (n = 4). Goats in G2 also had seropositive stillbirth (n = 1) and healthy kids (n = 2). G3 goats (n = 7) had 3 seropositive and 3 seronegative weak kids, and 2 seronegative healthy kids. Parasite DNA detection in placentomes was 100% in G2, 85.7% in G3 and in G1 was detected only in placentomes from the goats with foetal losses from 17 dpi (100%). Parasites were detected in foetal/kid brain (>85.7%) and liver (≥ 50%) of G2 and G3, and in G1 after 17 dpi (100%). The highest parasite loads were detected in the placentomes of G1 from 17 dpi and G2, and in foetal tissues of G1 from 17 dpi and G3. Multifocal necrotic lesions were observed in the placentas of the three groups, but they were larger and more frequent in G1 and G2. Similar lesions were observed in foetal tissues, but they were more frequent in G3. These findings suggest that, as observed in cattle and sheep, the clinical consequences of N. caninum in pregnant goats are dependent in part on the time of gestation when animals were infected.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Javier Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Julio Benavides
- Livestock Health and Production Institute (ULE-CSIC), 24346, León, Spain.
| | | | - Pilar Horcajo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rinaldo Aparecido Mota
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
| | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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16
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Hecker YP, Cantón G, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Chianini F, Morrell E, Lischinsky L, Ortega-Mora LM, Innes EA, Odeón A, Campero CM, Moore DP. Cell mediated immune responses in the placenta following challenge of vaccinated pregnant heifers with Neospora caninum. Vet Parasitol 2015; 214:247-54. [PMID: 26553499 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Revised: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate and correlate the cell-mediated immune response and pathological changes at the maternal-fetal interface of Neospora-challenged pregnant cattle previously immunized with live and inactivated experimental vaccines. Pregnant heifers naïve to Neospora caninum were divided in 5 groups of 4 animals, each one immunized before mating: Group A heifers were intravenously (iv) immunized with 6.25 × 10(7) live tachyzoites of the NC-6 strain; group B heifers were immunized twice subcutaneously (sc) 3 weeks apart with native antigen extract of the NC-6 strain formulated with ISCOMs; group C heifers were sc immunized twice 3 weeks apart with three recombinant proteins (rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20, rNcGRA7) of the NC-1 strain formulated with ISCOMs; group D heifers were sc injected with sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and group E heifers received sc ISCOM-matrix (ISCOMs without antigen). All groups were iv-challenged with 4.7 × 10(7) NC-1 tachyzoites at 70 days of gestation. Heifers were culled at day 104 of gestation and placentomes were examined to evaluate lesions and local cellular immune responses using histopathology, immunohistochemistry and real time-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was performed using bovine leucocyte specific antibodies. Cytokine expression and levels (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and TNF-α) were measured using real-time reverse transcription-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Minimal inflammation was observed in group A placentomes; while placentomes from group B, C, D and E had moderate to severe infiltration with CD3(+), CD4(+), γδ-T cells, CD8(+) cells and macrophages being more numerous in groups B and E placentomes, when compared with groups C and D (P<0.001). Cytokine levels were significantly increased in the caruncles of animals of groups B and C in comparison with the other animal groups (P < 0.001). The results from this study showed that the strongest cellular immune responses were observed in the placentomes of animals that were immunized with inactivated vaccines (groups B and C) and in the placentomes of animals that were sc-sham-inoculated (groups D and E). On the other hand, animals that were immunized with live tachyzoites showed a milder immune cell infiltration to the placenta possibly due to the existence of a protective systemic maternal immune response that helped to minimize N. caninum infection at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y P Hecker
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina.
| | - G Cantón
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - J Regidor-Cerrillo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - F Chianini
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - E Morrell
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - L Lischinsky
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - L M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - E A Innes
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Edinburgh EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - A Odeón
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - C M Campero
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - D P Moore
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), CC 276, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
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17
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The effect of a live Neospora caninum tachyzoite vaccine in naturally infected pregnant dairy cows. Prev Vet Med 2015; 120:232-235. [PMID: 25890821 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Neosporosis, caused by the intracellular protozoan Neospora caninum, is a major cause of abortion and reproductive failure in cattle worldwide. The principal route of transmission of neosporosis is via in utero infection of the offspring. There is no effective prophylactic treatment or vaccine available against bovine neosporosis. A N. caninum NcIs491 isolate was examined for its ability to immunize and reduce abortions in naturally infected dairy cows under field conditions. N. caninum-seropositive pregnant dams were inoculated with 10(8) live tachyzoites during mid-term pregnancy. A total of 520 N. caninum seropositive dams were included in this study, of these, 146 were immunized and 374 cows served as a non-vaccinated control group. A significantly lower incidence of abortion was observed in vaccinated compared to non-vaccinated cows, 16 and 26% respectively (P=0.01), with a vaccine efficacy of 39%. However, the number of seropositive offspring remained similar in both groups. Overall, this field trial suggests that vaccination with live N. caninum tachyzoites should be considered as an effective measure to reduce abortions caused by neosporosis in naturally infected cows.
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18
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Syed-Hussain SS, Howe L, Pomroy WE, West DM, Hardcastle M, Williamson NB. Vertical transmission in experimentally infected sheep despite previous inoculation with Neospora caninum NcNZ1 isolate. Vet Parasitol 2015; 208:150-8. [PMID: 25638717 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 11/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Recent reports indicate N. caninum has a possible role in causing abortions in sheep in New Zealand. Knowledge about the mode of transmission of neosporosis in sheep in New Zealand is limited. This study aimed to determine the rate of vertical transmission that would occur in lambs born from experimentally inoculated ewes and to determine if previous inoculation would protect the lambs from N. caninum infection. A group of 50 ewes was divided into 2 groups with one group being inoculated with 5×10(6) N. caninum tachyzoites prior to pregnancy in Year 1. In Year 2, each of these groups was subdivided into 2 groups with one from each original group being inoculated with 1×10(7) N. caninum tachyzoites on Day 120 of gestation. Inoculation of N. caninum tachyzoites into ewes prior to mating resulted in no congenital transmission in lambs born in Year 1 but without further inoculation, 7 out of 11 lambs in Year 2 were positive for N. caninum infection. Ewes that were inoculated in both years resulted in all 12 lambs born in Year 2 being positive for N. caninum infection. This indicates that previous inoculation in Year 1 did not result in any vertical transmission in that year but did not provide any protection against vertical transmission in Year 2. These results suggest that vertical transmission occurs readily once the ewe is infected.
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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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A Neospora caninum vaccine using recombinant proteins fails to prevent foetal infection in pregnant cattle after experimental intravenous challenge. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2014; 162:142-53. [PMID: 25467890 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20 and rNcGRA7 recombinant proteins formulated with immune stimulating complexes (ISCOMs) in pregnant heifers against vertical transmission of Neospora caninum. Twelve pregnant heifers were divided into 3 groups of 4 heifers each, receiving different formulations before mating. Immunogens were administered twice subcutaneously: group A animals were inoculated with three recombinant proteins (rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20, rNcGRA7) formulated with ISCOMs; group B animals received ISCOM-MATRIX (without antigen) and group C received sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) only. The recombinant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified nickel resin. All groups were intravenously challenged with the NC-1 strain of N. caninum at Day 70 of gestation and dams slaughtered at week 17 of the experiment. Heifers from group A developed specific antibodies against rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20 and rNcGRA7 prior to the challenge. Following immunization, an statistically significant increase of antibodies against rNcSAG1 and rNcHSP20 in all animals of group A was detected compared to animals in groups B and C at weeks 5, 13 and 16 (P<0.001). Levels of antibodies against rNcGRA7 were statistical higher in group A animals when compared with groups B and C at weeks 5 and 16 (P>0.001). There were no differences in IFN-γ production among the experimental groups at any time point (P>0.05). Transplacental transmission was determined in all foetuses of groups A, B and C by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and nested PCR. This work showed that rNcSAG1, rNcHSP20 and rNcGRA7 proteins while immunogenic in cattle failed to prevent the foetal infection in pregnant cattle challenged at Day 70 of gestation.
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20
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Cantón GJ, Katzer F, Maley SW, Bartley PM, Benavides-Silván J, Palarea-Albaladejo J, Pang Y, Smith SH, Rocchi M, Buxton D, Innes EA, Chianini F. Cytokine expression in the placenta of pregnant cattle after inoculation with Neospora caninum. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2014; 161:77-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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21
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Experimental ruminant models for bovine neosporosis: what is known and what is needed. Parasitology 2014; 141:1471-88. [PMID: 24926962 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182014000638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
At present, bovine neosporosis is an important worldwide concern because of its wide geographic distribution and economic impact. Abortion is the main clinical sign of bovine neosporosis in both dairy and beef cattle. Ruminant challenge models are critical to evaluate potential vaccine candidates to help tackle bovine neosporosis and to study pathogenesis and host responses to infection. Several research groups have developed ruminant models of Neospora caninum infection independently of others, resulting in a high degree of variability due to the use of different species of animals, breeds, strains/isolates of N. caninum, doses, routes and times of inoculation. Standardization is greatly needed to advance research in a more collaborative, timely and efficient manner. In the absence of widely accepted international guidelines, this manuscript serves to summarize and discuss the different models and parameters currently in use. Parameters essential for the development of non-pregnant and pregnant ruminant models are outlined and the main knowledge gaps are identified. This information could act as the basis to develop a consensus for international standard guidelines for ruminant models of neosporosis that would be helpful for researchers in this field worldwide.
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22
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Almería S, Serrano-Pérez B, Darwich L, Araujo RN, Lopez-Gatius F, Dubey JP, Gasbarre LC. Maternal and fetal immune response patterns in heifers experimentally infected with Neospora caninum in the second trimester of pregnancy--a descriptive study. Vet Parasitol 2014; 204:146-52. [PMID: 24880649 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Revised: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Fetal and maternal immune responses 3, 6 and 9 weeks post infection (wpi) were investigated in cows experimentally infected with Neospora caninum on day 110 of gestation. Descriptive analysis showed that the fetuses had lower percentages of spleen T cell subpopulations (CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+) at 6 wpi compared to 3 wpi and/or 9 wpi, with the lowest percentages observed in a dead fetus found upon euthanasia at that time. Increased expression of most cytokines over levels recorded at 3 and 9 wpi were found in fetuses that were alive at 6 wpi. Up-regulated Th1, Th2 and Treg expression was also observed at 6 wpi in the spleen and in the lymph nodes draining the placenta of the cows. At the placental level, while most cytokines were down-regulated from 6 wpi, up-regulation of IL-4 expression was observed at 6 wpi in the caruncle. Our results suggest that the immune response at 6 wpi was crucial for fetal survival in this model of bovine neosporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Almería
- Departament de Sanitat i d'Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària and Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | - L Darwich
- Departament de Sanitat i d'Anatomia Animals, Facultat de Veterinària and Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R N Araujo
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, ICB, Bloco I4, Sala 177, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - J P Dubey
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - L C Gasbarre
- Bovine Functional Genomic Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
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Monney T, Hemphill A. Vaccines against neosporosis: what can we learn from the past studies? Exp Parasitol 2014; 140:52-70. [PMID: 24602874 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Revised: 02/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an intracellular apicomplexan parasite, which is a leading cause of abortion in cattle; thus neosporosis represents an important veterinary health problem and is of high economic significance. The parasite can infect cattle via trans-placental transmission from an infected cow to its fetus (vertical transmission), or through the oral route via ingestion of food or water contaminated with oocysts that were previously shed with the feces of a canid definitive host (horizontal transmission). Although vaccination was considered a rational strategy to prevent bovine neosporosis, the only commercialized vaccine (Neoguard®) produced ambiguous results with relatively low efficacy, and was recently removed from the market. Therefore, there is a need to develop an efficient vaccine capable of preventing both, the horizontal transmission through infected food or water to a naïve animal as well as the vertical transmission from infected but clinically asymptomatic dams to the fetus. Different vaccine strategies have been investigated, including the use of live attenuated vaccines, killed parasite lysates, total antigens or antigen fractions from killed parasites, and subunit vaccines. The vast majority of experimental studies were performed in mice, and to a certain extent in gerbils, but there is also a large number of investigations that were conducted in cattle and sheep. However, it is difficult to directly compare these studies due to the high variability of the parameters employed. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances made in vaccine development against N. caninum in cattle and in mice and highlight the most important factors, which are likely to influence the degree of protection mediated by vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Monney
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Länggass-Strasse 122, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland.
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Pathogenicity of Nc-Bahia and Nc-1 strains of Neospora caninum in experimentally infected cows and buffaloes in early pregnancy. Parasitol Res 2014; 113:1521-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3796-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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25
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Neospora caninum tachyzoites inoculated by the conjunctival route are not vertically transmitted in pregnant cattle: A descriptive study. Vet Parasitol 2014; 199:1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Revised: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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26
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Pereira GR, Vogel FSF, Bohrer RC, da Nóbrega JE, Ilha GF, da Rosa PRA, Glanzner WG, Camillo G, Braunig P, de Oliveira JFC, Gonçalves PBD. Neospora caninum DNA detection by TaqMan real-time PCR assay in experimentally infected pregnant heifers. Vet Parasitol 2014; 199:129-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Revised: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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27
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Hecker Y, Moore D, Quattrocchi V, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Verna A, Leunda M, Morrell E, Ortega-Mora L, Zamorano P, Venturini M, Campero C. Immune response and protection provided by live tachyzoites and native antigens from the NC-6 Argentina strain of Neospora caninum in pregnant heifers. Vet Parasitol 2013; 197:436-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Revised: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 07/15/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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28
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Rojo-Montejo S, Collantes-Fernández E, Pérez-Zaballos F, Rodríguez-Marcos S, Blanco-Murcia J, Rodríguez-Bertos A, Prenafeta A, Ortega-Mora LM. Effect of vaccination of cattle with the low virulence Nc-Spain 1H isolate of Neospora caninum against a heterologous challenge in early and mid-gestation. Vet Res 2013; 44:106. [PMID: 24180373 PMCID: PMC4176088 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Live vaccines have emerged as one of the most potentially cost-effective measures for the control of bovine neosporosis. Previous studies have shown that Nc-Spain 1H is a naturally attenuated isolate of Neospora caninum and that immunisation with live Nc-Spain 1H tachyzoites generated a protective immune response in mice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of immunisation in cattle. N. caninum-seronegative heifers were immunised subcutaneously twice with 107 live Nc-Spain 1H tachyzoites prior to artificial insemination. No adverse reactions or negative effects on reproductive parameters were recorded following immunisation. In immunised and non-challenged heifers, no foetal deaths were observed, and none of the calves was congenitally infected. The efficacy against N. caninum-associated foetal death and vertical transmission was determined after challenge with high doses of the Nc-1 isolate at 70 and 135 days of gestation, respectively. After the challenge in early gestation, the immunisation induced a protection of 50% against foetal death. In addition, the microsatellite analysis performed in PCR-positive tissue samples from foetuses that died after challenge infection showed that the profiles corresponded to the challenge isolate Nc-1. A degree of protection against vertical transmission was observed after challenge at mid-gestation; calves from immunised heifers showed significantly lower pre-colostral Neospora-specific antibody titres than calves from the non-immunised/challenge group (P < 0.05). Strong antibody and interferon gamma responses were induced in the immunised heifers. This study indicates that the immunisation before pregnancy with the Nc-Spain 1H vaccine isolate appeared to be safe and reduced the occurrence of N. caninum-associated abortion and vertical transmission in experimentally infected cattle. In light of these encouraging results, the next step for testing this live attenuated candidate should be the assessment of its efficacy and safety in naturally infected cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Avda, Puerta de Hierro s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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29
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Bartley PM, Katzer F, Rocchi MS, Maley SW, Benavides J, Nath M, Pang Y, Cantón G, Thomson J, Chianini F, Innes EA. Development of maternal and foetal immune responses in cattle following experimental challenge with Neospora caninum at day 210 of gestation. Vet Res 2013; 44:91. [PMID: 24090114 PMCID: PMC3851480 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the immunological responses of pregnant cattle and their foetuses following an experimental challenge with live Neospora caninum tachyzoites at day 210 of gestation. Animals were bled prior to and weekly throughout the experiment and sacrificed at 14, 28, 42 and 56 days post inoculation (dpi). At post mortem examination, samples of lymph nodes and spleen were collected from both dam and foetus for immunological analysis. Subcutaneous (sc) inoculation over the left prefemoral (LPF) lymph node of pregnant cattle at day 210 of gestation, led to the vertical transmission of parasites by 14 dpi, however no foetal deaths were observed in the infected animals. Foetuses from infected dams mounted Neospora-specific humoral and cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses by 14 dpi. These responses involved anti-Neospora IgG, antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation, and the production of the cytokines IFN–γ, interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10. There was also evidence of innate immunity during the response against Neospora from infected dams, with statistically significant (p < 0.05) increases in mean expression of toll like receptors (TLR)-2 on 56 dpi in maternal spleen, LPF, right prefemoral (RPF), left uterine (LUL) and right uterine (RUL) lymph nodes and TLR-9 in retropharyngeal (RLN), LPF and RPF lymph nodes from 28 dpi. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) increases in mean TLR-9 were detected in spleen samples from foetuses of infected dams, compared to the foetuses from control animals. Our results show that vertical transmission of the parasite occurred in all infected dams, with their foetuses showing effective Neospora-specific cell mediated, humoral and innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Bartley
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, United Kingdom.
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30
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Mesquita LP, Nogueira CI, Costa RC, Orlando DR, Bruhn FR, Lopes PF, Nakagaki KY, Peconick AP, Seixas JN, Júnior PSB, Raymundo DL, Varaschin MS. Antibody kinetics in goats and conceptuses naturally infected with Neospora caninum. Vet Parasitol 2013; 196:327-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Revised: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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31
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Fitzpatrick J. Global food security: The impact of veterinary parasites and parasitologists. Vet Parasitol 2013; 195:233-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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32
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Cantón GJ, Katzer F, Benavides-Silván J, Maley SW, Palarea-Albaladejo J, Pang Y, Smith S, Bartley PM, Rocchi M, Innes EA, Chianini F. Phenotypic characterisation of the cellular immune infiltrate in placentas of cattle following experimental inoculation with Neospora caninum in late gestation. Vet Res 2013; 44:60. [PMID: 23876124 PMCID: PMC3726360 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite Neospora caninum being a major cause of bovine abortion worldwide, its pathogenesis is not completely understood. Neospora infection stimulates host cell-mediated immune responses, which may be responsible for the placental damage leading to abortion. The aim of the current study was to characterize the placental immune response following an experimental inoculation of pregnant cattle with N. caninum tachyzoites at day 210 of gestation. Cows were culled at 14, 28, 42 and 56 days post inoculation (dpi). Placentomes were examined by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against macrophages, T-cell subsets (CD4, CD8 and γδ), NK cells and B cells. Macrophages were detected mainly at 14 days post inoculation. Inflammation was generally mild and mainly characterized by CD3+, CD4+ and γδ T-cells; whereas CD8+ and NK cells were less numerous. The immune cell repertoire observed in this study was similar to those seen in pregnant cattle challenged with N. caninum at early gestation. However, cellular infiltrates were less severe than those seen during first trimester Neospora infections. This may explain the milder clinical outcome observed when animals are infected late in gestation.
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Nishimura M, Kohara J, Kuroda Y, Hiasa J, Tanaka S, Muroi Y, Kojima N, Furuoka H, Nishikawa Y. Oligomannose-coated liposome-entrapped dense granule protein 7 induces protective immune response to Neospora caninum in cattle. Vaccine 2013; 31:3528-35. [PMID: 23742998 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.05.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes abortion in cows. Vaccination is an important strategy for control of neosporosis, and a safe and effective vaccine suitable for cattle is required. Dense granule protein 7 of N. caninum (NcGRA7) is a secretory protein with high antigenicity in hosts. We demonstrated previously that NcGRA7 entrapped in liposomes coated with mannotriose (M3-NcGRA7) could induce a parasite-specific T-helper type 1 immune response and produce humoral antibodies that resulted in increased offspring survival and decreased infection in the brains of mice dams. In the present study, the efficacy of M3-NcGRA7 as a vaccine candidate against N. caninum has been evaluated in cattle (n=12). Cattle were immunized with M3-NcGRA7 containing 50 μg (n=4) or 200 μg NcGRA7 (n=4) subcutaneously twice with a 4-week interval and all cattle including the non-immunized controls (n=4) were inoculated with 10(7) tachyzoites of Nc-1 strain 27 days after the second immunization and euthanized at 85-87 days post infection (dpi). In immunized cattle, NcGRA7-specific antibody production and IFN-γ production in PBMC was induced before challenge. At 3 dpi, body temperature and concentration of serum IFN-γ tended to be higher in control cattle than in the immunized cattle. Furthermore, the parasite load in the brain significantly decreased in cattle immunized with 50 μg M3-NcGRA7 compared with controls. These results suggest that M3-NcGRA7 can induce protective immune responses to N. caninum tachyzoites in cattle, which could lead to practical application of safe and effective subunit vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maki Nishimura
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
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Sasani F, Javanbakht J, Seifori P, Fathi S, Hassan MA. Neospora caninum as causative agent of ovine encephalitis in Iran. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.7243/2052-7896-1-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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35
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Debache K, Hemphill A. Differential effects of intranasal vaccination with recombinant NcPDI in different mouse models ofNeospora caninuminfection. Parasite Immunol 2012; 35:11-20. [DOI: 10.1111/pim.12013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Debache
- Institute of Parasitology; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Berne; Berne; Switzerland
| | - A. Hemphill
- Institute of Parasitology; Vetsuisse Faculty; University of Berne; Berne; Switzerland
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36
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Debache K, Hemphill A. Intra-cisternal vaccination induces high-level protection against Neospora caninum infection in mice. Vaccine 2012; 30:4209-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.04.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Revised: 04/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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37
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Bartley PM, Wright SE, Maley SW, Macaldowie CN, Nath M, Hamilton CM, Katzer F, Buxton D, Innes EA. Maternal and foetal immune responses of cattle following an experimental challenge with Neospora caninum at day 70 of gestation. Vet Res 2012; 43:38. [PMID: 22536795 PMCID: PMC3416710 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-43-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Accepted: 04/26/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune responses of pregnant cattle and their foetuses were examined following inoculation on day 70 of gestation either intravenously (iv) (group 1) or subcutaneously (sc) (group 2) with live NC1 strain tachyzoites or with Vero cells (control) (group 3). Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) responses to Neospora antigen and foetal viability were assessed throughout the experiment. Two animals from each group were sacrificed at 14, 28, 42 and 56 days post inoculation (pi). At post mortem, maternal lymph nodes, spleen and PBMC and when possible foetal spleen, thymus and PBMC samples were collected for analysis. Inoculation with NC1 (iv and sc) lead to foetal deaths in all group 1 dams (6/6) and in 3/6 group 2 dams from day 28pi; statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases in cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses including antigen-specific cell proliferation and IFN-γ production as well as increased levels of IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12 were observed in challenged dams compared to the group 3 animals. Lymph node samples from the group 2 animals carrying live foetuses showed greater levels of cellular proliferation as well as significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher levels of IFN-γ compared to the dams in group 2 carrying dead foetuses. Foetal spleen, thymus and PBMC samples demonstrated cellular proliferation as well as IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12 production following mitogenic stimulation with Con A from day 14pi (day 84 gestation) onwards. This study shows that the generation of robust peripheral and local maternal CMI responses (lymphoproliferation, IFN-γ) may inhibit the vertical transmission of the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Bartley
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, United Kingdom.
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38
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Imre K, Morariu S, Ilie MS, Imre M, Ferrari N, Genchi C, Dărăbuş G. Serological survey of Neospora caninum infection in cattle herds from Western Romania. J Parasitol 2011; 98:683-5. [PMID: 22150344 DOI: 10.1645/ge-3023.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum samples from 376 randomly selected adult cattle, from 25 farms located in 3 counties (Arad, Bihor, and Timiş) from western Romania, were sampled for Neospora caninum antibodies using a commercial ELISA-kit. Seroprevalence values and risk factors for neosporosis (cow age, breed, herd size, farming system, previous abortion, and number of farm dogs) were examined using a generalized linear mixed model with a binomial distribution. Overall, the seroprevalence of N. caninum was 27.7% (104/376) with a prevalence of 27.9% (24/86) in Arad, 26.9% (25/93) in Bihor, and 27.9% (55/197) in Timiş. Of 25 cattle herds, 23 were seropositive with a prevalence ranging from 10.0 to 52.2%. No correlation was found between N. caninum seropositivity and age, breed, herd size, breeding system, and previous abortion. The number of farm dogs was the only factor (P(Wald) = 0.03) positively associated with seroprevalence in cows and can be considered the risk factor in the acquiring of infection. The present work is the first regarding serological evidence of N. caninum infection in cattle from western Romania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kálmán Imre
- Department of Food Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Timişoara, Calea Aradului nr. 119, 300645 Timişoara, Romania.
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39
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Rocchi MS, Bartley PM, Inglis NF, Collantes-Fernandez E, Entrican G, Katzer F, Innes EA. Selection of Neospora caninum antigens stimulating bovine CD4+ve T cell responses through immuno-potency screening and proteomic approaches. Vet Res 2011; 42:91. [PMID: 21813001 PMCID: PMC3167765 DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-42-91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2011] [Accepted: 08/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is recognised worldwide as a major cause of bovine infectious abortion. There is a real need to develop effective strategies to control infection during pregnancy which may lead to either abortion or congenital transmission. Due to the intracellular nature of the parasite, cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses involving CD4+ve, CD8+ve, γ/δ TCR+ve T cells and NK cells, as well as production of IFN-γ, are thought to be important for protective immunity. In this study we applied a combination of proteomic and immunological approaches to identify antigens of N. caninum that are recognized by CD4+ve T cell lines derived from infected cattle. Initially, N. caninum tachyzoite Water Soluble Antigens (NcWSA) were fractionated by size-exclusion HPLC and then screened for immune-potency using CD4+ve T cell lines. LC-ESI-MS/MS (liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry) was employed to catalogue and identify the proteins comprising three immunologically selected fractions and led to the identification of six N. caninum target proteins as well as sixteen functional orthologues of Toxoplasma gondii. This approach allows the screening of biologically reactive antigenic fractions by the immune cells responsible for protection (such as bovine CD4+ve cells) and the subsequent identification of the stimulating components using tandem mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara S Rocchi
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, UK.
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40
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Innes EA, Bartley PM, Rocchi M, Benavidas-Silvan J, Burrells A, Hotchkiss E, Chianini F, Canton G, Katzer F. Developing vaccines to control protozoan parasites in ruminants: Dead or alive? Vet Parasitol 2011; 180:155-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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41
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Almería S, Serrano B, Yàniz JL, Darwich L, López-Gatius F. Cytokine gene expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Neospora caninum naturally infected dams throughout gestation. Vet Parasitol 2011; 183:237-43. [PMID: 21846584 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2011] [Revised: 07/13/2011] [Accepted: 07/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle but it is not known why some infected animals suffer abortion while others do not. An essential role in protective immunity against N. caninum has been proposed for Th1 cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-12 although cytokine patterns in N. caninum infected pregnant cattle have been scarcely addressed. In this study, gene expression of the cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-10, IL-4 and TNF-α was analyzed by real time RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in N. caninum naturally infected dams throughout pregnancy. Blood samples were drawn from 18 cows (13 N. caninum seropositive and 5 N. caninum seronegative) on Days 45, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 of pregnancy or until abortion. Four seropositive animals aborted. Compared to the seronegative animals, N. caninum infected dams showed up-regulated mRNA levels of the Th1 cytokines, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-12p40, along with up-regulation of the T regulatory (Treg) cytokine IL-10. In contrast, expression levels of IL-4 (Th2 cytokine) did not differ significantly among the different groups throughout the study period. Our findings indicate clear differences in peripheral blood cytokine gene expression levels during pregnancy between animals naturally infected with N. caninum and seronegative control animals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the gene expression of Th1, Th2 and regulatory cytokines in the peripheral blood of pregnant cows naturally infected with N. caninum.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Almería
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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42
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Immune response to Neospora caninum native antigens formulated with immune stimulating complexes in calves. Vet Parasitol 2011; 175:245-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2010] [Revised: 08/19/2010] [Accepted: 10/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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43
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Neospora caninum: evaluation of vertical transmission in slaughtered beef cows (Bos indicus). Parasitol Res 2010; 108:1015-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-2146-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2010] [Accepted: 10/28/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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44
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Marugán-Hernández V, Alvarez-García G, Risco-Castillo V, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Ortega-Mora LM. Identification of Neospora caninum proteins regulated during the differentiation process from tachyzoite to bradyzoite stage by DIGE. Proteomics 2010; 10:1740-50. [PMID: 20162558 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200900664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Identification of differentially expressed proteins during Neospora caninum tachyzoite-bradyzoite conversion processes may lead to a better knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms developed by this important parasite of cattle. In the present work, a differential expression proteomic study of tachyzoite and bradyzoite stages was accomplished for the first time by applying DIGE technology coupled with MS analysis. Up to 72 differentially expressed spots were visualized (1.5-fold in relative abundance, p<0.05, t-test). A total of 53 spots were more abundant in bradyzoites and 19 spots in tachyzoites. MS analysis identified 26 proteins; 20 of them overexpressed in the bradyzoite stage and 6 in the tachyzoite stage. Among the novel proteins, enolase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (involved in glycolysis), HSP70 and HSP90 (related to stress response) as well as the dense granule protein GRA9, which showed higher abundance in the bradyzoite stage, might be highlighted. On the other hand, isocitrate dehydrogenase 2, involved in the Krebs cycle, was found to be more abundant in tachyzoites extract. Biological functions from most novel proteins were correlated with previously reported processes during the differentiation process in Toxoplasma gondii. Thus, DIGE technology arises as a suitable tool to study mechanisms involved in the N. caninum tachyzoite to bradyzoite conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Marugán-Hernández
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, Madrid, Spain
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45
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Neospora caninum and coxiella burnetii seropositivity are related to endocrine pattern changes during gestation in lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology 2010; 74:212-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2009] [Revised: 01/28/2010] [Accepted: 02/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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46
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Neospora caninum: Application of apical membrane antigen 1 encapsulated in the oligomannose-coated liposomes for reduction of offspring mortality from infection in BALB/c mice. Exp Parasitol 2010; 125:130-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2009] [Revised: 11/24/2009] [Accepted: 01/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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47
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Eastick FA, Elsheikha HM. Stress-driven stage transformation of Neospora caninum. Parasitol Res 2010; 106:1009-14. [PMID: 20165871 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-1788-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2008] [Accepted: 01/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Neosporiosis, a serious disease caused by the apicomplexan intracellular parasite Neospora caninum, is considered to be one of the most economically important diseases in cattle. It is associated with potentially serious complications such as abortion, stillbirth and maternal infertility. To survive in fluctuating physiological and immunological environments, N. caninum has evolved a diverse set of regulatory mechanisms that govern various adaptive responses. The most intriguing paradigm in N. caninum adaptive evolutionary biology is its ability to alternate between two phenotypically and functionally distinct stages within the host. Recent research has reinforced the notion that N. caninum tachyzoite-bradyzoite stage switching on and off is correlated with its ability to form dormant cysts. Knowledge of the specific mechanisms that govern the dynamics of N. caninum phenotype switching enables a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and effective control measures to be identified. Herein we review the available knowledge relating to various aspects of stage interconversion in N. caninum, with particular focus on the stress-related hypothesis presumed to be involved in this event. Finally, we put forward the postulation that N. caninum uses stage interconversion as an adaptive process to cope with the hostile environment within the host and to ensure its continuity in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faye A Eastick
- Division of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
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48
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Almería S, Araujo R, Tuo W, López-Gatius F, Dubey JP, Gasbarre LC. Fetal death in cows experimentally infected with Neospora caninum at 110 days of gestation. Vet Parasitol 2010; 169:304-11. [PMID: 20089361 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2009] [Revised: 12/16/2009] [Accepted: 12/30/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a major cause of abortion in cattle, but the reasons why some animals abort and not others remain unclear. Most of the N. caninum experimental primary infections in cattle late in gestation, after 120 days of pregnancy, result in birth of full-term congenitally infected fetuses. In the present study, the distribution of parasites and pathogenesis of infection in both dams and fetuses after inoculation with 10(7) culture derived tachyzoites of N. caninum NC-Illinois cattle strain at 110 days of gestation were analyzed at 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 9 weeks after infection (WAI) in eight Angus heifers. One dam from the group euthanized at 6 WAI had a dead fetus at necropsy. Extensive lesions were observed in the placenta and tachyzoites were detected in both the placenta and the fetus. The fetus was seropositive and had high IFN-gamma g production in fetal fluids. Another fetus, still alive when euthanized at 3 WAI, had severe lesions and high IFN-gamma production and a similar fate could have been expected if the experimental period would have been longer. Lesions in the placenta of the remaining six dams that had live fetuses at necropsy were mild. In those dams, the fetal and maternal placentas had not separated and contained focal areas of placentitis at the materno-fetal junction. Transplacental infection took place on all fetuses based on detection of parasitic DNA in fetal tissues. The present study shows that experimental N. caninum infection of naïve dams after 110 days of pregnancy can lead to fetal death. The results suggest that the severity of placental lesions and the strong IFN-gamma response in some fetuses, possibly as part of the immune response trying to control the high parasitemia, might, in fact, be the cause of their death.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Almería
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), UAB-IRTA, and Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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Protection against lethal Neospora caninum infection in mice induced by heterologous vaccination with a mic1 mic3 knockout Toxoplasma gondii strain. Infect Immun 2009; 78:651-60. [PMID: 19995895 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00703-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are closely related, obligate intracellular parasites infecting a wide range of vertebrate hosts and causing abortion and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Several lines of evidence suggest that cross immunity between these two pathogens could be exploited in the design of strategies for heterologous vaccination. We assessed the ability of an attenuated strain of T. gondii ("mic1-3KO strain") conferring strong protection against chronic and congenital toxoplasmosis to protect mice against lethal N. caninum infection. Mice immunized with mic1-3KO tachyzoites by the oral and intraperitoneal routes developed a strong cellular Th1 response and displayed significant protection against lethal heterologous N. caninum infection, with survival rates of 70% and 80%, respectively, whereas only 30% of the nonimmunized mice survived. We report here the acquisition of heterologous protective immunity against N. caninum following immunization with a live attenuated mic1-3KO strain of T. gondii.
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Yániz J, López-Gatius F, Almería S, Carretero T, García-Ispierto I, Serrano B, Smith R, Dobson H, Santolaria P. Dynamics of heat shock protein 70 concentrations in peripheral blood lymphocyte lysates during pregnancy in lactating Holstein-Friesian cows. Theriogenology 2009; 72:1041-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2009.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2009] [Revised: 06/08/2009] [Accepted: 06/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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