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Antonello A, Cadore G, Pivoto F, Camillo G, Braunig P, Sangioni L, Pompermayer E, Gondim L, Vogel F. Intra-uterine exposure of horses to Sarcocystis spp. antigens. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2016. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-8227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the intra-uterine exposure to Sarcocystis spp. antigens, determining the number of foals with detectable concentrations of antibodies against these agents in the serum, before colostrum ingestion and collect data about exposure of horses to the parasite. Serum samples were collected from 195 thoroughbred mares and their newborns in two farms from southern Brazil. Parasite specific antibody responses to Sarcocystis antigens were detected using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and immunoblot analysis. In 84.1% (159/189) of the pregnant mares and in 7.4% (14/189) of foals we detected antibodies anti-Sarcocystis spp. by IFAT. All samples seropositive from foals were also positive in their respective mares. Serum samples of seropositive foals by IFAT, showed no reactivity on the immunoblot, having as antigens S. neurona merozoites. In conclusion, the intra-uterine exposure to Sarcocystis spp. antigens in horses was demonstrated, with occurrence not only in mares, but also in their foals, before colostrum ingestion these occurrences were reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - G. Camillo
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brasil
| | - P. Braunig
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brasil
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Dubey JP, Howe DK, Furr M, Saville WJ, Marsh AE, Reed SM, Grigg ME. An update on Sarcocystis neurona infections in animals and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Vet Parasitol 2015; 209:1-42. [PMID: 25737052 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious disease of horses, and its management continues to be a challenge for veterinarians. The protozoan Sarcocystis neurona is most commonly associated with EPM. S. neurona has emerged as a common cause of mortality in marine mammals, especially sea otters (Enhydra lutris). EPM-like illness has also been recorded in several other mammals, including domestic dogs and cats. This paper updates S. neurona and EPM information from the last 15 years on the advances regarding life cycle, molecular biology, epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
| | - D K Howe
- M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA
| | - M Furr
- Marion du Pont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, 17690 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg, VA 20176, USA
| | - W J Saville
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - A E Marsh
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - S M Reed
- Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY 40511, USA
| | - M E Grigg
- Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Allergy, and Infectious Diseases, 4 Center Drive, Room B1-06, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Seroprevalence of Sarcocystis neurona and Its Association With Neurologic Disorders in Argentinean Horses. J Equine Vet Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2014.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Antonello AM, Pivoto FL, Camillo G, Braunig P, Sangioni LA, Pompermayer E, Vogel FSF. The importance of vertical transmission of Neospora sp. in naturally infected horses. Vet Parasitol 2012; 187:367-70. [PMID: 22436425 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2011] [Revised: 01/31/2012] [Accepted: 02/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Neospora spp. is a intracellular protozoan phylogenetically closely related to Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis neurona, and it can infect horses leading to the development of reproductive or neurological diseases. We determined the presence of antibodies to Neospora sp. in mares at their parturition time and determine the frequency of vertical transmission in healthy foals to verify the importance of transplacental transmission. The samples were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test, showing that seroprevalence in mares is higher than in foals and seropositive mares are likely to transmit the neosporosis to their offspring. This shows that endogenous challenge occurs in horses, and it suggests that this protozoan can be disseminated by means of transplacental transmission in horse species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Antonello
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva (DMVP), Centro de Ciências Rurais (CCR), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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Finno CJ, Aleman M, Pusterla N. Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis Associated with Neosporosis in 3 Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2007.tb01966.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Pellegrini-Masini A, Livesey LC. Meningitis and Encephalomyelitis in Horses. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2006; 22:553-89, x. [PMID: 16882487 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2006.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This article provides an overview of meningitis and encephalomyelitis in horses, including diagnostic tests, treatment developments, and preventative measures reported in the equine and human medical literature of the past few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pellegrini-Masini
- Equine Section, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
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Brown CM, Morrow JK, Carleton CL, Ramanathan B, Reddy R, Vaidya V, Karthikeyan SM, Zulfikar AA, Kannadkar VS. Persistence of Serum Antibodies to Sarcocystis neuvonain Horses Moved from North America to India. J Vet Intern Med 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2006.tb01817.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Duarte PC, Conrad PA, Barr BC, Wilson WD, Ferraro GL, Packham AE, Carpenter TE, Gardner IA. RISK OF TRANSPLACENTAL TRANSMISSION OF SARCOCYSTIS NEURONA AND NEOSPORA HUGHESI IN CALIFORNIA HORSES. J Parasitol 2004; 90:1345-51. [PMID: 15715226 DOI: 10.1645/ge-3372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The study objective was to assess the risk of transplacental transmission of Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi in foals from 4 California farms during 3 foaling seasons. Serum of presuckle foals and serum and colostrum of periparturient mares were tested using indirect fluorescent antibody tests for S. neurona and N. hughesi. Serum antibody titers were < or =10 in 366 presuckle foals tested. There was no serologic or histologic evidence of either parasite in aborted fetuses or placentas examined. Positivity for S. neurona and N. hughesi in mares increased with age. Mares < or =9 yr that originated from Kentucky were 3.8 and 1.4 times more likely to be positive for S. neurona and N. hughesi, respectively, than mares from California. The strength of association between positivity to either parasite and state of birth decreased as age increased. Mares positive for S. neurona and N. hughesi were 2.2 and 1.7 times more likely, respectively, to have a previous abortion than negative mares, adjusted for age and state of birth. The annual mortality rate for mares was 4%. The annual incidence rate of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis was 0.2%. In conclusion, there was no detectable risk of transplacental transmission of S. neurona and N. hughesi. Prevalence of antibodies against both parasites in mares increased with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo C Duarte
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, USA.
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Duarte PC, Conrad PA, Wilson WD, Ferraro GL, Packham AE, Bowers-Lepore J, Carpenter TE, Gardner IA. Risk of postnatal exposure to Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi in horses. Am J Vet Res 2004; 65:1047-52. [PMID: 15334837 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2004.65.1047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate risk of exposure and age at first exposure to Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi and time to maternal antibody decay in foals. ANIMALS 484 Thoroughbred and Warmblood foals from 4 farms in California. PROCEDURE Serum was collected before and after colostrum ingestion and at 3-month intervals thereafter. Samples were tested by use of the indirect fluorescent antibody test; cutoff titers were > or = 40 and > or = 160 for S neurona and N hughesi, respectively. RESULTS Risk of exposure to S neurona and N hughesi during the study were 8.2% and 3.1%, respectively. Annual rate of exposure was 3.1% for S neurona and 1.7% for N hughesi. There was a significant difference in the risk of exposure to S neurona among farms but not in the risk of exposure to N hughesi. Median age at first exposure was 1.2 years for S neurona and 0.8 years for N hughesi. Highest prevalence of antibodies against S neurona and N hughesi was 6% and 2.1 %, respectively, at a mean age of 1.7 and 1.4 years, respectively. Median time to maternal antibody decay was 96 days for S neurona and 91 days for N hughesi. There were no clinical cases of equine protozoal myeloenchaphlitis (EPM). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Exposure to S neurona and N hughesi was low in foals between birth and 2.5 years of age. Maternally acquired antibodies may cause false-positive results for 3 or 4 months after birth, and EPM was a rare clinical disease in horses < or = 2.5 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo C Duarte
- Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Rossano MG, Kaneene JB, Marteniuk JV, Banks BD, Schott HC, Mansfield LS. A herd-level analysis of risk factors for antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona in Michigan equids. Prev Vet Med 2003; 57:7-13. [PMID: 12547171 DOI: 10.1016/s0167-5877(02)00192-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a neurological disease of horses and ponies caused by infection of the central nervous system with the protozoan parasite Sarcocystis neurona. A herd-level analysis of a cross-sectional study of serum antibodies to S. neurona in Michigan equids was conducted, using data collected in 1997 for study that included 1121 equids from 98 Michigan horse farms. Our objective was to identify specific herd-level risk factors associated with seropositivity. We tested associations between herd seroprevalence and various farm-management practices (including feed-storage methods and wildlife control). Multivariable models were developed for three strata based on relative opossum abundance (opossum districts). Herd seroprevalence ranged from 0 to 100% (median=57%). No risk factor was significantly associated with herd seroprevalence at P< or = 0.05 in all opossum districts. Our results suggest that equids living in areas with large opossum populations might be infected with S. neurona from multiple sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Rossano
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Population Medicine Center, A-109 Veterinary Medical Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1314, USA
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Cook AG, Maxwell VB, Donaldson LL, Parker NA, Ward DL, Morrow JK. Detection of antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona in cerebrospinal fluid from clinically normal neonatal foals. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002; 220:208-11. [PMID: 12126132 DOI: 10.2460/javma.2002.220.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona could be detected in CSF from clinically normal neonatal (2 to 7 days old) and young (2 to 3 months old) foals. DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS 15 clinically normal neonatal Thoroughbred foals. PROCEDURE Serum and CSF samples were obtained from foals at 2 to 7 days of age and tested for antibodies against S. neurona by means of western blotting. Serum samples from the mares were also tested for antibodies against S. neurona. Additional CSF and blood samples were obtained from 5 foals between 13 and 41 days after birth and between 62 and 90 days after birth. RESULTS Antibodies against S. neurona were detected in serum from 13 mares and their foals; antibodies against S. neurona were detected in CSF from 12 of these 13 foals. Degree of immunoreactivity in serum and CSF decreased over time, and antibodies against S. neurona were no longer detected in CSF from 2 foals 83 and 84 days after birth. However, antibodies could still be detected in CSF from the other 3 foals between 62 and 90 days after birth. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicate that antibodies against S. neurona can be detected in CSF from clinically normal neonatal (2 to 7 days old) foals born to seropositive mares. This suggests that western blotting of CSF cannot be reliably used to diagnose equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in foals < 3 months of age born to seropositive mares.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Grimsley Cook
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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