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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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Campero LM, Basso W, Moré G, Fiorani F, Hecker YP, Echaide I, Cantón GJ, Cirone KM, Campero CM, Venturini MC, Moore DP. Neosporosis in Argentina: Past, present and future perspectives. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 41:100882. [PMID: 37208088 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Neosporosis, caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum, was first diagnosed in Argentinean cattle in the 90's. With a national bovine stock of approximately 53 million head, the cattle industry is socially and economically relevant. Severe economic losses have been estimated at US$ 33 and 12 million annually in dairy and beef cattle, respectively. Approximately 9% of bovine abortions in the Buenos Aires province are caused by N. caninum. In 2001, the first isolation of N. caninum oocysts from feces of a naturally infected dog was performed in Argentina and named as NC-6 Argentina. Further strains were isolated from cattle (NC-Argentina LP1, NC-Argentina LP2) and axis deer (Axis axis, NC-Axis). Epidemiological studies revealed a high distribution of Neospora-infections not only in dairy but also in beef cattle, with seroprevalence rates of 16.6-88.8% and 0-73%, respectively. Several experimental infection studies in cattle have been carried out, as well as attempts to develop effective vaccines to avoid Neospora-abortions and transmission. However, no vaccine has proven successful for its use in daily practice. Reduction of seroprevalence, vertical transmission and Neospora-related abortions have been achieved in dairy farms by the use of selective breeding strategies and embryo transfer. Neospora-infections have been also detected in goats, sheep, deer, water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and gray foxes (Lycalopex griseus). Moreover, Neospora-related reproductive losses were reported in small ruminants and deer species and could be more frequent than previously thought. Even though diagnostic methods have been improved during the last decades, control of neosporosis is still not optimal. The development of new strategies including new antiprotozoal drugs and vaccines is highly needed. This paper reviews the information from the previous 28 years of research of N. caninum in Argentina, including seroprevalence and epidemiological studies, available diagnostic techniques, experimental reproduction, immunization strategies, isolations and control measures in domestic and non-domestic animals from Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Campero
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz, 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - W Basso
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - G Moré
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz, 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - F Fiorani
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz, 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina; Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Y P Hecker
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz, 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina; SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - I Echaide
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology, INTA E.E.A, Rafaela, Argentina
| | - G J Cantón
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology, INTA E.E.A Balcarce, Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - K M Cirone
- Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina; National Institute of Agricultural Technology, INTA E.E.A Balcarce, Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - C M Campero
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology, INTA E.E.A Balcarce, Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - M C Venturini
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, National University of La Plata, 60 and 118 s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| | - D P Moore
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz, 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS Balcarce), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina; Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Ruta 226, km 73.5, 7620 Balcarce, Argentina.
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Samkange A, Chitanga S, Tjipura-Zaire GN, Mutjavikua VG, Smith JW, Neves L, Matjila T. Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of bovine neosporosis in the Khomas region of Namibia. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2023; 90:e1-e8. [PMID: 37042558 PMCID: PMC10157435 DOI: 10.4102/ojvr.v90i1.2077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a coccidian parasite that occurs worldwide and is one of the most important causes of abortion, especially in cattle. However, no studies have been performed in Namibia to determine the N. caninum status in livestock. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum in cattle and the associated risk factors in the Khomas region of Namibia. A total of 736 sera were collected from cows in 32 farming establishments. These comprised 698 beef and 38 dairy cattle sera and were tested using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Questionnaires were concurrently administered to determine possible risk factors associated with N. caninum seropositivity. A total of 42 sera were positive (all beef), giving an animal-level seroprevalence rate of 5.7%. Eight of the 32 establishments had at least one positive animal, giving a herd-level seroprevalence of 25%. There was no significant association between seropositivity and the presence of dogs, jackals, history of abortions, farm size, number of cattle or average annual rainfall. The establishments with moderate to high numbers of Feliformia were 9.8 times more likely to be seropositive to N. caninum than those with none to low levels of the former (p = 0.0245). The authors concluded that the seroprevalence level of N. caninum in the Khomas region was relatively low compared with other parts of the world and that the role of Feliformia in the epidemiology of bovine neosporosis needed to be further investigated.Contribution: Serological evidence of bovine neosporosis and the associated risk factors are reported in Namibia for the first time. This study contributes to the scientific body of knowledge on N. caninum in Africa, which is currently limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaster Samkange
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; and, Department of Production Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek.
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van Velsen CM. Neosporosis in bulls: potential for venereal transmission, and effect on semen quality and production. N Z Vet J 2021; 69:193-200. [PMID: 33441050 DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2020.1854883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum caninum is a protozoan parasite that can cause abortions, birth of congenitally infected calves, and reduced milk production in cattle. Neosporosis in cattle can be transmitted through vertical transplacental transmission from dam to calf, or through horizontal transmission between animals. While it is well established that horizontal transmission from dogs (the definitive host) to cattle (an intermediate host) occurs, it is not clear whether horizontal transmission may occur between cows and bulls during mating. Transmission via infected semen of seropositive bulls was suggested when N. caninum DNA was found in bull semen. The primary objective of this article is to critically evaluate the evidence for venereal transmission of N. caninum between cattle, to determine whether this transmission route is likely to occur. A secondary objective is to review and evaluate published evidence for whether neosporosis in bulls may affect semen quality and production. N. caninum DNA can be detected by PCR in occasional batches of semen straws from bulls that are seropositive for N. caninum. Insemination of heifers with semen experimentally infected with 5 × 104 N. caninum tachyzoites has caused persistent seroconversion in some animals. However, the highest concentration of parasites in the semen of naturally infected bulls was estimated, using quantitative PCR, as 10 tachyzoites. Thus it appears that, whether used for natural or artificial insemination, the semen of bulls naturally infected with N. caninum, does not contain the necessary intrauterine dose of tachyzoites to cause persistent seroconversion in a heifer or cow. Thus, based on the available evidence, the venereal transmission of N. caninum via bull semen is extremely unlikely. Nevertheless, neosporosis in bulls may influence semen quality and production. Epididymal semen concentration, viability, and motility appeared "to be" significantly decreased in N. caninum-seropositive bulls compared to seronegative bulls. Furthermore, semen production could be altered if neosporosis affects the thyroid gland. The thyroid hormones such as triiodothyronine and thyroxine (T4) may affect testicular development. Significantly lower concentrations of T4 were observed in the blood of N. caninum-seropositive, compared with those of seronegative bulls. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the long-term effect and significance of neosporosis on semen quality and thyroid hormone concentrations in bulls.
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Demir PA, Eşki F, Ütük AE. Estimating the total economic costs of Neospora caninum infections in dairy cows in Turkey. Trop Anim Health Prod 2020; 52:3251-3258. [PMID: 32691375 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-020-02351-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the total cost of Neospora caninum infection in cows in Turkey. According to present literature, the mean seroprevalence of infection was estimated as 14.7%. The seropositivity rate of N. caninum in aborted cows was found to be 18%. The financial costs were estimated in US$ at 2019 prices. The total cost of N. caninum infection was estimated at US$710 (438-1043) per a dairy cow and the annual economic costs were estimated at US$40.5 (24.6-60.3) million for Turkey. In this study, the distribution of economic costs caused by neosporosis per cow was determined to be 67.3% for abortion, 16.8% prolonged calving interval, 4.6% milk loss, 3.5% additional artificial insemination, and 7.7% veterinary and diagnostic costs, respectively. All studies that have been conducted so far on Neosporosis are focused on the prevalence and the diagnosis of the disease in Turkey. In this study, we firstly determined the economic costs due to N. caninum infections and try to attract attention on the economic impacts of the disease. As a result, awareness among breeders regarding the epidemiology, control, and eradication of neosporosis should be raised through training activities; coordination between the relevant institutions and organizations should be ensured; emergency action plans should be prepared; and further spread of the disease should be prevented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pınar Ayvazoğlu Demir
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Livestock Economics and Management, Kafkas University, 36100, Kars, Turkey
| | - Funda Eşki
- Faculty of Ceyhan Veterinary Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey.
| | - Armağan E Ütük
- Faculty of Ceyhan Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Cukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey
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Neospora caninum Natural Infection in Tunisian Rams: Serological Study and Molecular Identification of Infection in Semen. Acta Parasitol 2019; 64:821-828. [PMID: 31418166 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-019-00105-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence and molecular prevalence and perform a molecular identification of Neospora caninum in semen of Tunisian rams. METHODS A total of 92 blood samples were collected from four farms located in four Tunisian governorates (Jendouba, Kairouan, Zaghouan and Ben Arous) and samples were screened with a commercial ELISA kit for N. caninum antibodies. For the same rams, semen samples were collected and tested for the presence of N. caninum ITS1 gene using PCR. Five amplicons were randomly selected for sequencing. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to compare the partial sequences of the ITS1 gene with sequences deposited in GenBank. RESULTS The seroprevalence of N. caninum infection was 25% (23/92) and PCR revealed that the molecular infection prevalence in semen was 11.95% (11/92). Kappa test showed an average agreement between seroprevalence and parasite prevalence in semen (κ = 0.44). The highest molecular prevalence was for rams that accomplished more than two mating seasons (21.0 ± 12.1%) compared to those performed less than two mating seasons and yearling individuals (4.0 ± 5.5%) (P = 0.01). There were no differences in N. caninum molecular prevalence according to either breed or locality. Comparison of the partial sequences of the ITS1 gene revealed 99-100% similarity with those deposited in GenBank. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detection and molecular identification of N. caninum in semen from rams in North Africa. Our findings indicate that N. caninum infection rate was high in rams.
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Ribeiro CM, Soares IR, Mendes RG, de Santis Bastos PA, Katagiri S, Zavilenski RB, de Abreu HFP, Afreixo V. Meta-analysis of the prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine neosporosis. Trop Anim Health Prod 2019; 51:1783-1800. [PMID: 31228088 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-019-01929-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is one of the main infectious agents that cause reproductive disorders in cattle. However, knowledge about the prevalence and causal factors of bovine neosporosis is needed in order to establish control measures. The purpose of this study was to estimate the pooled prevalence and determine the risk factors of bovine neosporosis using meta-analytic methods. Searches for data on N. caninum seroprevalence and potential risk factors were conducted in the PubMed, LILACS, and SciElo databases. The random effects model was used for the meta-analysis of the included studies. The pooled prevalence of N. caninum in cattle was 24% (95% confidence interval (CI), 19-29) in North and Central America, 24% (95% CI, 20-28) in South America, 18% (95% CI, 14-21) in Asia, 15% (95% CI, 12-18) in Europe, 13% (95% CI, 11-16) in Africa, and 8% (95% CI, 4-14) in Oceania. A significant correlation was found between N. caninum infection and abortion in cows (odds ratio (OR) = 2.66, 95% CI, 1.97-3.59). The following risk factors were signicantly associated with N. caninum seroprevalence: presence of dogs on the farm (OR = 2.84; 95% CI, 1.40-5.80) and the type of cattle production system, with dairy cattle being more susceptible to bovine neosporosis (OR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.16-2.19) than beef cattle. The adoption of measures to prevent the dissemination of N. caninum in cattle herds is suggested, aiming to reduce the economic losses incurred to the dairy and beef industry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Paula Andrea de Santis Bastos
- Centro Universitário das Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Satie Katagiri
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | | | | | - Vera Afreixo
- Department of Mathematics, Universidade de Aveiro, District of Aveiro, Portugal
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Syed-Hussain S, Howe L, Pomroy W, West D, Smith S, Williamson N. Detection of Neospora caninum DNA in semen of experimental infected rams with no evidence of horizontal transmission in ewes. Vet Parasitol 2013; 197:534-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2012] [Revised: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Natural breeding with bulls experimentally infected with Neospora caninum failed to induce seroconversion in dams. Theriogenology 2009; 71:639-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2008] [Revised: 09/02/2008] [Accepted: 09/11/2008] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Ferre I, Serrano-Martínez E, Martínez A, Osoro K, Mateos-Sanz A, del-Pozo I, Aduriz G, Tamargo C, Hidalgo C, Ortega-Mora L. Effects of re-infection with Neospora caninum in bulls on parasite detection in semen and blood and immunological responses. Theriogenology 2008; 69:905-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2007] [Revised: 09/26/2007] [Accepted: 11/09/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Serrano-Martínez E, Ferre I, Martínez A, Osoro K, Mateos-Sanz A, Del-Pozo I, Aduriz G, Tamargo C, Hidalgo CO, Ortega-Mora LM. Experimental neosporosis in bulls: Parasite detection in semen and blood and specific antibody and interferon-gamma responses. Theriogenology 2007; 67:1175-84. [PMID: 17316779 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2006] [Revised: 12/22/2006] [Accepted: 01/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the presence of Neospora caninum in semen and blood, and the development of specific antibody and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) responses in experimentally infected bulls. METHODS Eight bulls were intravenously infected with 10(8) live N. caninum tachyzoites of NC-1 isolate. The presence of N. caninum in semen and blood was assessed using a nested-PCR procedure. PCR-positive semen samples were bioassayed using a BALB/c nu/nu mouse model. Specific anti-N. caninum antibody and IFN-gamma responses were also examined. In parallel, eight seronegative bulls were studied as non-infected controls. All bulls were monitored for 26 weeks. RESULTS All eight experimentally infected bulls showed N. caninum DNA in their semen and/or blood samples at some time during the course of the study. Parasite load in semen ranged from 0.1 to 14.5 parasites/ml (mean 6.0). N. caninum could not be detected in BALB/c nu/nu mice inoculated with PCR-positive semen samples. A significant increase in mean serum specific IgM antibody response to N. caninum was detected between 10 and 28 days post-infection (p.i.). Serum specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 antibody levels in experimentally infected bulls were significantly different after 21, 10, and 14 days p.i. as compared to controls, respectively. Specific anti-N. caninum IgG were detected in seminal plasma from infected bulls and values obtained were different from controls after 25 days p.i. Mean specific IFN-gamma responses in experimentally infected bulls were significantly higher than controls 3 days p.i. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to report the presence of N. caninum DNA in the semen and blood of experimentally infected bulls. Our observations indicate an intermittent presence of N. caninum in low numbers in semen and associated with chronic stage of the infection. This study is also the first to report the detection of anti-N. caninum IgG in seminal plasma of experimentally infected bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Serrano-Martínez
- Grupo SALUVET, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Ciudad Universitaria s/n, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
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Dubey JP, Schares G, Ortega-Mora LM. Epidemiology and control of neosporosis and Neospora caninum. Clin Microbiol Rev 2007; 20:323-67. [PMID: 17428888 PMCID: PMC1865591 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00031-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 699] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite of animals. Until 1988, it was misidentified as Toxoplasma gondii. Since its first recognition in dogs in 1984 and the description of the new genus and species Neospora caninum in 1988, neosporosis has emerged as a serious disease of cattle and dogs worldwide. Abortions and neonatal mortality are a major problem in livestock operations, and neosporosis is a major cause of abortion in cattle. Although antibodies to N. caninum have been reported, the parasite has not been detected in human tissues. Thus, the zoonotic potential is uncertain. This review is focused mainly on the epidemiology and control of neosporosis in cattle, but worldwide seroprevalences of N. caninum in animals and humans are tabulated. The role of wildlife in the life cycle of N. caninum and strategies for the control of neosporosis in cattle are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
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Serrano-Martínez E, Ferre I, Osoro K, Aduriz G, Mota RA, Martínez A, Del-Pozo I, Hidalgo CO, Ortega-Mora LM. Intrauterine Neospora caninum inoculation of heifers and cows using contaminated semen with different numbers of tachyzoites. Theriogenology 2006; 67:729-37. [PMID: 17126895 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2006] [Revised: 10/13/2006] [Accepted: 10/19/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential of different Neospora caninum tachyzoite doses to infect heifers (experiment 1) and cows (experiment 2) when administered in utero by artificial insemination via contaminated semen. METHODS In experiment 1, five groups of 5, 7, 8, 9, and 5 cyclic heifers were hormonally synchronized and artificially inseminated with semen containing 0 (A, controls), 10(2) (B), 5 x 10(3) (C), 5 x 10(4) (D), and 5 x 10(5) (E) live N. caninum NC-1 isolate-tachyzoites, respectively. Experimental infection was followed for 100 days. Parasitaemia and specific serum IgG, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) responses were studied. In experiment 2, four groups of 9, 10, 9, and 9 adult multiparous cows with confirmed infertility problems of diverse aethiology were hormonally synchronized and artificially inseminated with semen containing 0 (a, controls), 10(2) (b), 5 x 10(3) (c), and 5 x 10(5) (d) live N. caninum NC-1 isolate-tachyzoites, respectively. Experimental infection was followed for 63 days. Parasitaemia and specific serum IgG responses were studied. RESULTS In experiment 1, parasitaemia was detected in 1, 2, and 3 heifers from groups B, C, and D, respectively, between 9 and 23 days after insemination. Persistent specific serum antibody responses were detected in 2 and 3 heifers from groups D and E, respectively. Transient specific serum antibody responses were detected in 2, 1 and 1 heifers from groups C, D, and E, respectively. In addition, 1 heifer from group B showed a serum-specific antibody level higher than cut off value at 21 days post-insemination. Heifers seroconverted between 23 and 47 days after insemination. Specific IFN-gamma levels were detected in 1, 4, 6, and 3 heifers from groups B, C, D, and E, respectively, between 9 and 55 days after insemination. Pregnancy rate in the control group (60%) was higher than those observed in inoculated heifers (0-42.9%). Pregnancy rates in inoculated heifers were lower when the tachyzoite dose was increased (B 42.9%, C 12.5%, D 11.1%, and E 0%). In experiment 2, no Neospora DNA in blood nor specific serum IgG to N. caninum were detected in any of the cows studied, except in one cow inoculated with 5 x 10(5) tachyzoites (group d) which showed a relative index x100 (RIPC) values of 9.4, 18.9, and 18.1 at 42, 56, and 63 days after insemination, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that the intrauterine infection via contaminated semen using 5 x 10(4) and 5 x 10(5) tachyzoites caused persistent serum-specific antibody responses in some heifers. On the basis of serological data, a dose-response effect was also observed. In addition, N. caninum would be a probable cause of early foetal death in inoculated heifers. In contrast, results obtained in a similar experiment with cows showing confirmed infertility indicate that higher doses, such as of 5 x 10(5) tachyzoites, were necessary to induce seroconversion in at least one animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Serrano-Martínez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
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14
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Abstract
This work gathers reports about Neospora-infections in South America. Neospora-infections have been reported from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. Evidence of exposure to N. caninum was mentioned in cattle, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, water buffaloes, alpacas, llamas, South American opossums, wolves and other wild canids. No antibodies were found in horses. Interesting epidemiological and pathological data were described. Two isolations were performed from dogs, one from cattle, and recently five from water buffaloes. Since the cattle industry is important in South America and reproductive losses caused by Neospora-infection have been identified, more investigations are needed in order to understand its epidemiology and control the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- D P Moore
- Fundación Antorchas, Chile 300 (C1098AAF), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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15
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Ortega-Mora LM, Ferre I, del-Pozo I, Caetano-da-Silva A, Collantes-Fernández E, Regidor-Cerrillo J, Ugarte-Garagalza C, Aduriz G. Detection of Neospora caninum in semen of bulls. Vet Parasitol 2003; 117:301-8. [PMID: 14637032 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2003.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In cattle, transplacental infection is the main route of Neospora caninum transmission, but postnatal transmission by the oral uptake of sporozoite-containing oocysts shed by dogs may also be possible. Other routes of horizontal transmission, such as the venereal route, have not been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the presence of N. caninum DNA by a nested-PCR in fresh non-extended semen and frozen extended semen straws of five Holstein-Friesian bulls with naturally-acquired neosporosis. The infection status was assessed by an immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and confirmed by immunoblotting (IB). Because of inhibitory components of semen, a protocol was developed to purify N. caninum DNA from bovine semen. Sporadically, N. caninum DNA was detected in non-extended fresh semen samples and frozen extended semen straws of the five seropositive bulls. In all positive samples, specific DNA was consistently found in the cell fraction of semen and not in seminal plasma. The parasite mean load in positive fresh semen samples determined by a real-time PCR was low oscillating between 1 and 2.8 parasites/ml of semen (maximum parasite load detected in one sample was 7.5 parasites/ml of semen). In parallel, another three similar but uninfected bulls acted as controls and no N. caninum DNA was amplified in any of their fresh and straw semen samples assayed. Whether venereal transmission plays a role in the spread of bovine neosporosis needs to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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