Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum-specific antibodies in German breeding bitches

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in pet cats, dogs and rabbits from urban areas of Poland

BACKGROUND

Neospora caninum (N. caninum) has a broad intermediate host range and might cause multisystemic lesions in various species of animals. Dogs are both intermediate and definitive hosts of the parasite and play a crucial role in the horizontal transmission of this protozoan to other animals. Cats and rabbits could be sensitive to infection with N. caninum, however, clinical symptoms and the exact route of infection in these species are unknown. The epidemiology of N. caninum in cats and rabbits has been barely researched, and there is no published record of the seroprevalence of N. caninum infection in these species in Poland. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the frequency of seroreagents for N. caninum within pet dogs, cats and rabbits from urban areas of Poland and to identify possible risk factors for these animals.

RESULTS

In total, serum samples from 184 cats (Felis catus), 203 dogs (Canis familiaris) and 70 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were used in the study. The seroprevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies in dogs and cats reached 1.0% (2/203; 95% CI: 0.3-3.5) and 3.3% (6/184; 95% CI: 1.5-6.9), respectively. No significant differences in seroprevalence regarding age group, gender, symptoms or sampling location were found. All 70 samples from pet rabbits were negative for anti-N. caninum antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

The seroprevalence rates of N. caninum in dogs and cats in the present study were low, however, our results confirmed N. caninum circulates among dog and cat populations in Poland, and neosporosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of neuro-muscular disorders in these species. This is the first serological survey of N. caninum in European pet cats and rabbits. The role of pet rabbits in N. caninum epidemiology and circulation in Poland is marginal.

Parasitological and molecular investigation of consequences of raw meat feeding (BARF) in dogs and cats: implications for other pets living nearby

Considering the original nature of carnivorism among dogs and cats, nowadays these pets are increasingly fed BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food/Bone And Raw Food) diet to improve their health conditions. However, this diet may also carry health risks, such as vitamin or mineral deficiencies, and infection with pathogens including parasites. In our study, fecal samples of 89 pet animals kept on BARF diet were subjected to coprological examination followed by molecular analyses. Six of them shed eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. This result was confirmed with PCR and sequencing, and in one case, the DNA of Fasciola hepatica was also demonstrated. In addition, oocysts of Cystoisospora canis, a Cystoisospora ohioensis-like sp. and Eimeria stiedai, as well as sporocysts of a Sarcocystis sp. were also detected. All samples were negative for Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. In conclusion, no evidence was found for the infection of BARF-fed dogs and cats with parasites that are usually associated with this diet and considered as clinico-pathological risk factors for these pets themselves (e.g., N. caninum, T. gondii). However, fluke eggs (probably originating from ruminants) and oocysts of E. stiedai (from rabbit liver in the food) were demonstrated as pseudoparasites. These species are usually not considered among parasite-associated risks of BARF-feeding, implying that other animals living near BARF-fed pets are neglected in this context. However, where intermediate hosts of D. dendriticum occur in urban areas, BARF-feeding may indirectly affect later other dogs and cats. It was also shown here that BARF-feeding may contribute to the contamination of the environment with E. stiedai oocysts, thus increasing the risks of biliary coccidiosis in nearby living pet rabbits that would otherwise not have access to oocysts of E. stiedai.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum Antibodies in Dogs and Cats from Egypt and Risk Factor Analysis

BACKGROUND

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are major protozoan parasites of worldwide distribution and significance in veterinary medicine and, for T. gondii, in public health. Cats and dogs, as final hosts for T. gondii and N. caninum, respectively, have a key function in environmental contamination with oocysts and, thus, in parasite transmission. Very little is known about the prevalence of T. gondii infections in dogs and cats in Egypt, and even less about the prevalence of N. caninum in the same hosts.

METHODS

In the current study, 223 serum samples of both dogs (n = 172) and cats (n = 51) were investigated for specific antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum using commercially available ELISAs. A risk factor analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with seropositivity.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

Exposure to T. gondii was reported in 23.3% of the dogs and in 9.8% of the cats, respectively. In addition, N. caninum-specific antibodies were recorded in 5.8% of dogs and in 3.4% of cats. A mixed infection was found in two dogs (1.2%) and in one cat (2%). Antibodies to T. gondii in dogs were significantly more frequent in dogs aged 3 years or more and in male German Shepherds. As this breed is often used as watchdogs and was the most sampled breed in Alexandria governorate, the purpose "watchdog" (compared to "stray" or "companion"), the male sex, and the governorate "Alexandria" also had a significantly higher seroprevalence for T. gondii. No factors associated with antibodies to N. caninum could be identified in dogs, and no significant factors were determined in cats for either T. gondii or N. caninum infection. Our study substantially adds to the knowledge of T. gondii infection in dogs and cats and presents data on N. caninum infection in cats for the first and in dogs in Egypt for the second time.

Raw meat based diet (RMBD) for household pets as potential door opener to parasitic load of domestic and urban environment. Revival of understated zoonotic hazards? A review

RMBD (acronym of Raw Meat Based Diet) and BARF diets (acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food) account dietary regimens based on raw ingredients (including raw meat), popular in pet feeding. Animal tissues and organs as well as other uncooked ingredients are more and more popularly used by pet owners to feed household pets. However, the increased risk of exposure to microbiological and parasitic agents poses the question as to whether such diets may be recommendable to be handled and offered to domestic cats and dogs co-living in domestic and urban environment. Above all, the threat of human and animal infections by parasites from raw meat fed to pets is not sufficiently explored and tracked, meanwhile deserving particular surveillance, instead. At this regard, raw meat feeding to pets may represent a route of exposure to the increased risk of environmental load. In fact, some parasites typically found in rural environment can be given the chance to complete their life-cycle, for the closeness between definitive and intermediate hosts. This is of particular concern, as potentially infected pets serving as definitive hosts can become a continuous source of environmental diffusion of parasites, both at domestic and urban level. The handling of raw meat requires adequate knowledge and awareness of the hygienic principles to prevent the onset of disorders related to both manipulation by pet owners and uncooked food consumption by the pet. This review aimed to shed a comprehensive overview of the hygienic aspects related to raw pet feeding, as to handling of raw meat in domestic environment, with special emphasis on parasitic agents and related zoonotic hazards.

Reproductive injury in male BALB/c mice infected with Neospora caninum

Background

Neospora caninum is one of the main causes of abortion in pregnant animals. However, N. caninum-induced reproductive injury in male mice is still unclear.

Methods

Male BALB/c mice were infected with a bovine isolate of N. caninum, and the organ coefficients of the testis and epididymis were measured. Lesions in the testis and epididymis were observed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Expression of the spermatogenic cell apoptosis-related proteins p53 and caspase-3 was detected by western blot. The expression of spermatogenesis-related genes in the testis was detected by reverse transcription-PCR. Sperm morphology and motility were observed. The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and antisperm antibody (AsAb) in the testicular homogenates and hormones in the serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The reproductive capacity of the male mice was detected using a reproduction test.

Results

The organ coefficients of the testis and epididymis of the experimental group were significantly downregulated. Light microscopy examination revealed that the spermatogenic cells of the testis were arranged in a disordered manner, and the number was reduced. The number of sperm in the epididymal lumen was significantly reduced, and the cytoplasm exhibited vacuolation and degeneration. Ultrastructural studies revealed that the cells of the testis and epididymis tissues showed varying degrees of disease. The level of p53 and caspase-3 expression in the testis was significantly upregulated. The expression of the testicular spermatogenesis-related genes Herc4, Ipo11 and Mrto4 were strongly downregulated. Observation of sperm by microscopic examination revealed significantly reduced sperm density and sperm motility, and the number of sperm deformities was significantly increased. The level of NO and AsAb was significantly increased. The levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone were significantly upregulated, whereas the levels of testosterone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone were significantly downregulated. After challenge, the infected male mice and healthy female mice were caged together: the subsequent fetal death rate was increased, and the conception rate, litter size, number of live births and the birth weight were significantly reduced.

Conclusions

Infection of male BALB/c mice with the bovine isolate of N. caninum induced varying degrees of injury to the testis, epididymis and sperm of the mice, destroyed spermatogenesis and affected the reproductive capacity.

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum Infection in Dog Population Worldwide: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan protozoan that causes neurological disorders in dogs. This systematic review and meta-analysis targeted at evaluating the worldwide seroprevalence rate of N. caninum in dogs.

METHODS

Five electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, until December 2018 were thoroughly searched for relevant English language articles. Papers were selected based on inclusion criteria. Data were analyzed in StatsDirect statistical software (version 2.7.9).

RESULTS

The searching process yielded a total number of 156 papers. The total prevalence (95% confidence intervals) of N. caninum infection in dog population worldwide was measured as 17.14% in data analyses (15.25-19.10). In addition, a significant association was also detected between neosporosis infection in dogs and continent, country, year, WHO regions, sample size and diagnostic method (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Dogs are a matter of concern to public health officials as a source of N. caninum infection. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to provide comprehensive data and systematically analyze the prevalence of N. caninum infection in dogs. Accordingly, it is recommended that researchers carry out further studies to prevent and control neosporosis among dog population worldwide.