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Llano HAB, Soares RM, Acevedo-Gutierrez LY, Rodas JD, Polo G, Borges-Silva W, Jesus RF, Gondim LFP. Seroepidemiology of Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora spp. in horses, donkeys, and mules from Colombia. Acta Trop 2021; 220:105970. [PMID: 34033805 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.105970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora spp. are related protozoa that can cause equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). The present study aimed to determine the frequency of antibodies to these parasites in 649 equids (351 horses, 267 donkeys, and 31 mules) from six departments in the North and Northwest of Colombia. For this purpose, the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used for detecting antibodies against S. neurona and Neospora spp. with a cut-off point of 1:20 and 1:50, respectively. A binomial logistic regression model was selected to predict variables associated with exposure. The frequency of anti-S. neurona antibodies was 14.24% (95% CI: 10.84-18.44) for horses, 2.99% (95% CI: 1.39-6.04) for donkeys, and 16.13% (95% CI: 6.09-34.47) for mules. The risk for S. neurona infection was significantly lower in donkeys (OR: 0.18 [0.08-0.38]; p<0.001) than horses and mules, and higher in animals with a poor body condition (OR: 2.82 [1.45-6.05]; p<0.05). Additionally, older animals (>12y) had a higher risk of seropositivity (OR: 5.26 [1.88-19.1]; p<0.05), as well as animals that inhabit climatic conditions associated with tropical very dry forest (OR: 1.85 [1.01-3.51]; p<0.05). Córdoba and Antioquia departments presented the highest seropositivity to S. neurona with 13.01 and 8.3%, respectively. The frequency of anti-Neospora spp. antibodies was 1.42% (95% CI: 0.52-3.48) for horses, 1.12% (95% CI:0.29-3.52) for donkeys and 0% (95%, CI: 0-0) for mules. Atlántico was the state with the highest seropositivity to Neospora spp. (10%). No risks associated with Neospora spp. infection were found. These findings allow us to conclude that equids from these regions of Colombia are exposed to S. neurona, but antibodies to Neospora spp. are uncommon. Further studies are necessary to explore the presence of these two agents in other areas of the country. In addition, we need to prove the importance of the above-mentioned risk factors over the susceptibility of horses to these protozoal agents and the epidemiological impact of these underdiagnosed coccidia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Horwald A B Llano
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo -USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Grupo de Investigación GINVER, Corporación Universitaria Remington, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Medellín, Colombia.
| | - Rodrigo Martins Soares
- Departamento de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo -USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Leidy Y Acevedo-Gutierrez
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan David Rodas
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias Centauro, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Gina Polo
- Grupo de Investigación en Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Universidad de La Salle, D.C., Colombia
| | - Waléria Borges-Silva
- Departamento de Anatomia, Patologia e Clínicas, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia-UFBA, Salvador-BA, Brazil
| | - Rogério F Jesus
- Departamento de Anatomia, Patologia e Clínicas, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia-UFBA, Salvador-BA, Brazil
| | - Luís F P Gondim
- Departamento de Anatomia, Patologia e Clínicas, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia-UFBA, Salvador-BA, Brazil
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