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Johns O, Pearl DL, Foster RA, Barta J, Chenier T. The seroprevalence and risk factors for exposure to Neospora caninum and Neospora hughesi in Ontario broodmares. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 50:101002. [PMID: 38644034 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101002] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The seroprevalence and risk factors for exposure to Neospora caninum and Neospora hughesi in broodmares in Ontario were investigated. Sixty of the 219 (27.4%) study broodmares were seropositive for N. caninum and 65/219 (29.7%) for N. hughesi with cut-offs of ≥1:40 and ≥1:160, respectively. Thirty-one of 63 participating farms (49.2%) had at least 1 broodmare seropositive for N. caninum. Thirty-three of the 63 (52.4%) participating farms had at least 1 broodmare positive for N. hughesi. Risk factors for N. caninum included presence of farm dogs (OR = 6.70; 95% CI = 2.14-20.97; p = 0.001), and high stocking density (OR = 2.83; 95% CI = 1.27-6.30; p = 0.011). Presence of livestock, excluding cattle, was associated with reduced risk of exposure (OR = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.06-0.53; p = 0.002). The only risk factor for exposure to N. hughesi was feeding hay on the ground in the paddock (OR = 4.31; 95% CI = 1.65-11.22; p = 0.003). This study demonstrated widespread exposure to Neospora spp. in broodmares in Ontario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Johns
- University of Guelph, Department of Population Medicine, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - David L Pearl
- University of Guelph, Department of Population Medicine, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Robert A Foster
- University of Guelph, Department of Pathobiology, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - John Barta
- University of Guelph, Department of Pathobiology, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Tracey Chenier
- University of Guelph, Department of Population Medicine, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
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Nazir MM, Ayaz MM, Ahmed AN, Rasheed I, Faraz A, Akram Q, Akhtar S, Maqbool A, Tabassum S, Zheng Y, Lindsay DS. Prevalence and risk factors for IgG antibodies to Neospora spp. in three types of equids from Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Acta Trop 2018; 188:240-3. [PMID: 30219554 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Equine hosts suffer from neurological disease, congenital infection, and reproductive problems associated with Neospora spp. infection. We conducted a cross sectional study using sera from 631 equids (324 horses, 218 donkeys and 89 mules) from the southern region of Punjab province, Pakistan to determine the prevalence of antibodies against Neospora spp. in this diverse group of equines. Fisk factors associated with seropositivity were evaluated statistically based on equine type, breed, age, husbandry, breeding methods, and reproductive history. Prevalence of antibodies to Neospora spp. was detected using a commercially available competitive ELISA kit. We detected IgG antibodies to Neospora spp. in 23.3% of the equids with prevalence by host being 16.0% in horses, 32.6% in donkeys and 26.9% in 89 mules. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences in prevalence were observed among these hosts. Prevalence ranged in breeds of horses from 3.7% in the Morna breed, 12.4% in breeding stock, 26.8% in draughting stock, to 31.4% in unknown breeds. No significant (P > 0.05) difference in prevalence was noted among age groups. Prevalence was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in female equines with a history of abortion than those with no history of abortion. This is the first report documenting Neospora spp. in equines from Pakistan and it provides evidence that Neospora spp. is associated with abortions in female equines in Pakistan.
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Schale S, Howe D, Yeargan M, Morrow JK, Graves A, Johnson AL. Protozoal coinfection in horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in the eastern United States. J Vet Intern Med 2018; 32:1210-1214. [PMID: 29633348 PMCID: PMC5980325 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Infection by 2 or more protozoa is linked with increased severity of disease in marine mammals with protozoan encephalitis. Hypothesis/Objectives To assess whether horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona also have evidence of infection with Neospora hughesi or Toxoplasma gondii. We hypothesized that horses with EPM would be more likely than horses with cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM) to be positive for antibodies to multiple protozoan parasites. Animals One hundred one horses with neurologic disease: 49 with EPM and 52 with CVSM. Methods Case review. Archived serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 101 horses were examined. Inclusion criteria included neurologic disease, antemortem or postmortem diagnosis of EPM or CVSM, and availability of serological results or archived samples for testing. Additional testing for antibodies was performed on serum for T. gondii, as well as serum and CSF for N. hughesi. Results Horses with EPM were more likely than horses with CVSM to have positive immunologic results for S. neurona on serum (95.9% versus 76.9%, P = .0058), CSF (98.0% versus 44.2%, P < .00001), and serum : CSF titer ratio (91.8% versus 0%, P < .00001). Positive results for Neospora and Toxoplasma were uncommon, with total seroprevalence rates of 12.9% and 14.9%, respectively. The proportions of EPM cases testing positive for Neospora and Toxoplasma (16% and 12%) were not different from the proportions of CVSM cases testing positive (10% and 17%, P = .31 and .47, respectively). Conclusion Results do not indicate an important role for protozoal coinfection in EPM in the eastern United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Schale
- Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Daniel Howe
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Michelle Yeargan
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | | | - Amy Graves
- Equine Diagnostic Solutions, LLC, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Amy L Johnson
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
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Abstract
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is an infectious disease of the central nervous system caused by Sarcocystis neurona or Neospora hughesi. Affected horses routinely present with progressive and asymmetrical neurologic deficits. The diagnosis relies on the presence of neurologic signs, ruling out other neurologic disorders, and the detection of intrathecally derived antibodies to either S neurona and/or N hughesi. Recommended treatment is use of an FDA-approved anticoccidial drug formulation. Medical and supportive treatment is provided based on the severity of neurologic deficits and complications. This article focuses on recent data related to diagnosis, pharmacologic treatment, and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Thomas Tobin
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Research, The Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
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Reed SM, Furr M, Howe DK, Johnson AL, MacKay RJ, Morrow JK, Pusterla N, Witonsky S. Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis: An Updated Consensus Statement with a Focus on Parasite Biology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. J Vet Intern Med 2016; 30:491-502. [PMID: 26857902 PMCID: PMC4913613 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.13834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Revised: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) remains an important neurologic disease of horses. There are no pathognomonic clinical signs for the disease. Affected horses can have focal or multifocal central nervous system (CNS) disease. EPM can be difficult to diagnose antemortem. It is caused by either of 2 parasites, Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi, with much less known about N. hughesi. Although risk factors such as transport stress and breed and age correlations have been identified, biologic factors such as genetic predispositions of individual animals, and parasite‐specific factors such as strain differences in virulence, remain largely undetermined. This consensus statement update presents current published knowledge of the parasite biology, host immune response, disease pathogenesis, epidemiology, and risk factors. Importantly, the statement provides recommendations for EPM diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Reed
- Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, 2150 Georgetown Road, Lexington, Kentucky, 40511.,Department of Veterinary Science, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - M Furr
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
| | - D K Howe
- Department of Veterinary Science, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
| | - A L Johnson
- New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA
| | - R J MacKay
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
| | - J K Morrow
- Equine Diagnostic Solutions LLC, Lexington, KY
| | - N Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA
| | - S Witonsky
- Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA
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Pusterla N, Mackie S, Packham A, Conrad PA. Serological investigation of transplacental infection with Neospora hughesi and Sarcocystis neurona in broodmares. Vet J 2014; 202:649-50. [PMID: 25438732 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the likelihood of transplacental transmission of Neospora hughesi and Sarcocystis neurona in foals, born from seropositive mares. Three broodmares with persistent N. hughesi infection gave birth to eight healthy foals over a period of 7 years. These foals were seropositive to N. hughesi prior to colostrum ingestion, with titers ranging between 640 and 20,480, measured by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Of 174 foals born at another farm to mares with a high seroprevalence to S. neurona, only one (with a pre-colostrum antibody titer of 80) tested seropositive. Transplacental transmission of N. hughesi seems to occur from latently infected mares to their foals, while this route of transmission does not seem to occur commonly for S. neurona.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Sarah Mackie
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Andrea Packham
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Patricia A Conrad
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Pusterla N, Tamez-Trevino E, White A, Vangeem J, Packham A, Conrad PA, Kass P. Comparison of prevalence factors in horses with and without seropositivity to Neospora hughesi and/or Sarcocystis neurona. Vet J 2014; 200:332-4. [PMID: 24703324 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2012] [Revised: 02/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is a commonly diagnosed neurological disease of horses in North America and is caused by infection with Sarcocystis neurona or Neospora hughesi. The aim of this study was to compare prevalence factors among horses seropositive or seronegative to N. hughesi and/or S. neurona. A total of 3123 submissions were included in the study, with horses originating from 49 States. Thirty-eight animals from 21 States tested seropositive for N. hughesi only, 840 horses from 40 States were seropositive for S. neurona only, 25 horses from 14 States were seropositive for both protozoa, and 2220 horses from 49 States tested seronegative for both parasites. Significant associations were found between geographical location (State), month of submission, breed and serological status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Eva Tamez-Trevino
- The William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Alexandria White
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Joshua Vangeem
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Andrea Packham
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Patricia A Conrad
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Philip Kass
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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