Association of antibodies against Neospora caninum in mares with reproductive problems and presence of seropositive dogs as a risk factor.
Abstract: Sera from 112 mares from 5 horse-breeding farms was examined for the presence of antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), as well as from dogs and cattle present on these properties for the presence of antibodies to N. caninum. Among the 112 mares, 35 had a history of reproductive problems in the last breeding season and 77 had no reproductive problems. The rates of seroprevalence of N. caninum in mares with and without a history of reproductive problems were 25.71% and 6.49% and from T. gondii 2.85% and 1.29%, respectively. In dogs and cattle, the rates of seroprevalence of N. caninum were 10.52% and 15.55%, respectively. A positive correlation was found between the presence of antibodies against N. caninum (p=0.010) in mares and the occurrence of reproductive problems using the Fisher's exact test. Significantly higher seroprevalence for N. caninum in mares was observed on the farm that had seropositive dogs (p=0.018). Cattle on this farm were also seropositive. No significant differences in seropositivity were found on farms where dogs were seronegative, or absent. This result suggests, for the first time, the presence of seropositive dogs as a risk factor for N. caninum in mares and the necessity for further investigation of the epidemiology of this parasite in horse-breeding farms with reproductive problems and the presence of cattle and dogs. This is the first report on the occurrence of antibodies against N. caninum in horses from the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2014-03-30 PubMed ID: 24731383DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.03.022Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study investigated the correlation between antibodies against a parasite, Neospora caninum, found in mares (female horses) and reproductive problems. It also identified the presence of these antibodies in dogs and cattle as risk factors.
Research Methodology
- The study involved a sample of 112 mares from 5 horse-breeding farms. Serum from these mares was tested for presence of antibodies against the parasites Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii using an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT).
- The research also included testing the serum of dogs and cattle on these farms for antibodies against N. caninum.
- Among the 112 mares, 35 had a history of reproductive problems in the previous breeding season, and 77 had not had any such problems.
Findings
- In mares with a history of reproductive issues, the rate of seroprevalence (presence of specific antibodies in the blood) of N. caninum was 25.71%, and in those without such issues, it was only 6.49%.
- For T. gondii, these rates were 2.85% and 1.29% respectively.
- In dogs and cattle, the seroprevalence rates of N. caninum were 10.52% and 15.55%, respectively.
Correlation and Risks
- Using Fisher’s exact test, the researchers found a positive correlation between the presence of antibodies against N. caninum in mares and the occurrence of reproductive problems.
- Higher seroprevalence for N. caninum in mares was significantly found on the farm that had seropositive dogs (dogs with antibodies against the parasite). This suggests the presence of seropositive dogs as a potential risk factor for N. caninum infection in mares.
- Cattle on the farm with seropositive dogs were also found with antibodies against N. caninum, suggesting a similar risk.
- No significant differences in seropositivity were found on farms where dogs were seronegative (no antibodies against the parasite), or not present.
Conclusion
- This study suggests the necessity of further investigation into the epidemiology of N. caninum, particularly in horse-breeding farms experiencing reproductive problems in their mares and also having cattle and dogs.
- This marks the first report on the occurrence of antibodies against N. caninum in horses from the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Cite This Article
APA
Abreu RA, Weiss RR, Thomaz-Soccol V, Locatelli-Dittrich R, Laskoski LM, Bertol MA, Koch MO, Alban SM, Green KT.
(2014).
Association of antibodies against Neospora caninum in mares with reproductive problems and presence of seropositive dogs as a risk factor.
Vet Parasitol, 202(3-4), 128-131.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.03.022 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H. dos Santos, 100, CEP 81531-990 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H. dos Santos, 100, CEP 81531-990 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Electronic address: rrweiss@bol.com.br.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H. dos Santos, 100, CEP 81531-990 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H. dos Santos, 100, CEP 81531-990 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H. dos Santos, 100, CEP 81531-990 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Bioprocessos e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H. dos Santos, 100, CEP 81531-990 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
- Médica veterinária autônoma, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Abortion, Veterinary / epidemiology
- Abortion, Veterinary / etiology
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
- Brazil / epidemiology
- Cattle
- Coccidiosis / complications
- Coccidiosis / epidemiology
- Coccidiosis / veterinary
- Dogs
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Neospora
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications / epidemiology
- Pregnancy Complications / etiology
- Pregnancy Complications / veterinary
- Risk Factors
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Costa PWL, Oliveira CSM, Bezerra RA, Alvares FBV, Formiga VHAS, Martins MRDD, Feitosa TF, Vilela VLR. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii and Anti-Neospora caninum Antibodies in Urban Traction Equids in Northeast Brazil: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors.. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023 Apr 20;8(4).
- Perrucci S, Guardone L, Altomonte I, Salari F, Nardoni S, Martini M, Mancianti F. Apicomplexan Protozoa Responsible for Reproductive Disorders: Occurrence of DNA in Blood and Milk of Donkeys (Equus asinus) and Minireview of the Related Literature.. Pathogens 2021 Jan 22;10(2).
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