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The Journal of parasitology2011; 97(3); 522-524; doi: 10.1645/GE-2722.1

Detection of antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora spp., and Toxoplasma gondii in horses from Costa Rica.

Abstract: Serum samples from 315 horses from Costa Rica, Central America, were examined for the presence of antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora spp., and Toxoplasma gondii by using the surface antigen (SAG) SnSAG2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the NhSAG1 ELISA, and the modified agglutination test, respectively. Anti- S. neurona antibodies were found in 42.2% of the horses by using the SnSAG2 ELISA. Anti- Neospora spp. antibodies were found in only 3.5% of the horses by using the NhSAG1 ELISA, and only 1 of these horses was confirmed seropositive by Western blot. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 34.0% of the horses tested, which is higher than in previous reports from North and South America. The finding of anti- S. neurona antibodies in horses from geographical areas where Didelphis marsupialis has wide distribution suggests that D. marsupialis is a potential definitive host for this parasite and a source of infection for these horses.
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Publication Date: 2011-02-10 PubMed ID: 21506839DOI: 10.1645/GE-2722.1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research presents findings from the study conducted to identify the presence of antibodies against parasites (Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora spp., and Toxoplasma gondii) in horses from Costa Rica. The study reveals a significant percentage of horses exhibited antibodies for these parasites, suggesting potential infection.

Research Methods

  • The researchers collected serum samples from 315 horses in Costa Rica. The serum is the component of the blood that helps diagnose diseases through the presence or absence of specific antibodies.
  • These samples were then examined for the presence of antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora spp., and Toxoplasma gondii.
  • The method used for testing was the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), known for its sensitivity in identifying the presence of specific antigens or antibodies.
  • Different versions of the ELISA were used: SnSAG2 ELISA for S. neurona, NhSAG1 ELISA for Neospora spp., and the modified agglutination test for T. gondii.

Results and Findings

  • The study found that 42.2% of the horses tested positive for antibodies against S. neurona.
  • Only a small fraction, around 3.5%, displayed Neospora spp. antibodies, confirmed by NhSAG1 ELISA, and only one of these was additionally confirmed by Western blot, a method that provides greater specificity.
  • For T. gondii, about 34.0% of the horses tested positive, a figure that is higher than previous reports from North and South America.

Implications of the Findings

  • The findings suggest that the studied horses may be infected by these parasites as the presence of antibodies typically indicates either current or past infection.
  • Since the study demonstrated a considerable proportion of horses carrying antibodies for S. neurona, this implies the potential role of D. marsupialis, a local opossum species, in the spread of this parasite. This is because D. marsupialis has a wide distribution in the area where the horse samples were taken, and is known to be a potential definitive host for the parasite.

Cite This Article

APA
Dangoudoubiyam S, Oliveira JB, Víquez C, Gómez-García A, González O, Romero JJ, Kwok OC, Dubey JP, Howe DK. (2011). Detection of antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora spp., and Toxoplasma gondii in horses from Costa Rica. J Parasitol, 97(3), 522-524. https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-2722.1

Publication

The Journal of parasitology
ISSN: 1937-2345
NlmUniqueID: 7803124
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 97
Issue: 3
Pages: 522-524

Researcher Affiliations

Dangoudoubiyam, S
  • Department of Veterinary Science, Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0099, USA.
Oliveira, J B
    Víquez, C
      Gómez-García, A
        González, O
          Romero, J J
            Kwok, O C H
              Dubey, J P
                Howe, D K

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Agglutination Tests / veterinary
                  • Animals
                  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
                  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology
                  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
                  • Blotting, Western / veterinary
                  • Coccidiosis / epidemiology
                  • Coccidiosis / veterinary
                  • Costa Rica / epidemiology
                  • Didelphis
                  • Disease Vectors
                  • Encephalomyelitis / parasitology
                  • Encephalomyelitis / veterinary
                  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
                  • Female
                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
                  • Horses
                  • Male
                  • Neospora / immunology
                  • Sarcocystis / immunology
                  • Sarcocystosis / epidemiology
                  • Sarcocystosis / veterinary
                  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
                  • Toxoplasma / immunology
                  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology

                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 13 times.
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