FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Pathogens / Detection of Neospora caninum Infection in Aborted Equine Fe...
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2020; 9(11); 962; doi: 10.3390/pathogens9110962

Detection of Neospora caninum Infection in Aborted Equine Fetuses in Israel.

Abstract: In horses, and have been associated with fetal loss, and neurological disease, respectively. This study investigated the role of spp. infection in equine abortion in Israel. The presence of anti- spp. antibodies was evaluated in 31 aborting mares by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and the presence of parasite DNA in their aborted fetuses was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using two target loci (ITS1 and Nc5). The seroprevalence found in aborting mares was 70.9% and the prevalence by DNA detection in the aborted fetuses was 41.9%. Transplacental transmission from positive mares to their fetuses was 45.4% (10/22), while 33.3% (3/9) of fetuses of seronegative mares also tested positive for . The use of two PCR targets improved the sensitivity of parasite detection, and positive samples were identified by sequence analyses as . These finding suggest that could be a significant cause of abortion in horses, and that transplacental transmission in horses is an important way of transmission of . The results presented here demonstrated the necessity to use several tests concurrently, including serological and molecular assays in order to confirm the involvement of in mare abortions.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-11-19 PubMed ID: 33228059PubMed Central: PMC7699351DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110962Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 paper dives into the investigation of Neospora caninum infection, a known factor causing fetal loss and neurological diseases, in horses undergoing abortion in Israel. The approach involves assessing the presence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in mares as well as detecting parasite DNA in aborted fetuses.

Study Method

  • The study focused on understanding the role of Neospora caninum infection in equine abortion cases in Israel.
  • The presence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies was evaluated in 31 mares undergoing abortion through the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT).
  • Furthermore, the existence of parasite DNA in the aborted fetuses was assessed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two target points (ITS1 and Nc5).

Results and Findings

  • A significant proportion (70.9%) of the aborting mares were found to have developed antibodies against Neospora caninum, suggesting they had been infected with the parasite.
  • Analysis of the aborted fetuses showed 41.9% positive for parasite DNA.
  • The transmission of Neospora caninum from the infected mares to their fetuses was found to be accounting for 45.4% (10/22) of the examined cases, indicating the importance of transplacental transmission.
  • Interestingly, 33.3% (3/9) of fetuses from mares without detectable antibodies (seronegative mares) also tested positive for Neospora caninum.
  • Usage of two PCR target areas significantly improved the sensitivity of the parasite detection process.

Implication

  • The results suggest Neospora caninum could be a significant cause of abortion in horses.
  • The high rate of transplacental transmission underscores its importance in the spread of Neospora caninum among equine populations.
  • The dressage emphasizes the importance of implementing several tests concurrently, including serological and molecular assays, to confirm Neospora caninum’s involvement in horse abortions.

Cite This Article

APA
Leszkowicz Mazuz M, Mimoun L, Schvartz G, Tirosh-Levy S, Savitzki I, Edery N, Blum SE, Baneth G, Pusterla N, Steinman A. (2020). Detection of Neospora caninum Infection in Aborted Equine Fetuses in Israel. Pathogens, 9(11), 962. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9110962

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 11
PII: 962

Researcher Affiliations

Leszkowicz Mazuz, Monica
  • Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50200, Israel.
Mimoun, Lea
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Schvartz, Gili
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Tirosh-Levy, Sharon
  • Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50200, Israel.
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Savitzki, Igor
  • Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50200, Israel.
Edery, Nir
  • Division of Pathology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50200, Israel.
Blum, Shlomo E
  • Division of Bacteriology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50200, Israel.
Baneth, Gad
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Pusterla, Nicola
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Steinman, Amir
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

This article includes 25 references
  1. Dubey JP, Schares G. Neosporosis in animals--the last five years.. Vet Parasitol 2011 Aug 4;180(1-2):90-108.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.05.031pubmed: 21704458google scholar: lookup
  2. Reichel MP, Alejandra Ayanegui-Alcérreca M, Gondim LF, Ellis JT. What is the global economic impact of Neospora caninum in cattle - the billion dollar question.. Int J Parasitol 2013 Feb;43(2):133-42.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.10.022pubmed: 23246675google scholar: lookup
  3. Mazuz ML, Fish L, Reznikov D, Wolkomirsky R, Leibovitz B, Savitzky I, Golenser J, Shkap V. Neosporosis in naturally infected pregnant dairy cattle.. Vet Parasitol 2014 Sep 15;205(1-2):85-91.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.06.009pubmed: 24986462google scholar: lookup
  4. Paré J, Thurmond MC, Hietala SK. Congenital Neospora caninum infection in dairy cattle and associated calfhood mortality.. Can J Vet Res 1996 Apr;60(2):133-9.
    pmc: PMC1263819pubmed: 8785719
  5. Schares G, Peters M, Wurm R, Bärwald A, Conraths FJ. The efficiency of vertical transmission of Neospora caninum in dairy cattle analysed by serological techniques.. Vet Parasitol 1998 Dec 31;80(2):87-98.
    doi: 10.1016/S0304-4017(98)00195-2pubmed: 9870361google scholar: lookup
  6. Marsh AE, Barr BC, Packham AE, Conrad PA. Description of a new Neospora species (Protozoa: Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae).. J Parasitol 1998 Oct;84(5):983-91.
    doi: 10.2307/3284632pubmed: 9794642google scholar: lookup
  7. Gray ML, Harmon BG, Sales L, Dubey JP. Visceral neosporosis in a 10-year-old horse.. J Vet Diagn Invest 1996 Jan;8(1):130-3.
    doi: 10.1177/104063879600800125pubmed: 9026072google scholar: lookup
  8. Dubey JP, Hemphill A, Calero-Bernal R, Schares G. Neosporosis in Animals. CRC Press; Boca Raton, FL, USA: 2017.
  9. Antonello AM, Pivoto FL, Camillo G, Braunig P, Sangioni LA, Pompermayer E, Vogel FS. The importance of vertical transmission of Neospora sp. in naturally infected horses.. Vet Parasitol 2012 Jul 6;187(3-4):367-70.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.02.005pubmed: 22436425google scholar: lookup
  10. Villalobos EM, Ueno TE, de Souza SL, Cunha EM, do Carmo Custódio de Souza Hunold Lara M, Gennari SM, Soares RM. Association between the presence of serum antibodies against Neospora spp. and fetal loss in equines.. Vet Parasitol 2006 Dec 20;142(3-4):372-5.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2006.07.016pubmed: 16962708google scholar: lookup
  11. Kligler EB, Shkap V, Baneth G, Mildenberg Z, Steinman A. Seroprevalence of Neospora spp. among asymptomatic horses, aborted mares and horses demonstrating neurological signs in Israel.. Vet Parasitol 2007 Sep 1;148(2):109-13.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.06.002pubmed: 17614202google scholar: lookup
  12. Pusterla N, Conrad PA, Packham AE, Mapes SM, Finno CJ, Gardner IA, Barr BC, Ferraro GL, Wilson WD. Endogenous transplacental transmission of Neospora hughesi in naturally infected horses.. J Parasitol 2011 Apr;97(2):281-5.
    doi: 10.1645/GE-2657.1pubmed: 21506870google scholar: lookup
  13. Pitel PH, Romand S, Pronost S, Foucher N, Gargala G, Maillard K, Thulliez P, Collobert-Laugier C, Tainturier D, Fortier G, Ballet JJ. Investigation of Neospora sp. antibodies in aborted mares from Normandy, France.. Vet Parasitol 2003 Dec 1;118(1-2):1-6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2003.10.007pubmed: 14651869google scholar: lookup
  14. Kormann DC, Locatelli-Dittrich R, Richartz RR, Antunes J, Dittrich JR, Patrício LF. [Seroprevalence and month dynamic of Neospora sp. antibodies in pregnant mares].. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2008 Sep;17 Suppl 1:335-8.
    pubmed: 20059873
  15. Veronesi F, Diaferia M, Mandara MT, Marenzoni ML, Cittadini F, Piergili Fioretti D. Neospora spp. infection associated with equine abortion and/or stillbirth rate.. Vet Res Commun 2008 Sep;32 Suppl 1:S223-6.
    doi: 10.1007/s11259-008-9155-6pubmed: 18696243google scholar: lookup
  16. Locatelli-Dittrich R, Dittrich JR, Richartz RR, Gasino Joineau ME, Antunes J, Pinckney RD, Deconto I, Hoffmann DC, Thomaz-Soccol V. Investigation of Neospora sp. and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in mares and in precolostral foals from Parana State, Southern Brazil.. Vet Parasitol 2006 Feb 18;135(3-4):215-21.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.10.010pubmed: 16289863google scholar: lookup
  17. Pivoto FL, de Macêdo AG Jr, da Silva MV, Ferreira FB, Silva DA, Pompermayer E, Sangioni LA, Mineo TW, Vogel FS. Serological status of mares in parturition and the levels of antibodies (IgG) against protozoan family Sarcocystidae from their pre colostral foals.. Vet Parasitol 2014 Jan 17;199(1-2):107-11.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.10.001pubmed: 24183649google scholar: lookup
  18. Kormann DC, Locatelli-Dittrich R, Richartz RR, Antunes J, Dittrich JR, Patrício LF. [Seroprevalence and month dynamic of Neospora sp. antibodies in pregnant mares].. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet 2008 Sep;17 Suppl 1:335-8.
    pubmed: 20059873
  19. Dubey JP, Carpenter JL, Speer CA, Topper MJ, Uggla A. Newly recognized fatal protozoan disease of dogs.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1988 May 1;192(9):1269-85.
    pubmed: 3391851
  20. Dubey JP, Porterfield ML. Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa) in an aborted equine fetus.. J Parasitol 1990 Oct;76(5):732-4.
    doi: 10.2307/3282991pubmed: 2213418google scholar: lookup
  21. Packham AE, Conrad PA, Wilson WD, Jeanes LV, Sverlow KW, Gardner IA, Daft BM, Marsh AE, Blagburn BL, Ferraro GL, Barr BC. Qualitative evaluation of selective tests for detection of Neospora hughesi antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of experimentally infected horses.. J Parasitol 2002 Dec;88(6):1239-46.
    doi: 10.1645/0022-3395(2002)088[1239:QEOSTF]2.0.CO;2pubmed: 12537119google scholar: lookup
  22. Fish L, Mazuz M, Molad T, Savitsky I, Shkap V. Isolation of Neospora caninum from dairy zero grazing cattle in Israel.. Vet Parasitol 2007 Nov 10;149(3-4):167-71.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.08.009pubmed: 17850972google scholar: lookup
  23. Wobeser BK, Godson DL, Rejmanek D, Dowling P. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis caused by Neospora hughesi in an adult horse in Saskatchewan.. Can Vet J 2009 Aug;50(8):851-3.
    pmc: PMC2711471pubmed: 19881924
  24. Goris MG, Hartskeerl RA. Leptospirosis serodiagnosis by the microscopic agglutination test.. Curr Protoc Microbiol 2014 Feb 6;32:Unit 12E.5..
    doi: 10.1002/9780471729259.mc12e05s32pubmed: 24510846google scholar: lookup
  25. Blum S, Elad D, Zukin N, Lysnyansky I, Weisblith L, Perl S, Netanel O, David D. Outbreak of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infections in cats.. Vet Microbiol 2010 Jul 29;144(1-2):236-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.12.040pmc: PMC7126194pubmed: 20106608google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Berman N, Tirosh-Levy S, Steinman A, Minderigiu A, Blinder E, Leszkowicz Mazuz M. First Detection of Anti-Besnoitia spp. Antibodies in Equids in Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Microorganisms 2023 Apr 3;11(4).
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11040929pubmed: 37110352google scholar: lookup
  2. Mimoun L, Steinman A, Kliachko Y, Tirosh-Levy S, Schvartz G, Blinder E, Baneth G, Mazuz ML. Neospora spp. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Seropositivity in Apparently Healthy Horses and Pregnant Mares. Animals (Basel) 2022 Oct 7;12(19).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12192699pubmed: 36230440google scholar: lookup
  3. Jabar Aziz K, Mikaeel FB, Azeez SH, Bilal SJ. Seroepidemiological study of Neospora caninum in equids using c-ELISA in Erbil Province, Iraq. Folia Parasitol 2024 Nov 25;71.
    doi: 10.14411/fp.2024.022pubmed: 39632700google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.