Detection of Neospora sp. antibodies in cart horses from urban areas of Curitiba, Southern Brazil.

This research aims to investigate the prevalence of a harmful protozoan parasite, Neospora caninum, in cart horses commonly used for recycling transportation in Curitiba and surrounding areas in Southern Brazil.

Introduction and Context

• The study is based on the investigation of Neospora caninum, a type of parasitic microorganism affecting dogs and a range of other mammals. This parasite is primarily associated with causing diseases like abortion and central nervous system disorders.
• The research focuses on cart horses frequently used in Brazil’s urban regions for recycling material transport. Due to their reemerging population and their exposure to environmental elements, these horses can act as ‘sentinels’ or indicators for disease surveillance in the environment.
• The researchers focused on the urban region of Curitiba and surrounding areas in the Paraná State of Southern Brazil.

Methodology

• The team used an indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) to detect IgG antibodies against Neospora in the horses. In this test, any titers (measure of antibody concentration) equal to or higher than 1:50 were considered as a reactive or positive result.

Findings

• The results indicated that 14 out of 97 (14.4%) sampled horses were positive for Neospora antibodies. These positive cases were observed across various age groups of horses – 2 out of 29 horses younger than 5, 5 out of 26 horses aged between 6 and 9, and 6 out of 31 horses aged above 10 years.
• Additionally, one horse from an unknown age group was also found to be positive.
• The findings suggest that cart horses in urban settings are more likely to come into contact with dog feces and hence, to Neospora oocyst (an infectious form of the parasite) contamination.

Implications

• There’s an implication that a lower prevalence of the disease in dogs may reduce the risk of horse infections in urban areas, given the connection between dog feces and Neospora transmission.
• These insights could be valuable for public health, as better control of this parasitic disease in dogs and cart horses can help regulate its spread across urban areas in Brazil.