Investigation of Neospora sp. and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in mares and in precolostral foals from Parana State, Southern Brazil.

This research conducted a study on mares and precolostral foals in Parana State, Brazil, to understand the prevalence of Neospora and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies, and to discern their potential role in equine reproduction failure and neurological disease.

Methodology

• The researchers used an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to identify specific antibodies pertaining to Neospora sp. and Toxoplasma gondii in horses.
• The study was carried out at three points in time: 2003, 2004, and at parturition (the process of giving birth). Not all horses were available for testing at the time of parturition.

Findings

• In 2003, the researchers found antibodies to Neospora in 17 mares (47%) at a dilution of 1:50 and in 5 mares (13.8%) at 1:100 dilution.
• In 2004, Neospora antibodies were discovered in 11 horses (30%) at 1:50 dilution and in 6 mares (16.6%) at dilution 1:100.
• Antibodies against T.gondii were found in 2.7% of mares in 2003 and 2004.
• The researchers found no evidence for Neospora sp. causing equine reproduction failure within the studied farm.
• Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to Neospora were present in two out of the nine precolostrum foals.

Implications

• The researchers noted that four seronegative foals were born to seronegative mothers, while three seronegative foals were birthed by seropositive mothers. Meanwhile, two foals that tested positive for the antibodies were born to seropositive mothers.
• None of the foals exhibited any clinical symptoms and T. gondii antibodies were not found in their serum samples.
• The total immunoglobulin levels detected in seronegative precolostrum foals were lower than those observed in the foals that tested positive.
• The findings prompted the need for additional research to distinguish between N. hughesi and N. caninum serologically, and to understand any potential association of these parasites with neurological diseases in horses and reproductive failure.