Investigations on naturally occurring Trypanosoma evansi infections in horses, cattle, dogs and capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) in Pantanal de Poconé (Mato Grosso, Brazil).
Abstract: The prevalence of Mal de Cadeiras--Portuguese for Trypanosoma (T.) evansi infections in horses--as well as the prevalence of T.evansi infections in cattle, dogs and free-ranging capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) was investigated in Pantanal de Poconé (Mato Grosso, Brazil). In 0.3, 8.6 and 8.0% of the horses, dogs and capybaras, respectively, infection was detected using standard parasitological methods. A seroprevalence of 4.1, 2.3, 7.1 and 22.0% was found in horses, cattle, dogs and capybaras, respectively, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of T.evansi antigen (Ag-ELISA), whereas 9.6, 4.2, 18.6 and 14.0% of the animals investigated were reactive in a T.evansi antibody (Ab-) ELISA. Positive ELISA results ('high responders') were identified using computer-assisted mixture analysis (C.A.MAN). Agglutinating antibodies were detected by the T.evansi card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis (CATT/T.evansi) in 14.6%, 1.3%, 15.7% and 22.0% of the horses, cattle, dogs and capybaras, respectively. A moderate but significant (kappa test; p or = 4 (results of the Ag-ELISA received double weight). Estimates of seroprevalence according to TS were 13.2, 4.7, 30.0 and 24.0% for horses, cattle, dogs and capybaras, respectively. Identical isoenzyme profiles, known as zymodeme 58 (T.evansi MCAN/BR/86/H), were found in all T.evansi stocks isolated in the study area (six from dogs, one from a horse and one from a capybara). From the results of this study it can be inferred that Mal de Cadeiras is endemic in Pantanal de Poconé. Although clinical and parasitological findings support the possible role of the capybara as a reservoir host of T.evansi, dogs and cattle--due to their close contact with horses--should rather be regarded as efficient reservoir hosts for Mal de Cadeiras in the study area.
Publication Date: 1994-11-01 PubMed ID: 7887341DOI: 10.1016/0001-706x(94)90055-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research studied the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi infections, or Mal de Cadeiras, in horses, dogs, cattle, and capybaras in Pantanal de Poconé, Brazil. The findings show that the disease is endemic in the area and suggests that dogs and cattle may serve as effective reservoir hosts for the disease, due to their close interaction with horses.
Research Methods and Observations
- The study employed both standard parasitological methods and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (known as Ag-ELISA) to identify T. evansi infections amongst horses, dogs, cattle, and capybaras.
- In 0.3, 8.6, and 8.0% of the horses, dogs, and capybaras, infections were detected using parasitological methods.
- Seroprevalence (presence of specific antibodies in blood serum) of 4.1, 2.3, 7.1, and 22.0%, was detected in horses, cattle, dogs, and capybaras respectively using the Ag-ELISA test.
- In addition to Ag-ELISA testing, they also used T. evansi antibody (Ab-) ELISA, with ‘high responders’ identified using a tool called computer-assisted mixture analysis (C.A.MAN), and applied a T. evansi card agglutination test, referred to as CATT/T. evansi, which detects agglutinating antibodies.
Interpretation of Test Results
- The research revealed a significant overlap between Ab-ELISA and CATT results, despite any general alignment between antibody and antigen detection tests.
- To maximise the yield from the three serodiagnostic tests, their results were numerically scored and collated into a total score (TS), which was then used as an indicator for infection.
- Estimates of seroprevalence using the TS scoring system were 13.2, 4.7, 30.0 and 24.0% for horses, cattle, dogs and capybaras respectively.
- All T. evansi stocks isolated in the study area exhibited identical isoenzyme profiles, known as zymodeme 58 (T.evansi MCAN/BR/86/H).
Conclusion
- The findings suggest that Mal de Cadeiras is endemic in Pantanal de Poconé, Brazil.
- Although capybaras were initially thought to be reservoir hosts for T. evansi, the clinical and parasitological findings imply that dogs and cattle, due to their close contact with horses, should be considered as more effective reservoir hosts for Mal de Cadeiras in this specific study area.
Cite This Article
APA
Franke CR, Greiner M, Mehlitz D.
(1994).
Investigations on naturally occurring Trypanosoma evansi infections in horses, cattle, dogs and capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) in Pantanal de Poconé (Mato Grosso, Brazil).
Acta Trop, 58(2), 159-169.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-706x(94)90055-8 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institut für Parasitologie und Tropenveterinärmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antigens, Protozoan / analysis
- Brazil / epidemiology
- Cattle
- Cattle Diseases / epidemiology
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Dog Diseases / epidemiology
- Dogs
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Rodent Diseases / epidemiology
- Rodentia
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Trypanosomiasis / veterinary
Citations
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