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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis / Low Seroprevalence of Leishmania infantum and Toxoplasma gon...
Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)2015; 15(12); 726-731; doi: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1826

Low Seroprevalence of Leishmania infantum and Toxoplasma gondii in the Horse Population in Israel.

Abstract: A cross-sectional investigation was done on the seroprevalence of Leishmania infantum and Toxoplasma gondii infection among apparently healthy horses in Israel. This survey included 383 horses distributed in 22 farms throughout Israel during the years 2011-2013. Serum samples were tested for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using the direct agglutination test (DAT) specific to Leishmania and by the modified agglutination test (MAT) for the presence of IgG antibodies to T. gondii. Low seroprevalences were detected for both L. infantum and T. gondii in the horse population in Israel; of the 338 horses tested, 6 (1.4%) were found to be seropositive for L. infantum and 11 (2.5%) for T. gondii, with no significant association between seroprevalence and demographic/environmental factors. An ongoing geographical expansion of L. infantum, previously reported in humans and dogs in Israel, was also supported by our results in horses. Here we present evidence of exposure of horses to L. infantum and T. gondii in Israel. Continuous seroprevalence surveillance in horses, such as the one performed in this study, might further elucidate the eco-epidemiology of these two important zoonotic parasites in this country.
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Publication Date: 2015-11-18 PubMed ID: 26580094DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1826Google 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 article is a study on the prevalence of Leishmania infantum and Toxoplasma gondii infections among healthy horses in Israel, confirming a low rate of occurrence and suggesting ongoing investigation into these zoonotic parasites to understand their eco-epidemiology in the region.

Research Methodology

  • The study featured a cross-sectional investigation aimed at understanding the prevalence or ‘seroprevalence’ of two infections, Leishmania infantum and Toxoplasma gondii, in the horse population in Israel.
  • The study was carried out between 2011 and 2013, involving 383 horses distributed in 22 farms across Israel.
  • Serum samples were collected from these horses and tested for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies – markers of the body’s response to infections.
  • The researchers used the direct agglutination test (DAT) specific to Leishmania and the modified agglutination test (MAT) for detecting the presence of IgG antibodies to T. gondii.

Key Results of the Study

  • Results of these tests indicated low seroprevalences of both L. infantum and T. gondii in the horse population tested.
  • Of the 338 horses tested, 6 (1.4%) were found to be seropositive (i.e., showing an immune response) for L. infantum and 11 (2.5%) for T. gondii.
  • There was no significant association detected between the seroprevalence of these infections and various demographic or environmental factors.

Implications of the Study

  • The results suggest an ongoing geographical expansion of L. infantum, previously reported in humans and dogs in Israel, is also present in horses.
  • This study indicates that horses in Israel have been exposed to these two parasites, L. infantum and T. gondii.
  • The authors argue that continuous monitoring or ‘seroprevalence surveillance’ in horses could shed light on the eco-epidemiology of these two significant zoonotic parasites in Israel.
  • Zoonotic parasites are those that can pass from animals to humans, hence understanding their prevalence and distribution is crucial for controlling potential public health risks.

Cite This Article

APA
Aharonson-Raz K, Baneth G, Lopes AP, Brancal H, Schallig H, Cardoso L, Steinman A. (2015). Low Seroprevalence of Leishmania infantum and Toxoplasma gondii in the Horse Population in Israel. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 15(12), 726-731. https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2015.1826

Publication

Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1557-7759
NlmUniqueID: 100965525
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 12
Pages: 726-731

Researcher Affiliations

Aharonson-Raz, Karin
  • 1 Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University , Rehovot, Israel .
Baneth, Gad
  • 1 Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University , Rehovot, Israel .
Lopes, Ana Patrícia
  • 2 Department of Veterinary Sciences and Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) , Vila Real, Portugal .
Brancal, Hugo
  • 3 Veterinary Clinic of Covilhã , Quinta das Ferreiras, Boidobra, Covilhã, Portugal .
  • 4 Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior , Covilhã, Portugal .
  • 5 Agrarian College, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco , Castelo Branco, Portugal .
Schallig, Henk
  • 6 Department of Biomedical Research, Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen (KIT)/Royal Tropical Institute , Amsterdam, The Netherlands .
Cardoso, Luís
  • 2 Department of Veterinary Sciences and Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) , Vila Real, Portugal .
Steinman, Amir
  • 1 Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University , Rehovot, Israel .

MeSH Terms

  • Agglutination Tests / veterinary
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Geography
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses
  • Israel
  • Leishmania infantum / immunology
  • Leishmania infantum / isolation & purification
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / epidemiology
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / parasitology
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / veterinary
  • Male
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasma / isolation & purification
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / parasitology

Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
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    doi: 10.3390/biom13091374pubmed: 37759774google scholar: lookup
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