Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa) in an aborted equine fetus.
Abstract: Tachyzoites of Neospora caninum were found in sections of lung of an equine fetus aborted 2 mo before term. Individual tachyzoites were approximately 3-5 x 2-3 microns, divided by endodyogeny, and stained positively with anti-N. caninum serum but not with anti-Toxoplasma gondii serum. Toxoplasma gondii antibody was not found in the mare's serum. This is the first report of N. caninum in a horse and indicates that N. caninum can be transmitted transplacentally in equids.
Publication Date: 1990-10-01 PubMed ID: 2213418
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research study investigates the presence of Neospora caninum, a protozoan parasite, in an aborted horse fetus. It is the first reported instance of the parasite being found in a horse, indicating that it can be transmitted from a horse mother to its fetus.
Objective of the Research
- The primary objective of the research was to investigate the presence of Neospora caninum in an equine fetus that was aborted two months before the term. This investigation aimed to expand our understanding of the types of hosts the parasite can infect.
Procedure of the Research
- The researchers examined sections of the lung of the aborted fetus and found tachyzoites (a form of the parasite) of Neospora caninum.
- The tachyzoites were around 3-5 x 2-3 microns in size, dividing via a form of asexual reproduction known as endodyogeny.
- To ascertain the identification of Neospora caninum, they were stained with anti-N. caninum serum. The tachyzoites tested positive for this staining, confirming their identity as Neospora caninum.
- They were also stained with anti-Toxoplasma gondii serum, another similar parasite, to rule out the possibility of mistaken identity. However, the tachyzoites did not stain positively for this, ensuring that they were indeed Neospora caninum and not Toxoplasma gondii.
Significance of Results
- No Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were found in the mare’s serum, implying that the mare did not have an infection of Toxoplasma gondii, which further strengthens the case for Neospora caninum infection.
- This is the first reported instance of Neospora caninum in a horse, broadening the known hosts for the parasite and offering novel insights into its transmissibility and lifecycle.
- These results indicate that N. caninum is capable of transplacental transmission in equids (horse family), which refers to the ability of a parasite to be transmitted from a pregnant female to her fetus. This discovery has important implications for equine health and reproduction management.
Implications of the Research
- The findings of this research can lead to increased surveillance and control methods for Neospora caninum in equine populations.
- Understanding that the parasite can be transmitted transplacentally could change how pregnancies in horses are managed, potentially influencing veterinary interventions and preventive measures in equine reproduction.
Cite This Article
APA
Dubey JP, Porterfield ML.
(1990).
Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa) in an aborted equine fetus.
J Parasitol, 76(5), 732-734.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Livestock and Poultry Sciences Institute, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.
MeSH Terms
- Abortion, Veterinary / parasitology
- Animals
- Eukaryota / isolation & purification
- Female
- Fetal Diseases / parasitology
- Fetal Diseases / veterinary
- Fetus / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Lung / embryology
- Lung / parasitology
- Pregnancy
- Protozoan Infections / parasitology
- Protozoan Infections, Animal
Citations
This article has been cited 15 times.- Leszkowicz Mazuz M, Mimoun L, Schvartz G, Tirosh-Levy S, Savitzki I, Edery N, Blum SE, Baneth G, Pusterla N, Steinman A. Detection of Neospora caninum Infection in Aborted Equine Fetuses in Israel.. Pathogens 2020 Nov 19;9(11).
- Cong W, Nie LB, Qin SY, Wang WL, Qian AD, Meng QF. Prevalence of Neospora spp. in donkeys in China.. Parasite 2018;25:16.
- Jiménez D, Romero-Zuñiga JJ, Dolz G. Serosurveillance of infectious agents in equines of the Central Valley of Costa Rica.. Open Vet J 2014;4(2):107-12.
- Tavalla M, Sabaghan M, Abdizadeh R, Khademvatan S, Rafiei A, Razavi Piranshahi A. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. Infections in Arab Horses, Southwest of Iran.. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2015 Mar;8(3):e14939.
- English ED, Adomako-Ankomah Y, Boyle JP. Secreted effectors in Toxoplasma gondii and related species: determinants of host range and pathogenesis?. Parasite Immunol 2015 Mar;37(3):127-40.
- Talafha AQ, Al-Majali AM. Prevalence and risk factors associated with Neospora caninum infection in dairy herds in Jordan.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2013 Feb;45(2):479-85.
- Dong J, Otsuki T, Kato T, Park EY. Development of a diagnostic method for neosporosis in cattle using recombinant Neospora caninum proteins.. BMC Biotechnol 2012 May 4;12:19.
- Hosseini M, Moraveji M, Tahamtan Y, Rahimian A, Mohammadi G, Namavari M. Seroprevalence of Neospora spp. in Horses in North East of Iran.. Iran J Parasitol 2011 Jun;6(2):64-8.
- Haddadzadeh HR, Sadrebazzaz A, Malmasi A, Talei Ardakani H, Khazraii Nia P, Sadreshirazi N. Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in dogs from rural and urban environments in Tehran, Iran.. Parasitol Res 2007 Nov;101(6):1563-5.
- Haddad JP, Dohoo IR, VanLeewen JA. A review of Neospora caninum in dairy and beef cattle--a Canadian perspective.. Can Vet J 2005 Mar;46(3):230-43.
- Sánchez GF, Morales SE, Martínez MJ, Trigo JF. Determination and correlation of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in dogs and cattle from Mexico.. Can J Vet Res 2003 May;67(2):142-5.
- Dubey JP. Review of Neospora caninum and neosporosis in animals.. Korean J Parasitol 2003 Mar;41(1):1-16.
- Ho MS, Barr BC, Tarantal AF, Lai LT, Hendrickx AG, Marsh AE, Sverlow KW, Packham AE, Conrad PA. Detection of Neospora from tissues of experimentally infected rhesus macaques by PCR and specific DNA probe hybridization.. J Clin Microbiol 1997 Jul;35(7):1740-5.
- Baszler TV, Knowles DP, Dubey JP, Gay JM, Mathison BA, McElwain TF. Serological diagnosis of bovine neosporosis by Neospora caninum monoclonal antibody-based competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.. J Clin Microbiol 1996 Jun;34(6):1423-8.
- Ho MS, Barr BC, Marsh AE, Anderson ML, Rowe JD, Tarantal AF, Hendrickx AG, Sverlow K, Dubey JP, Conrad PA. Identification of bovine Neospora parasites by PCR amplification and specific small-subunit rRNA sequence probe hybridization.. J Clin Microbiol 1996 May;34(5):1203-8.
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