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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Neospora spp. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Seropositi...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(19); doi: 10.3390/ani12192699

Neospora spp. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Seropositivity in Apparently Healthy Horses and Pregnant Mares.

Abstract: Equine Neospora infection has been linked to neurological disorders and infertility in horses. This study looked into the risk factors for infection and the exposure to Neospora spp. in horses. The study was performed in two independent populations in Israel. The first consisted of apparently healthy horses, and the second consisted of mares examined during pregnancy and after parturition. Sera samples collected from horses and mares were tested for Neospora exposure by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The study revealed seroprevalence of 24% in apparently healthy horses and 66.4% and 48.6% in mares during gestation and after parturition, respectively. Among the investigated risk factors, older age (p = 0.026) and housing in both stalls and paddocks (p = 0.033) in apparently healthy horses, and Arabian breeds (p = 0.005) in pregnant mares, were found to be significantly associated with Neospora spp. seropositivity in univariable, but not multivariable, statistical analysis. This study revealed high exposure of equines to Neospora parasites, especially mares. Horse farm management, in combination with active surveillance, including serological testing and follow up, could help reduce the spread of the parasite among horses in endemic areas.
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Publication Date: 2022-10-07 PubMed ID: 36230440PubMed Central: PMC9558976DOI: 10.3390/ani12192699Google 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 explores the likelihood and risk factors for horses, especially pregnant mares, to contract a parasitic infection known as Neospora spp. The study found that exposure to this parasite was quite high, particularly in mares, which could lead to neurological disorders and infertility.

Research Methodology

  • The research was conducted using two independent horse populations in Israel. One group consisted of apparently healthy horses, and the other group included mares assessed during pregnancy and after giving birth.
  • Scientists collected sera samples from both groups of horses and tested them for Neospora spp. exposure with the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT).

Research Findings

  • The study revealed a significant prevalence of the Neospora spp. parasite. Around 24% of healthy horses showed exposure, while for mares, the exposure rate was notably high at 66.4% during pregnancy and 48.6% after parturition.
  • Among the various risk factors examined in the study, an increased age, housing in both stalls and paddocks in healthy horses, and Arabian breeds in pregnant mares were significantly linked to a higher seropositivity for Neospora spp.
  • Interestingly, these factors were found significant in a univariable statistical analysis but not in a multivariable analysis.

Implications and Recommendations

  • The study highlights the high-level exposure of equines, especially mares, to Neospora spp. parasites. This has implications for equine health and breeding, as the infection can lead to neurological disorders and infertility.
  • The research suggests that proper management of horse farms, coupled with active monitoring comprising serological testing and follow-ups, could help mitigate the spread of the parasite among horses in areas where the infection is endemic.

Cite This Article

APA
Mimoun L, Steinman A, Kliachko Y, Tirosh-Levy S, Schvartz G, Blinder E, Baneth G, Mazuz ML. (2022). Neospora spp. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Seropositivity in Apparently Healthy Horses and Pregnant Mares. Animals (Basel), 12(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192699

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 19

Researcher Affiliations

Mimoun, Lea
  • Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50200, Israel.
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Steinman, Amir
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Kliachko, Ynon
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Tirosh-Levy, Sharon
  • Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50200, Israel.
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Schvartz, Gili
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Blinder, Elena
  • Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50200, Israel.
Baneth, Gad
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Mazuz, Monica Leszkowicz
  • Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50200, Israel.

Grant Funding

  • 2018-70-KG / Center for Companion Animal Health (CCAH), UC Davis & The Koret School of Veterinary Medicine (KSVM)

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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