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Veterinary parasitology2015; 209(1-2); 129-132; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.01.023

Occurrence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and its isolation and genotyping in donkeys, mules, and horses in Brazil.

Abstract: The occurrence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii was determined in donkeys, mules, and horses from different regions of Brazil. Serum samples from 304 donkeys (67.11%), 118 horses (26.05%), and 31 mules (6.84%) were analyzed by means of the indirect fluorescent antibody test (cutoff=64). Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 129 equids (28.47%) (82 donkeys, 32 horses, and 15 mules). Tissue samples from 19 seropositive and 50 seronegative animals were obtained in order to isolate the parasite by means of mouse bioassay, and T. gondii was isolated from a donkey. Through genotypic characterization of the isolate, by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using 11 genotypic markers, the genotype #163 (TgCkBr220), which has already been described in chickens in Brazil, was identified.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2015-02-04 PubMed ID: 25747488DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.01.023Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 explores the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, a common parasite, in donkeys, mules, and horses in Brazil, using a test known as the indirect fluorescent antibody test. The paper confirms the detection of the parasite in about 28% of the tested population, and through certain procedures managed to isolate the parasite from a donkey. Furthermore, the isolated parasite was genotypically identified as a strain that has been previously observed in chickens in Brazil.

Study Approach and Findings

  • The study sampled 304 donkeys, 118 horses, and 31 mules from various regions in Brazil.
  • The use of the indirect fluorescent antibody test, a diagnostic test that detects antibodies against T. gondii, helped to identify the prevalence rate at about 28%.
  • The infected population included 82 donkeys, 32 horses, and 15 mules which further breaks down the prevalence to a species level.
  • Samples were then taken from 19 animals that tested positive and 50 that tested negative to isolate the parasite. The parasite was successfully isolated from a donkey.

Genotypic Characterization

  • Post-isolation, the team proceeded to identify the genotype (genetic makeup) of the T. gondii strain.
  • They used a method called PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). This method uses an enzyme to cut the DNA into fragments, which are then separated and identified based on their lengths.
  • The genotype identified was #163 (TgCkBr220), a strain that has previously been described in chickens in Brazil.

Conclusion and Significance

  • The exploration of the prevalence and genotypic characteristic of T. gondii in horses, mules, and donkeys contributes to the broader understanding of the parasite’s prevalence and adaptations. This can be highly beneficial for future parasite control and management programs.
  • The findings also highlight the genetic similarities between the T. gondii strain in the studied animals and chickens, suggesting possible common infection sources or similar infection pathways.

Cite This Article

APA
Gennari SM, Esmerini Pde O, Lopes MG, Soares HS, Vitaliano SN, Cabral AD, Pena HF, Horta MC, Cavalcante PH, Fortes KP, Villalobos EM. (2015). Occurrence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and its isolation and genotyping in donkeys, mules, and horses in Brazil. Vet Parasitol, 209(1-2), 129-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.01.023

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 209
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 129-132
PII: S0304-4017(15)00041-2

Researcher Affiliations

Gennari, Solange M
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: sgennari@usp.br.
Esmerini, Patrícia de O
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Lopes, Marcos G
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Soares, Herbert S
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Vitaliano, Sérgio N
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Curso de Medicina Veterinária, FMU, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Cabral, Aline D
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Pena, Hilda F J
  • Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Horta, Maurício C
  • Colegiado de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, PE, Brazil.
Cavalcante, Paulo H
  • Instituto de Teologia Aplicada, Faculdades INTA, Sobral, CE, Brazil.
Fortes, Kleber P
  • Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Villalobos, Eliana M C
  • Instituto Biológico, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Equidae
  • Genotype
  • Species Specificity
  • Toxoplasma / genetics
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / blood
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / immunology

Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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    doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed8040234pubmed: 37104359google scholar: lookup
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    doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012737pubmed: 39715261google scholar: lookup
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    doi: 10.1007/s11686-024-00905-zpubmed: 39160342google scholar: lookup
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