Prevalence and risk factors for IgG antibodies to Neospora spp. in three types of equids from Southern Punjab, Pakistan.
Abstract: Equine hosts suffer from neurological disease, congenital infection, and reproductive problems associated with Neospora spp. infection. We conducted a cross sectional study using sera from 631 equids (324 horses, 218 donkeys and 89 mules) from the southern region of Punjab province, Pakistan to determine the prevalence of antibodies against Neospora spp. in this diverse group of equines. Fisk factors associated with seropositivity were evaluated statistically based on equine type, breed, age, husbandry, breeding methods, and reproductive history. Prevalence of antibodies to Neospora spp. was detected using a commercially available competitive ELISA kit. We detected IgG antibodies to Neospora spp. in 23.3% of the equids with prevalence by host being 16.0% in horses, 32.6% in donkeys and 26.9% in 89 mules. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences in prevalence were observed among these hosts. Prevalence ranged in breeds of horses from 3.7% in the Morna breed, 12.4% in breeding stock, 26.8% in draughting stock, to 31.4% in unknown breeds. No significant (P > 0.05) difference in prevalence was noted among age groups. Prevalence was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in female equines with a history of abortion than those with no history of abortion. This is the first report documenting Neospora spp. in equines from Pakistan and it provides evidence that Neospora spp. is associated with abortions in female equines in Pakistan.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-09-13 PubMed ID: 30219554DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.09.007Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article reports a study conducted in Southern Punjab, Pakistan, that examined the presence of antibodies for the Neospora spp. pathogen in various types of equids (horses, donkeys, and mules). The study found that the infection was most prevalent in donkeys and was significantly linked to instances of abortion in female equines.
Research Methodology
- The researchers employed a cross-sectional study design to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against Neospora spp. in equids. They collected blood samples from 631 equines, comprising 324 horses, 218 donkeys, and 89 mules.
- The presence of the antibodies was detected through a commercial competitive ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) kit, which is a common testing method for identifying antibodies in blood samples.
- The scientists analyzed the data by considering various factors, such as the type of equine, breed, age, husbandry practices, breeding methods, and reproductive history.
Key Findings
- The researchers found IgG antibodies to Neospora spp. in 23.3% of the equids. The prevalence differed among the different types of equids, standing at 16.0% in horses, 32.6% in donkeys, and 26.9% in mules.
- There was significant variation in infection prevalence among different horse breeds, ranging from as low as 3.7% in the Morna breed to as high as 31.4% in unknown breeds.
- Age was not found to be significantly associated with infection rates, as no noticeable difference in prevalence was observed among different age groups.
- Notably, the study found that the prevalence of the Neospora spp. antibodies was higher in female equines that had previously suffered an abortion. This implies a potential link between Neospora spp. infection and abortion incidents in female equines.
Significance of the Study
- This research provides the first documented evidence of Neospora spp. in equines from Pakistan, expanding our understanding of the geographical range of this pathogen.
- The clear association between Neospora spp. infection and abortion incidents in female equines underscores the impact of this pathogen on equine reproductive health. This finding may guide future research and interventions aimed at reducing abortion rates in equines.
Cite This Article
APA
Nazir MM, Ayaz MM, Ahmed AN, Rasheed I, Faraz A, Akram Q, Akhtar S, Maqbool A, Tabassum S, Zheng Y, Lindsay DS.
(2018).
Prevalence and risk factors for IgG antibodies to Neospora spp. in three types of equids from Southern Punjab, Pakistan.
Acta Trop, 188, 240-243.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.09.007 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan. Electronic address: mudasser.nazir@bzu.edu.pk.
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
- Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54600, Pakistan.
- Department of Livestock and Poultry Production, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
- Bahadur Campus Layyah, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Lahore, Lahore 54500, Pakistan.
- Department of Statistics, The Women University, Multan 60800, Pakistan.
- Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No 1, Xujiaping, Yanchangbu, Lanzhou 730046, Gansu, PR China.
- Virginia Tech, Faculty of Health Science, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Center for One Health Research, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
- Coccidiosis / veterinary
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
- Equidae / parasitology
- Female
- Immunoglobulin G / blood
- Male
- Neospora / immunology
- Pakistan / epidemiology
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Costa PWL, Oliveira CSM, Bezerra RA, Alvares FBV, Formiga VHAS, Martins MRDD, Feitosa TF, Vilela VLR. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii and Anti-Neospora caninum Antibodies in Urban Traction Equids in Northeast Brazil: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023 Apr 20;8(4).
- Perrucci S, Guardone L, Altomonte I, Salari F, Nardoni S, Martini M, Mancianti F. Apicomplexan Protozoa Responsible for Reproductive Disorders: Occurrence of DNA in Blood and Milk of Donkeys (Equus asinus) and Minireview of the Related Literature. Pathogens 2021 Jan 22;10(2).
- Tirosh-Levy S, Steinman A, Minderigiu A, Arieli O, Savitski I, Fleiderovitz L, Edery N, Schvartz G, Mazuz ML. High Exposure to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora Spp. in Donkeys in Israel: Serological Survey and Case Reports. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 19;10(10).
- Farajeen H, Ereqat S, Al-Jawabreh A, Nasereddin A. Genetic Diversity of Neospora Caninum in Palestinian Cattle and Sheep: Insights From Nc-5 Gene Detection and MS10 Microsatellite Analysis. Vet Med Sci 2026 Jan;12(1):e70811.
- Shams F, Jokar M, Abdous A, Mohammadi P, Abbassioun A, Seuberlich T, Rahmanian V. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in horse population of Tehran, Iran. Sci Rep 2024 Jul 24;14(1):17054.
- Alshammari A, Gattan HS, Marzok M, Selim A. Seroprevalence and risk factors for Neospora spp. infection in equine in Egypt. Sci Rep 2023 Nov 19;13(1):20242.
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