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Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in equids of Western Pará, Brazil.
Abstract: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in equids raised for distinct purposes in the western state of Pará, Brazil, and to identify potential risk factors associated with parasite infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted with cluster sampling in 101 farms from 18 municipalities (farm horses). In visited municipalities, samples from sport and cart horses were included. Serum was obtained for detecting antibodies against T. gondii and Neospora spp. using indirect fluorescent antibody test, with a cut-off point of 1:64 and 1:50, respectively. Association analysis, using the chi-square test, was performed to evaluate possible risk factors related to the prevalence of antibodies. A total of 1298 equids were sampled (947 farm, 240 sport, and 111 cart horses), including 1244 horses, 2 donkeys, and 52 mules. The number of equids sampled per property ranged from 1 to 49. Of the total examined, 134 (10.3%) had antibodies against T. gondii, and of the 18 municipalities visited, 11 (61%) had at least one positive animal. Seventy-three of the 1298 equids (5.62%) from 44% of the municipalities tested positive for Neospora spp. The type of the animal (farm, sport, or carthorse) was not associated with the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii; however, antibodies against Neospora spp. was more prevalent in carthorses (P = 0.001) (13.5%) than in farm (5.0%) and sport (4.6%) horses. Breed of the horse and the presence of cats were risk factors for the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii, and presence of dogs was a risk factor for the prevalence of antibodies against Neospora spp. This is the first report of seropositive equids for T. gondii and Neospora spp. in the state of Pará contributing to the knowledge on epidemiology of the two parasites.
Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2018-09-27 PubMed ID: 30267659DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.09.023Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article explored the presence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in horses in the western state of Pará, Brazil, and the possible risk factors for infection.
Research Objective
- The main goal of the study was to identify the prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in equids (horses and related animals) bred for various purposes in the state of Pará. Another goal was to understand any risk factors that could be linked with a higher likelihood of these parasite infections.
Research Methodology
- A cross-sectional study was performed, with samples collected from equids raised on 101 farms across 18 municipalities.
- The sample populations included a variety of equids – 947 farm horses, 240 sport horses, and 111 cart horses. In total, 1244 horses, 2 donkeys, and 52 mules were tested.
- Serum was collected to detect antibodies against T. gondii and Neospora spp. using an indirect fluorescent antibody test.
- Statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-square test to evaluate any potential risk factors linked to the prevalence of these antibodies.
Findings
- Out of the 1298 equids tested, 134 (around 10.3%) were found to have antibodies against T. gondii, and 73 equids (approximately 5.62%) tested positive for Neospora spp.
- The species of the animal (whether it was a farm horse, sport horse, or cart horse) did not affect prevalence of T. gondii antibodies. However, cart horses were found to have a higher prevalence of Neospora spp. antibodies.
- It was identified that the breed of the horse and the presence of cats on the property were risk factors for T. gondii infection, while the presence of dogs was a risk factor for Neospora spp. infection.
Significance
- This study offered a first-ever report of seropositive equids (those testing positive for specific antibodies in their blood serum) for T. gondii and Neospora spp. in the state of Pará, Brazil.
- The findings could contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of these two parasites, enabling more effective control and prevention strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Moreira TR, Sarturi C, Stelmachtchuk FN, Andersson E, Norlander E, de Oliveira FLC, Machado Portela J, Marcili A, Emanuelson U, Gennari SM, Minervino AHH.
(2018).
Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in equids of Western Pará, Brazil.
Acta Trop, 189, 39-45.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.09.023 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Animal Health, LARSANA, Federal University of Western Pará, UFOPA. Vera Paz Street, s/n, CEP 68100-000, Santarém, Pará, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Animal Health, LARSANA, Federal University of Western Pará, UFOPA. Vera Paz Street, s/n, CEP 68100-000, Santarém, Pará, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Animal Health, LARSANA, Federal University of Western Pará, UFOPA. Vera Paz Street, s/n, CEP 68100-000, Santarém, Pará, Brazil.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 UPPSALA, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 UPPSALA, Sweden.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, FMVZ, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, USP, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Animal Health, LARSANA, Federal University of Western Pará, UFOPA. Vera Paz Street, s/n, CEP 68100-000, Santarém, Pará, Brazil.
- Masters in Medicine and Animal Welfare, Santo Amaro University, Av. Prof. Eneas de Siqueira Neto, 340, São Paulo, 04529-300, Brazil.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 UPPSALA, Sweden.
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, FMVZ, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, USP, Brazil; Masters in Medicine and Animal Welfare, Santo Amaro University, Av. Prof. Eneas de Siqueira Neto, 340, São Paulo, 04529-300, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Animal Health, LARSANA, Federal University of Western Pará, UFOPA. Vera Paz Street, s/n, CEP 68100-000, Santarém, Pará, Brazil. Electronic address: ah.minervino@gmail.com.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
- Brazil / epidemiology
- Cats
- Coccidiosis / blood
- Coccidiosis / epidemiology
- Coccidiosis / parasitology
- Coccidiosis / veterinary
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Dogs
- Equidae
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Male
- Neospora / immunology
- Risk Factors
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Toxoplasma / immunology
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal / blood
- Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 7 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).
- Kim K, Ito K. Targeted sampling reduces the uncertainty in force of infection estimates from serological surveillance. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:754255.
- Chen L, Zhao ZJ, Meng QF. Detection of Specific IgG-Antibodies Against Toxoplasma gondii in the Serum and Milk of Domestic Donkeys During Lactation in China: A Potential Public Health Concern. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021;11:760400.
- 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).
- Ye T, Li XM, Tan WX, Wang CL, Jiang J, Zhao Q. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Equids: A Global Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Acta Parasitol 2025 Aug 7;70(4):167.
- Picanço EMB, Assis FFV, Peleja PL, Sousa ABB, Barrêto Júnior RA, Lima RF, Neves KAL, Minervino AHH. Risk Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Antibodies Against Brucellosis in Equids from Western Pará, Brazil. Microorganisms 2025 Jun 30;13(7).
- 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.
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