Prevalence of antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in horses from Argentina.

This study reveals the rate of antibodies for Sarcocystis neurona, Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum in horses from Argentina, showing that there’s a significant presence of S. neurona, a minor presence of T. gondii, but no evidence of N. caninum.

Study Design and Methods

• The researchers worked with serum samples from 76 horses in Argentina.
• These samples were subjected to different tests to detect the presence of antibodies for three infectious agents: Sarcocystis neurona, Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum. The presence of antibodies indicates that the horse has been exposed to these infections.
• For the detection of S. neurona, the team used immunoblots with culture-derived merozoites, which are a stage in the life cycle of protozoan parasites. A positive reaction indicates the presence of antibodies against S. neurona.
• Antibodies to T. gondii was detected using the modified agglutination test. This involved using formalin-fixed tachyzoites (another form of protozoan parasites) and mercaptoethanol, a reducing agent.
• The presence of antibodies to N. caninum was checked via a specific N. caninum agglutination test. Agglutination is the clumping of particles, which in this case would signify the presence of antibodies produced in response to N. caninum.

Results and Significance

• The study revealed that 27 out of 76 horses (35.5%) tested positive for S. neurona antibodies. This is significant as it is the first time S. neurona infection has been reported in horses in Argentina.
• Antibodies for T. gondii were detected in 10 of the 76 horses (13.1%), indicating that a smaller portion of the horse population had been exposed to this parasite.
• There were no instances of antibodies to N. caninum in any of the horses, suggesting that this pathogen is not a common threat to horses in Argentina.