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Home / Equine Research Bank / Folia Parasitol (Praha) / Seroepidemiological study of Neospora caninum in equids usin...
Folia parasitologica2024; 71; 2024.022; doi: 10.14411/fp.2024.022

Seroepidemiological study of Neospora caninum in equids using c-ELISA in Erbil Province, Iraq.

Abstract: Equine neosporosis is an intracellular protozoan disease with a global distribution, affecting a diverse range of warm-blooded animals. Neospora caninum Dubey, Carpenter, Speer, Topper et Uggla, 1988 is associated with foetal loss, neurological disease and abortion in equids. No information was available regarding equine N. caninum infection among equids in Iraq. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of N. caninum in equines by using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). A total of 329 blood samples randomly selected from equines, comprising 268 horses and 61 donkeys were examined. The seroprevalence rate of N. caninum was determined as 46% (28/61) for donkeys and 24% (64/268) for horses. The prevalence of N. caninum indicated a significantly higher risk of infection in donkeys compared to horses (P < 0.001). However, the odds of N. caninum infection in draught equids were 8.2 times greater than other equids with a significant difference (P < 0.001). The current study revealed no significant differences in the prevalence of N. caninum across various genders, breeds, clinical statuses, disease histories and among equids that had contact with dogs. While outdoor feeding and mixed (grazing), showed a significant difference (P = 0.003) and (P = 0.75), respectively, in the presence of antibodies against N. caninum compared to indoor feeding (stable). Moreover, the odds of infection in equids with a history of late abortion were 4.8 times higher than those without such a history of abortion (2.20-10.56) with statistical significance (P < 0.001).
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Publication Date: 2024-11-25 PubMed ID: 39632700DOI: 10.14411/fp.2024.022Google 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 study investigates the prevalence of the parasitic disease, neosporosis, in horses and donkeys in Erbil, Iraq, using a laboratory technique called competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). The research reveals higher infection in donkeys compared to horses, and found a greater risk of infection in draught equids compared to other types.

Objective of the Study

  • The primary goal of this research was to determine the prevalence of the Neospora caninum parasite in equids (horses and donkeys) in Erbil, Iraq. This study was prompted by the lack of information about how frequently N. caninum infects horses and donkeys in this region.
  • The researchers chose to use the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) to detect the disease. This is a specific type of blood test designed to identify antibodies produced by the immune system in response to N. caninum.

Methodology and Findings

  • The study examined the blood samples from 329 equids – 268 horses and 61 donkeys. They found that 24% of horses and 46% of donkeys were infected with N. caninum. Thus, the data indicates a higher risk of infection in donkeys than in horses.
  • The study also looked at the infection rate in ‘draught equids’, or animals used for hard physical work like pulling loads. The results showed the odds of infection in these animals were 8.2 times greater compared to other animals. The researchers suspect that this could be due to their increased exposure to the parasite due to their work environments.
  • The research did not find significant differences in the prevalence of the disease across various genders, breeds, or clinical statuses. There were no discrepancies observed between equids that had contact with dogs either, despite dogs being known carriers of the disease.
  • However, the method of feeding did show a significant difference. Outdoor feeding and mixed grazing were associated with higher antibody presence against N. caninum compared to stable feeding (indoor feeding).
  • The study reported the odds of infection were 4.8 times higher in equids with a history of late abortions than in those with no history of abortions, indicating N. caninum may play a role in reproductive failures.

Significance of the Study

  • This study fills a gap in knowledge about the prevalence of N. caninum in equids in Erbil, Iraq, highlighting the higher susceptibility of donkeys and draught animals.
  • The findings can guide better management and preventive strategies for equids, especially those at higher risk of infection.
  • Furthermore, the association of N. caninum infection with reproductive failures can provide a basis for further studies into the parasite’s role in equine reproduction issues.

Cite This Article

APA
Jabar Aziz K, Mikaeel FB, Azeez SH, Bilal SJ. (2024). Seroepidemiological study of Neospora caninum in equids using c-ELISA in Erbil Province, Iraq. Folia Parasitol (Praha), 71, 2024.022. https://doi.org/10.14411/fp.2024.022

Publication

Folia parasitologica
ISSN: 1803-6465
NlmUniqueID: 0065750
Country: Czech Republic
Language: English
Volume: 71
PII: 2024.022

Researcher Affiliations

Jabar Aziz, Khalid
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Iraq.
Mikaeel, Farhad Buzo
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq.
Azeez, Sarhang Hasan
  • College of Education, Biology Department, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Iraq.
Bilal, Samir Jawdat
  • College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Department of Fish Resources and Aquatic Animals, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Iraq *Address for correspondence: Khalid Jabar Aziz, College of Veterinary Medicine, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Iraq; Email: khalid.aziz1@su.edu.krd; ORCID: 0000-0002-6662-3863.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Neospora / isolation & purification
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary
  • Coccidiosis / epidemiology
  • Coccidiosis / parasitology
  • Iraq / epidemiology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Equidae / parasitology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses
  • Female
  • Male
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Prevalence

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