FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Sci Rep / Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in hor...
Scientific reports2024; 14(1); 17054; doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-61999-z

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in horse population of Tehran, Iran.

Abstract: Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii are two closely related protozoan parasites that are widely distributed throughout the world. Horses can act as intermediate hosts for both parasites and can acquire disease. Blood samples were taken from 487 clinically healthy horses from 17 different mechanized stables in Tehran, the capital of Iran, during September and November of 2022. IFAT and ELISA were employed to detect antibodies directed against Neospora spp. and T. gondii. The anti-N. caninum antibodies were detected in 52 of the horses (10.67%) based on IFAT and in 86 of the 487 horses (17.65%) based on the ELISA test. Also, antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 41 horses (8.42%) based on IFAT and in 63 of 487 horses (12.94%) based on the ELISA test. Also, in 6 of the horses (1.23%) based on IFAT and in 13 of the 487 horses (2.67%) based on the ELISA test, double positivity suggested co-infection with both parasites. Gender, age groups, and the presence of dogs for neosporosis, and age groups and the presence of cats for toxoplasmosis, could be considered factors having an influence on the seroprevalences (P < 0.05). The results proved the importance of the urgent implementation of stringent regulatory measures to prevent and control the spread of these parasites.
© 2024. The Author(s).
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2024-07-24 PubMed ID: 39048639PubMed Central: PMC11269710DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61999-zGoogle 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 given article studies the prevalence of two protozoan parasites, Neospora and Toxoplasma gondii, in the horse population of Tehran, Iran.

Introduction

  • The research falls into the realm of veterinary medicine and epidemiology, primarily focusing on the presence of two protozoans: Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in horses. These parasites are globally prevalent, with horses acting as potential intermediate hosts. The goal of the study is to quantify the prevalence of these parasites amongst the horse population in Tehran, Iran, and identify potential factors influencing their prevalence.

Methodology

  • The study was conducted by collecting blood samples from 487 clinically healthy horses from 17 mechanized stables in Tehran between September and November 2022. The samples were then tested for anti-Neospora spp. and anti-T. gondii antibodies using two common diagnostic techniques: Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), both focused on identifying antibodies which the animal’s immune system would produce in response to the parasite infection.

Results

  • The findings showed that antibodies against Neospora spp. were present in 10.67% of horses (as per IFAT) and 17.65% of horses (as per ELISA). Meanwhile, the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies was lower, appearing in 8.42% of the horses (according to IFAT) and 12.94% of horses (according to ELISA).
  • Notably, both tests indicated the presence of dual infection in some horses, with IFAT and ELISA recording double positivity in 1.23% and 2.67% of the samples, respectively. This suggests co-infection with both parasites.
  • The study also observed certain factors that could influence the seroprevalence of these parasites. The gender and age of the horses, along with the presence of dogs, appeared to affect the prevalence of neosporosis, while the age of the horses and the presence of cats seemed to influence the prevalence of toxoplasmosis. These correlations were statistically significant at the P<0.05 level.

Conclusion

  • The findings emphasize the need for stringent regulatory measures to prevent and control the spread of Neospora spp. and T. gondii among horse populations to ensure their well-being and contribute to public health measures. In the presence of these influential factors, efforts should be directed towards reducing the risk of their spread.

Cite This Article

APA
Shams F, Jokar M, Abdous A, Mohammadi P, Abbassioun A, Seuberlich T, Rahmanian V. (2024). Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in horse population of Tehran, Iran. Sci Rep, 14(1), 17054. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61999-z

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Pages: 17054
PII: 17054

Researcher Affiliations

Shams, Farzane
  • Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Vetsuisse, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
  • Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Jokar, Mohammad
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
Abdous, Arman
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
Mohammadi, Pardis
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
Abbassioun, Aryan
  • Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.
Seuberlich, Torsten
  • Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, Vetsuisse, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. torsten.seuberlich@unibe.ch.
  • Division of Neurological Sciences, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. torsten.seuberlich@unibe.ch.
Rahmanian, Vahid
  • Department of Public Health, Torbat Jam Faculty of Medical Sciences, Torbat Jam, Iran.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Toxoplasma / immunology
  • Neospora / immunology
  • Iran / epidemiology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / epidemiology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / parasitology
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / blood
  • Toxoplasmosis, Animal / immunology
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Coccidiosis / epidemiology
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary
  • Coccidiosis / blood
  • Male
  • Female
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

References

This article includes 32 references
  1. Dubey JP, Hemphill A, Calero-Bernal R, Schares G. Neosporosis in animals. .
    doi: 10.1201/9781315152561google scholar: lookup
  2. Kimble KM. Systemic toxoplasmosis in a horse. J. Comp. Pathol. 182, 27–31 (2021).
    doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2020.11.004pubmed: 33494904google scholar: lookup
  3. Dubey JP. Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii infections in horses and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM): Five decades of personal experience, perspectives and update. Parasitology 149, 717–728 (2022).
    doi: 10.1017/S0031182021002055pubmed: 35260209google scholar: lookup
  4. Shams F, Jokar M, Abdous A, Moghadam MF, Arfaee F. Serological survey and risk factors of Neospora caninum infection in dog population of Qom, Central Iran. Iran J. Parasitol. 17, 440 (2022).
    pmc: PMC9682386pubmed: 36466022
  5. Nazari N. Systematic review and meta-analysis of role of felids as intermediate hosts in the life cycle of neospora caninum based on serological data. Acta Parasitol. 68, 266–276 (2023).
    doi: 10.1007/s11686-023-00661-6pubmed: 36710305google scholar: lookup
  6. Abdous A. Risk factors of canine neosporosis in Iran: A meta-analysis study. J. Vet. Parasitol. 35, 16–24 (2021).
    doi: 10.5958/0974-0813.2021.00003.6google scholar: lookup
  7. Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Calero-Bernal R, Dubey JP, Gennari SM. All about neosporosis in Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária 26, 253–279 (2017).
    doi: 10.1590/s1984-29612017045pubmed: 28876360google scholar: lookup
  8. Jokar M. The global seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in deer: A systematic review and meta-analysis study. Small Ruminant Res. 214, 106745 (2022).
    doi: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2022.106745google scholar: lookup
  9. Waap H, Volkart de Oliveira U, Nunes T, Gomes J, Gomes T, Bärwald A. Serological survey of Neospora spp. and Besnoitia spp. in horses in Portugal. Vet. Parasitol. Reg. Stud. Rep. 20, 100391 (2020).
    pubmed: 32448546doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100391google scholar: lookup
  10. Miller CM, Boulter NR, Ikin RJ, Smith NC. The immunobiology of the innate response to Toxoplasma gondii. Int. J. Parasitol. 39, 23–39 (2009).
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.08.002pubmed: 18775432google scholar: lookup
  11. Masatani T, Takashima Y, Takasu M, Matsuu A, Amaya T. Prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody in domestic horses in Japan. Parasitol. Int. 65, 146–150 (2016).
    doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2015.11.006pubmed: 26593178google scholar: lookup
  12. Li X. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in horses: A global systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Trop. 201, 105222 (2020).
    doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105222pubmed: 31639325google scholar: lookup
  13. Teimouri A, Goudarzi F, Goudarzi K, Alimi R, Sahebi K, Foroozand H. Toxoplasma gondii infection in immunocompromised patients in Iran (2013–2022): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Iran J. Parasitol. 17, 443–57 (2022).
    pmc: PMC9825698pubmed: 36694563doi: 10.18502/ijpa.v17i4.11271google scholar: lookup
  14. Cazarotto CJ. Horses seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis spp. and Neospora spp.: Possible risk factors for infection in Brazil. Microb. Pathog. 99, 30–35 (2016).
    doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2016.07.016pubmed: 27475033google scholar: lookup
  15. Cano-Terriza D. Seroepidemiological study of Toxoplasma gondii in equids in different European countries. Zoonoses Public Health (2023).
    doi: 10.1111/zph.13026pubmed: 36688475google scholar: lookup
  16. Gharekhani J, Yakhchali M, Berahmat R. Neospora caninum infection in Iran (2004–2020): A review. J. Parasitic Diseases 44, 671–686 (2020).
    doi: 10.1007/s12639-020-01266-wpmc: PMC7481549pubmed: 32929312google scholar: lookup
  17. Tavalla M, Sabaghan M, Abdizadeh R, Khademvatan S, Rafiei A, Piranshahi AR. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. infections in Arab horses, southwest of Iran. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2015;8.
    pmc: PMC4377174pubmed: 25834714
  18. Raeghi S, Akaberi A, Sedeghi S. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep, cattle and horses in Urmia North-West of Iran. Iran J. Parasitol. 6, 90 (2011).
    pmc: PMC3279903pubmed: 22347318
  19. Gharekhani J, Gerami-Sadeghian A, Tavoosidana G, Sohrabei AS. Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs and domestic equine from western Iran. Comp. Clin. Path 24, 255–258 (2015).
    doi: 10.1007/s00580-014-1885-ygoogle scholar: lookup
  20. Asgari Q. Toxoplasma infection in farm animals: A seroepidemiological survey in Fars Province, south of Iran. Jundishapur J. Microbiol. 6, 269–272 (2013).
  21. Javanmardi E, Majidiani H, Shariatzadeh SA, Anvari D, Shamsinia S, Ghasemi E. Global seroprevalence of Neospora spp. in horses and donkeys: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vet. Parasitol. 288, 109299 (2020).
    pubmed: 33227673doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109299google scholar: lookup
  22. Jokar M. Neospora caninum infection in cattle and dogs in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am. J. Anim. Vet. Sci. 16, 23–38 (2021).
    doi: 10.3844/ajavsp.2021.23.38google scholar: lookup
  23. Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH. Toxoplasma gondii infections in horses, donkeys, and other equids: The last decade. Res. Vet. Sci. 132, 492–499 (2020).
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.07.005pubmed: 32799174google scholar: lookup
  24. Aharonson-Raz K. Low seroprevalence of leishmania infantum and toxoplasma gondii in the horse population in Israel. Vector-Borne Zoonotic Diseases 15, 726–731 (2015).
    doi: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1826pubmed: 26580094google scholar: lookup
  25. Mimoun L. Neospora spp. seroprevalence and risk factors for seropositivity in apparently healthy horses and pregnant mares. Animals 12, 2699 (2022).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12192699pmc: PMC9558976pubmed: 36230440google scholar: lookup
  26. Alshammari A, Gattan HS, Marzok M, Selim A. Seroprevalence and risk factors for Neospora spp. infection in equine in Egypt. Sci. Rep. 13, 20242 (2023).
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-47601-ypmc: PMC10658168pubmed: 37981658google scholar: lookup
  27. Moreira TR. Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in equids of Western Pará Brazil. Acta Trop. 189, 39–45 (2019).
    doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.09.023pubmed: 30267659google scholar: lookup
  28. Pruvot M, Hutchins W, Orsel K. Statistical evaluation of a commercial Neospora caninum competitive ELISA in the absence of a gold standard: Application to wild elk (Cervus elaphus) in Alberta. Parasitol. Res. 113, 2899–2905 (2014).
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-014-3951-4pubmed: 24861013google scholar: lookup
  29. Bártová E. Seroprevalence of antibodies of Neospora spp and Toxoplasma gondii in horses from southern Italy. Folia. Parasitol. Praha. 62, 1 (2015).
    pubmed: 26278845
  30. Nazir MM. Prevalence and risk factors for IgG antibodies to Neospora spp in three types of equids from Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Acta Trop. 188, 240–243 (2018).
    doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.09.007pubmed: 30219554google scholar: lookup
  31. Team RC. R: A language and environment for statistical computing. 2013.
  32. Stevenson M, Nunes T, Sanchez J, Thornton R, Reiczigel J, Robison-Cox J. epiR: An R package for the analysis of epidemiological data. R package version 0.9-48. Vienna, Austria: R Foundation for Statistical Computing 2013.

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,001 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.