The importance of vertical transmission of Neospora sp. in naturally infected horses.

This study investigates the transmission of Neospora, a potentially harmful intracellular protozoan, from infected horses to their offspring during pregnancy, indicating that transplacental transmission is a significant source of infection in foals.

Introduction and Methodology

• The research focuses on Neospora spp., a protozoan closely related to Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis neurona. This protozoan can infect horses and cause reproductive or neurological diseases.
• In this study, researchers analyzed the presence of Neospora antibodies in mares during delivery and determined the prevalence of vertical (transplacental) transmission to healthy foals. The samples were analyzed using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test.

Findings

• The analysis revealed that the seroprevalence (the level of a pathogen in a population, as measured in blood serum) of Neospora is higher in mares than in foals. This suggests that infection occurs more frequently in adult horses.
• The results also show that seropositive mares, those who tested positive for the presence of Neospora antibodies, are more likely to pass on the infection to their offspring through transplacental transmission.

Implications

• These findings reveal that vertical transmission of Neospora spp. is a significant source of infection amongst horses. This essentially means that the protozoan can be passed from an infected mare to her offspring during pregnancy.
• This suggests that endogenous challenge (internal exposure to pathogens) occurs within horses, pointing towards the need to develop targeted interventions to curb the spread.
• It also emphasises the importance of monitoring and treating infected mares to prevent the transmission of Neospora to future generations, thereby controlling its spread within the horse population.