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González-Barrio D, Köster PC, Habela MA, Martín-Pérez M, Fernández-García JL, Balseiro A, Barral M, Nájera F, Figueiredo AM, Palacios MJ, Mateo M, Carmena D, Álvarez-García G, Calero-Bernal R. Molecular survey of Besnoitia spp. (Apicomplexa) in faeces from European wild mesocarnivores in Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 68:3156-3166. [PMID: 34174029 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have unsuccessfully tried to unravel the definitive host of the coccidian parasite Besnoitia besnoiti. Cattle infections by B. besnoiti cause a chronic and debilitating condition called bovine besnoitiosis that has emerged in Europe during the last two decades, mainly due to limitations in its control associated with the absence of vaccines and therapeutical tools. Although the exact transmission pathways of B. besnoiti is currently unknown, it is assumed that the parasite might have an indirect life cycle with a carnivore as definitive host. Current lack of studies in wildlife might underestimate the importance of free-living species in the epidemiology of B. besnoiti. Thus, the aim of the present study is to assess the presence of Besnoitia spp. in free-ranging mesocarnivores in Spain. DNA was searched by PCR on faeces collected from wild carnivores as a first approach to determine which species could be considered as potential definitive host candidates in further research. For this purpose, a total of 352 faecal samples from 12 free-living wild carnivore species belonging to the Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Mustelidae, Procyonidae and Viverridae families were collected in seven Spanish regions. PCR testing showed that Besnoitia spp. DNA was present in four faecal samples from red foxes collected in western Spain, an area with the greatest density of extensively reared cattle and associated with high incidence of bovine besnoitiosis in the country. To date, this is the first report of a B. besnoiti-like sequence (99.57% homology) from carnivore faeces in a worldwide context. Red foxes might contribute to the epidemiology of B. besnoiti, although further studies, mostly based on bioassay, would be needed to elucidate the accuracy and extent of these interesting findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- David González-Barrio
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.,Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.,SaBio Working Group, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Habela
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Manuel Martín-Pérez
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Jose L Fernández-García
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, University of León, León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), Finca Marzanas, Grulleros, León, Spain
| | - Marta Barral
- NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Fernando Nájera
- Directorate-General for Environment, Regional Government of Extremadura, Mérida, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Ana M Figueiredo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.,Department of Bioscience & CEES, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria Jesus Palacios
- Directorate-General for Environment, Regional Government of Extremadura, Mérida, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Marta Mateo
- Veterinary Faculty, Alfonso X El Sabio University, Avenida Universidad 1, Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Meixner N, Sommer MF, Scuda N, Matiasek K, Müller M. Comparative aspects of laboratory testing for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii and its differentiation from Neospora caninum as the etiologic agent of ovine abortion. J Vet Diagn Invest 2020; 32:898-907. [PMID: 33025842 DOI: 10.1177/1040638720962110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Histologic examination of aborted material is an essential component in the diagnosis of ovine toxoplasmosis. However, the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in histologic sections, and its differentiation from the closely related protozoan Neospora caninum, is challenging. We developed a chromogenic in situ hybridization (ISH) assay for the identification of T. gondii in paraffin-embedded tissue samples. We examined retrospectively the archived placental tissue of 200 sheep abortion submissions for the presence of T. gondii by immunohistochemistry (IHC), ISH, and real-time PCR (rtPCR). All placental samples that tested positive for T. gondii by rtPCR (9 of 200) were also positive by IHC, with inconclusive IHC staining in an additional 7 rtPCR-negative cases. Further testing for N. caninum of all 200 placentas by rtPCR revealed 7 Neospora-positive cases. T. gondii ISH was positive in 4 of 9 IHC-positive samples and 1 of the 7 N. caninum rtPCR-positive samples. Real-time PCR was used as the reference standard for specificity and sensitivity calculations regarding placenta samples. Specificity of ISH and IHC was 99% and 96-100%, respectively. The sensitivity of ISH (44%) was quite low compared to IHC (100%). The exclusive use of ISH for the detection of T. gondii, and thus for the diagnosis of ovine toxoplasmosis, was not acceptable. However, combined with rtPCR, both ISH and IHC can be useful detection methods to improve histologic evaluation by visualizing the parasite within tissue sections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Meixner
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marie F Sommer
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nelly Scuda
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kaspar Matiasek
- Section of Clinical and Comparative Neuropathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Müller
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Erlangen, Germany
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Mazuz ML, Alvarez-García G, King R, Savisky I, Shkap V, Ortega-Mora LM, Gutiérrez-Expósito D. Exposure to Neospora spp. and Besnoitia spp. in wildlife from Israel. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2018; 7:317-321. [PMID: 30175044 PMCID: PMC6115540 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Neosporosis and besnoitiosis, caused by cyst-forming protozoa Neospora caninum and Besnoitia besnoiti, respectively, are parasitic infestations of livestock in Israel. These parasites cause significant economic losses in cattle due to reproductive and productive disorders. Both parasites have been detected in several wild ruminant species throughout other regions of the world, while the existence of a sylvatic life cycle in Israel remains uncertain. Thus, a wide panel of 871 sera from two wild carnivores and nine wild ruminant species were tested. All sera were first analysed by MAT for an initial screening and positive samples were confirmed a posteriori by Western blot. Additionally, a complementary IFAT was used for the detection of antibodies against N. caninum. Neospora antibodies were present in six out of the 11 species investigated, whereas Besnoitia antibodies were undetected. Golden jackal, red fox, addax, Arabian oryx, Persian fallow deer, mouflon, mountain gazelle, Nubian ibex, scimitar horned oryx and water buffalo were seropositive against N. caninum infection by IFAT and/or MAT. Moreover, the presence of Neospora spp.-specific antibodies was confirmed by Western blot in golden jackal (6/189; 3.2%), red fox (1/75; 1.3%), Persian fallow deer (13/232; 5.6%), mouflon (1/15; 16.7%), Nubian ibex (22/55; 40%) and water buffalo (12/18; 66.7%). Addax (1/49) and water buffalo (1/18) were MAT-seropositive against B. besnoiti but were seronegative by Western blot. Hence, Neospora sylvatic cycle is present in Israel and may cross over to a domestic life cycle. In contrast, wildlife species investigated are unlikely to present a risk of transmitting Besnoitia to livestock in Israel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica L Mazuz
- Parasitology Division, Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
| | - Gema Alvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roni King
- Science Division, Israel Nature & Parks Authority, 3 Am Ve´Olamo St, Jerusalem, 9546303, Israel
| | - Igor Savisky
- Parasitology Division, Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
| | - Varda Shkap
- Parasitology Division, Kimron Veterinary Institute, PO Box 12, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
| | - Luis M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Gutiérrez-Expósito
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Gutiérrez-Expósito D, Ferre I, Ortega-Mora LM, Álvarez-García G. Advances in the diagnosis of bovine besnoitiosis: current options and applications for control. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:737-751. [PMID: 28893637 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis, which is caused by the tissue cyst-forming intracellular parasite Besnoitia besnoiti, is a chronic and debilitating disease that is responsible for severe economic losses in the cattle raised under extensive husbandry systems. The absence of vaccines, treatments or a health scheme at local, national and international levels has led to a rapid spread of bovine besnoitiosis from western Europe towards eastern countries and northwards. Moreover, this parasitic disease is widely present in many sub-Saharan countries. Thus, bovine besnoitiosis should be included in the animal health scheme of beef cattle herds. Accurate diagnostic tools and common diagnostic procedures are mandatory in any control programme. Relevant advances have been made in this field during the last decade. Succeeding with accurate diagnosis relies on the technique employed and the antibody and parasite kinetics of the infection stage, which may notably influence control programmes and surveillance. Moreover, control programmes should be adapted to the epidemiological status of the disease, as the disease presentation in a herd has important implications for prospective control. Herein, we review the clinical disease presentation of bovine besnoitiosis and the correlation between its clinical course and laboratory parameters. We also provide an update on the available diagnostic tools, discuss their strengths and pitfalls, and provide guidelines for their use in control, surveillance and epidemiological studies. A rational control strategy is also recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gutiérrez-Expósito
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Ferre
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Gutiérrez-Expósito D, García-Bocanegra I, Howe DK, Arenas-Montes A, Yeargan MR, Ness SL, Ortega-Mora LM, Álvarez-García G. A serosurvey of selected cystogenic coccidia in Spanish equids: first detection of anti-Besnoitia spp. specific antibodies in Europe. BMC Vet Res 2017; 13:128. [PMID: 28490374 PMCID: PMC5424396 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1046-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Equine besnoitiosis, caused by Besnoitia bennetti, and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), caused by Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi are relevant equine diseases in the Americas that have been scarcely studied in Europe. Thus, a serosurvey of these cystogenic coccidia was carried out in Southern Spain. A cross-sectional study was performed and serum samples from horses (n = 553), donkeys (n = 85) and mules (n = 83) were included. An in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to identify a Besnoitia spp. infection and positive results were confirmed by an a posteriori western blot. For Neospora spp. and Sarcocystis spp., infections were detected using in-house ELISAs based on the parasite surface antigens N. hughesi rNhSAG1 and S. neurona rSnSAG2/3/4. Risk factors associated with these protozoan infections were also investigated. Results Antibodies against Besnoitia spp., Neospora spp. and Sarcocystis spp. infections were detected in 51 (7.1%), 46 (6.4%) and 20 (2.8%) of 721 equids, respectively. The principal risk factors associated with a higher seroprevalence of Besnoitia spp. were the host species (mule or donkey), the absence of shelter and the absence of a rodent control programme. The presence of rodents was the only risk factor for Neospora spp. infection. Conclusions This study was the first extensive serosurvey of Besnoitia spp. infection in European equids accomplished by two complementary tests and gives evidence of the presence of specific antibodies in these populations. However, the origin of the infection is still unclear. Further parasite detection and molecular genotyping are needed to identify the causative Besnoitia and Neospora species. Finally, cross-reactions with antibodies directed against other species of Sarcocystis might explain the positive reactions against the S. neurona antigens. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-017-1046-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gutiérrez-Expósito
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Cordoba, Spain
| | - Daniel K Howe
- Department of Veterinary Science, M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546-0099, USA
| | - Antonio Arenas-Montes
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Cordoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Cordoba, Spain
| | - Michelle R Yeargan
- Department of Veterinary Science, M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40546-0099, USA
| | - SallyAnne L Ness
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Box 52, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Luis M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - G Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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