1
|
Ferreira RF, Dittrich RL, Zimmermann IB, Ljubic BB, Mrljak V, Eckersall PD. Differential acute-phase protein responses in dogs seropositive or seronegative for Neospora caninum. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3529-3535. [PMID: 34427786 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07277-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is one of the most prevalent Apicomplexa parasites that causes abortion in cattle, as it infects dogs as its definitive host, causing subclinical disease or active neosporosis, marked by meningoencephalitis, and myopathies with muscle and neuromuscular signs of disease. This study aimed to evaluate the acute phase protein response in dogs seropositive and seronegative for N. caninum. Serum samples of 72 dogs were tested by an immunofluorescence antibody test using N. caninum NC-1 strain, and the study population was divided into four groups: symptomatic - muscular and/or neuromuscular signs - and seropositive (n = 16); symptomatic and seronegative (n = 9); asymptomatic and seropositive (n = 34); and asymptomatic and seronegative (n = 13). C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured via immunoturbidimetric assay and serum haptoglobin (Hp) via hemoglobin-binding capacity assay. In the symptomatic groups, seropositive dogs had higher levels of Hp, but not CRP, while seronegative dogs had higher CRP levels. There was no difference in CRP concentration in asymptomatic dogs. Dogs with neuromuscular signs had higher concentrations for Hp in the group seropositive. Hp concentration did not differ between dogs seropositive and seronegative dogs for each group. Serum Hp and CRP could not sufficiently alone flag subclinical infections. Measurement of CRP and Hp concentrations could be clinically valuable to the diagnosis of neurological diseases, and their relative change may indicate the stage of the infection, although their sole use is not able to support the diagnosis of canine neosporosis. Further studies are encouraged to evaluate the specific dynamics of acute phase proteins in canine neosporosis. Serum samples of 72 dogs were tested by an immunofluorescence antibody test using N. caninum NC-1 strain, and the study population was divided into four groups: (1) dogs with muscular and/or neuromuscular signs and seropositive for N. caninum; (2) dogs with muscular and/or neuromuscular signs and seronegative for N. caninum; (3) dogs seropositive for N. caninum with no neuromuscular signs; and (4) healthy dogs and seronegative for N. caninum. The study evaluated if N. caninum infection could have pathophysiological changes activating the acute phase response and an increase in the concentration of acute phase proteins in serum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela Furioso Ferreira
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | - Vladimir Mrljak
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Peter David Eckersall
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Microsatellite genotyping reveals extensive genetic diversity in bovine Neospora caninum from the humid Pampa region in Argentina. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:4049-4059. [PMID: 33057815 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06922-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan protozoan and a major cause of abortion in cattle worldwide. In the Argentinian Humid Pampa, bovine neosporosis causes severe economic losses. Despite this, information on the genetic structure of N. caninum in this region is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to genetically characterize N. caninum isolates associated with bovine abortion in the Humid Pampa region. For this purpose, spontaneous bovine fetal tissues submitted for diagnosis to the Veterinary Diagnostic Service at INTA Balcarce during 2008-2019 were assessed by PCR, indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), and histologic analysis. PCR-positive samples were tested by multilocus microsatellite genotyping (MLGs) using 9 microsatellite markers. Thirty-one different genotypes were identified from 32 samples with at least seven markers. Argentinian MLGs were grouped into two clonal clusters when analyzed using eBURST network and principal coordinate analysis. No segregation based on the year of collection, animal biotype, or geographic origin was observed. In addition, the presence of linkage disequilibrium supported the clonal propagation of Argentinian MLGs. One Argentinian subpopulation was associated with isolates from Spain, Uruguay, Brazil, and Mexico, and the other one was linked to isolates from Scotland, Spain, and Germany. These findings reveal the presence of two clonal subpopulations of N. caninum in the Humid Pampa.
Collapse
|
3
|
Toscan G, Cezar A, Bräunig P, Pereira G, Vargas A, Sangioni L, Gonçalves P, Vogel F. Neospora caninum DNA distribution in tissues of gerbils as experimental models of chronic neosporosis. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-11603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Neospora caninum is the main etiologic agent of neosporosis in domestic animals and its pathogenesis comprises two characteristic phases: acute and chronic. Rodents are used as experimental models to mimic acute and chronic bovine neosporosis. In this study, we inoculated a total of 27 female gerbils, with different doses of N. caninum tachyzoites aiming to induce chronic disease. DNA was extracted from different organs of each animal after spontaneous death or euthanasia. Encephalic tissues were submitted to a highly sensitive real time PCR aiming to detect chronically infected animals. All the other samples were submitted to standard PCR. A total of 11 gerbils died due to acute neosporosis, as confirmed by N. caninum DNA detection in organs. 5x103 tachyzoites/mL of N. caninum was the dosage of antigen that can induce chronic infection in gerbils. In the encephalon sections of some animals that showed clinical signs of persistent infection, we found 70% positive for the anterior encephalon section, suggesting this area as preferential for cyst formation. Therefore, we determined the doses of tachyzoites that cause acute or chronic infection and detection of positive tissues, preferably, systemic organs during acute and encephalon in chronic phases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G. Toscan
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - A.S. Cezar
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil; Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - P. Bräunig
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - P.B.D. Gonçalves
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Pampa, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Campero LM, Gual I, Dellarupe A, Schares G, Moré G, Moore DP, Venturini MC. Isolation of Neospora caninum from a beef cattle fetus from Argentina: Immunopathological and molecular studies. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 21:100438. [PMID: 32862902 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an important abortifacient agent affecting mainly cattle worldwide. The aim of the present work was to describe the histopathological findings in a naturally infected beef cow and its midterm fetus caused by a genetically defined N. caninum isolate in Argentina. A N. caninum seropositive multiparous Aberdeen Angus pregnant cow and its fetus in the sixth month of gestation were submitted for histopathological, immunohistochemical, serological, and molecular studies and parasite isolation. The cow belonged to a beef herd under extensive management, with a N. caninum seroprevalence of 11%, and low level of annual abortion rate (≤ 5%). The dam had mild lymphocytic infiltrate in CNS, heart and uterus and no parasites were detected by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). No parasitic DNA was detected in the dam's brain, and gamma interferon knockout mice inoculated with brain material did not become infected. Clusters of tachyzoites and parasitic DNA were detected in the placenta by IHC and PCR, respectively. However, isolation from the placenta was unsuccessful. The fetus developed specific antibodies and an inflammatory response was detected in multiple organs. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo isolation was achieved from gamma interferon knockout mice inoculated with CNS from the fetus. Multilocus-microsatellite typing revealed a genetically defined N. caninum isolate similar to the previously reported as MLG 72. We report the first N. caninum isolate from beef cattle in Argentina.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucía María Campero
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, 60 and 118 s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Ignacio Gual
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, National University of Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Andrea Dellarupe
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, 60 and 118 s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gereon Schares
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Gastón Moré
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, 60 and 118 s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dadín Prando Moore
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1033AAJ Buenos Aires, Argentina; Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, National University of Mar del Plata, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Venturini
- Immunoparasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, 60 and 118 s/n, 1900 La Plata, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fereig RM, Nishikawa Y. Urological detection of specific antibodies against Neospora caninum infection in mice: A prospect for novel diagnostic approach of Neospora. Exp Parasitol 2020; 216:107942. [PMID: 32598889 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The intracellular protozoan parasite Neospora caninum is incriminated to induce drastic economic losses in both livestock and pet animal industries. Neosporosis is primarily characterized by abortion in cattle and paralytic symptoms in dogs. Because there are no effective treatments or vaccines, diagnosis is critical for Neospora control. Thus, diversification of laboratory tests and specimens used for diagnosis of N. caninum is an essential scientific endeavor to judge and select the most appropriate diagnostic tool. Herein, we provide the first evidence for the utility of urine samples for demonstration of specific antibodies against N. caninum employing an experimentally infected murine model. Specific antibodies to recombinant N. caninum dense granule 7, surface antigen 1, and lysate antigen were assayed using different antibodies-based ELISAs. Urine based IgG ELISA efficiently discriminated between infected mice (acute or chronic infection), and those of non-infected mice. This effect was also noticed for IgG1 and IgG2a suggesting the utility of urine for assessment of T-helper 2- and T-helper 1-mediated immunities, respectively. In addition, reactivity of specific antibody in urine was also confirmed against parasites when indirect fluorescent antibody test was employed. Usefulness of urine as an additional clinical sample for Neospora diagnosis was confirmed via comparison with the relevant control non-infected and infected mouse sera as reference samples. Because of minimum invasiveness and ease of urine collection, this approach might offer new diagnostic opportunities for N. caninum either for the field or research purposes. However, further studies are required to extrapolate this preliminary study and results in the animal species of interest particularly in dogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ragab M Fereig
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan; Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena City, Qena, 83523, Egypt
| | - Yoshifumi Nishikawa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Cabrera A, Fresia P, Berná L, Silveira C, Macías-Rioseco M, Arevalo AP, Crispo M, Pritsch O, Riet-Correa F, Giannitti F, Francia ME, Robello C. Isolation and molecular characterization of four novel Neospora caninum strains. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:3535-3542. [PMID: 31701296 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06474-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum causes neosporosis, a leading cause of bovine abortion worldwide. Uruguay is a developing economy in South America that produces milk to feed seven times its population annually. Naturally, dairy production is paramount to the country's economy, and bovine reproductive failure impacts it profoundly. Recent studies demonstrated that the vast majority of infectious abortions in dairy cows are caused by N. caninum. To delve into the local situation and contextualize it within the international standing, we set out to characterize the Uruguayan N. caninum strains. For this, we isolated four distinct strains and determined by microsatellite typing that these represent three unique genetic lineages, distinct from those reported previously in the region or elsewhere. An unbiased analysis of the current worldwide genetic diversity of N. caninum strains known, whereby six typing clusters can be resolved, revealed that three of the four Uruguayan strains group closely with regional strains from Argentina and Brazil. The remaining strain groups in an unrelated genetic cluster, suggesting multiple origins of the local strains. Microsatellite typing of N. caninum DNA from fetuses opportunistically collected from local dairy farms correlated more often with one of the isolates. Overall, our results contribute to further understanding of genetic diversity among strains of N. caninum both regionally and worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andres Cabrera
- Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Fresia
- Bioinformatics Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Luisa Berná
- Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Caroline Silveira
- Plataforma de Salud Animal, Estación Experimental INIA La Estanzuela, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Ruta 50 km 11, Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
| | - Melissa Macías-Rioseco
- Plataforma de Salud Animal, Estación Experimental INIA La Estanzuela, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Ruta 50 km 11, Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
| | - Ana Paula Arevalo
- Transgenic and Experimental Animal Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Martina Crispo
- Transgenic and Experimental Animal Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Otto Pritsch
- Immunovirology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Departamento de Inmunobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Franklin Riet-Correa
- Plataforma de Salud Animal, Estación Experimental INIA La Estanzuela, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Ruta 50 km 11, Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay
| | - Federico Giannitti
- Plataforma de Salud Animal, Estación Experimental INIA La Estanzuela, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Ruta 50 km 11, Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay.,Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | - Maria E Francia
- Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay. .,Laboratory of Apicomplexan Biology, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay. .,Departamento de Parasitologia y Micologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratory of Host Pathogen Interactions-UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay. .,Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| |
Collapse
|