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Yeni DK, Balevi A, Ashraf A, Shah MS, Büyük F. Molecular detection of bacterial zoonotic abortive agents from ruminants in Turkey. Braz J Microbiol 2024; 55:1997-2004. [PMID: 38468116 PMCID: PMC11153383 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01300-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Abortions in cattle and sheep are one of the major causes of economic losses worldwide. Brucella spp. are the most common infectious agent associated with these abortions. However, abortions caused by bacteria such as Listeria spp., Leptospira spp., Campylobacter spp. and Mycoplasma spp. are usually overlooked due to their sporadic nature and their status as non-priority abortion agents. In our study, we investigated the bacteria associated with abortion cases in cattle and sheep using PCR. For this purpose, we collected vaginal swab samples (n: 110) of aborted cattle and sheep, as well as stomach content samples (n: 69) of aborted calves and lambs from various cities in Turkey. The samples were analysed by bacteria-specific PCR to detect Campylobacter fetus, Leptospira spp., Listeria spp., Mycoplasma spp., and Yersinia spp. PCR analyses revealed that the investigated bacterial agents were present in 18.85% and 19.3% of the cattle and sheep samples, respectively, with an overall percentage of 18.99%. While the overall positivity rate for C. fetus, Leptospira spp., and Mycoplasma spp. was 2.79%, 10.06%, and 4.47%, respectively, the positivity rate for co-infection with Leptospira spp. and C. fetus was 1.68%. All samples were found to be negative for Yersinia spp. and Listeria spp. The high C. fetus positivity rate detected in sheep and in the stomach contents was statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, the difference in positivity rates between the cities, hosts, co-infections and causative agents was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). This study provides preliminary data on the significant involvement of C. fetus, Leptospira spp. and Mycoplasma spp. in cattle and sheep abortions in Turkey indicating that they should not be overlooked in diagnosis. In addition, further research is needed to investigate the zoonotic potential of these pathogens for public health in Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derya Karataş Yeni
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Aslı Balevi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Asma Ashraf
- Department of Zoology, GC University, Allama Iqbal Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - MSalahuddin Shah
- Animal Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Fatih Büyük
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey
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Tang Z, Li H, Xie S, Zhao S, Zhang S, Wang H, Li N, Zhang X, Zhao F, Jia L. A preliminary study on placental damage associated to experimental neosporosis in BALB/c mice. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:781-788. [PMID: 36596902 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07771-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite which can infect a range of animals, including dogs, cattle, and sheep. Bovine neosporosis, which mainly causes abortion in cattle, results in substantial economic losses worldwide. To study the effects of N. caninum infection on the placenta, a pregnant mouse model for N. caninum infection was established. The litter size (8.6 ± 1.5) and the number of live pups (6.4 ± 1.8) of infected dams were significantly lower compared with those of non-infected dams. Trophoblast cell shrinkage and a large number of apoptosomes were detected in the placentas of the infected group. The parasite load in the placental tissue was significantly higher with time after infection. Likewise, apoptosis of placental trophoblast cells significantly increased with time after infection. Among the 66 apoptotic genes detected in this study, eight genes, including Bcl-2, were significantly differentially expressed by about > tenfold in infected and uninfected mice. The expression of BAX and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was upregulated in the placental cells of the infected mice, whereas the expression of BCL-2 was downregulated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) showed that apoptotic protease caspase-3 level was significantly increased in placental cell suspension, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-2 level was significantly reduced. Acetylcholine (ACH) and placental prolactin (PL) levels were initially decreased but eventually increased. In summary, infection of mice with N. caninum caused apoptotic damage to the placental tissues, cells, and genes and affected the normal physiological functions of placenta, which may largely explain the adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by N. caninum infection in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Tang
- Engineering Research Center of North-East Cold Region Beef Cattle Science & Technology Innovation, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, No.977 Park Road, Yanji, 133002, People's Republic of China
| | - Hang Li
- Engineering Research Center of North-East Cold Region Beef Cattle Science & Technology Innovation, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, No.977 Park Road, Yanji, 133002, People's Republic of China.,National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture Veterinary Medicine, Inada-Cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido, 080-8555, Japan
| | - Suzhu Xie
- Engineering Research Center of North-East Cold Region Beef Cattle Science & Technology Innovation, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, No.977 Park Road, Yanji, 133002, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaowei Zhao
- Engineering Research Center of North-East Cold Region Beef Cattle Science & Technology Innovation, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, No.977 Park Road, Yanji, 133002, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of North-East Cold Region Beef Cattle Science & Technology Innovation, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, No.977 Park Road, Yanji, 133002, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Wang
- Engineering Research Center of North-East Cold Region Beef Cattle Science & Technology Innovation, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, No.977 Park Road, Yanji, 133002, People's Republic of China
| | - Nanli Li
- Engineering Research Center of North-East Cold Region Beef Cattle Science & Technology Innovation, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, No.977 Park Road, Yanji, 133002, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuancheng Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of North-East Cold Region Beef Cattle Science & Technology Innovation, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, No.977 Park Road, Yanji, 133002, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanglin Zhao
- Engineering Research Center of North-East Cold Region Beef Cattle Science & Technology Innovation, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, No.977 Park Road, Yanji, 133002, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijun Jia
- Engineering Research Center of North-East Cold Region Beef Cattle Science & Technology Innovation, Ministry of Education, Yanbian University, No.977 Park Road, Yanji, 133002, People's Republic of China.
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Benavides J, González-Warleta M, Arteche-Villasol N, Pérez V, Mezo M, Gutiérrez-Expósito D. Ovine Neosporosis: The Current Global Situation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162074. [PMID: 36009665 PMCID: PMC9405361 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This review summarizes the current global situation of Neospora caninum infection in sheep by referring to all of the available descriptions of natural ovine neosporosis to date, focusing on epidemiology, clinical signs, lesions, and diagnosis. The data suggest that ovine neosporosis is more prevalent than currently thought, that it has increased in the last few decades, and that it should now be considered in the differential diagnosis when investigating abortion in sheep. Abstract In the past 20 years, Neospora caninum infection in sheep has been reported in at least 31 countries worldwide from all sheep-rearing continents (Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania), and its role as an abortifacient agent is becoming more evident. Most studies of ovine neosporosis have focused on its epidemiology, based primarily on serological analysis, with only a few studies investigating the actual presence of the parasite by PCR and/or IHC. Individual seroprevalence rates were highly variable between countries, and even between regions within the same country, ranging from 0.0% to 67.4% positive. Furthermore, most of the studies were not directly comparable due to differences in experimental designs, sample sizes, husbandry systems, ecological factors, and serological tests (e.g., IFAT, ELISA, MAT, Western blot). The latter, along with the scarcity of studies on the relevance of N. caninum as an abortifacient agent, may bias the perception of the importance of this disease. This review summarizes the situation of N. caninum infection in sheep using all available published studies describing natural ovine neosporosis. The epidemiology shows that ovine neosporosis is found worldwide, and it poses a relevant risk to the sustainability of sheep flocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Benavides
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-University of Leon, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
| | - Marta González-Warleta
- Centro de Investigaciones Agrarias de Mabegondo, Parasitology Laboratory, Axencia Galega da Calidade Alimentaria (AGACAL)-Xunta de Galicia, Ctra, Betanzos a Mesón do Vento km 7, Abegondo, 15318 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Noive Arteche-Villasol
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-University of Leon, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Valentín Pérez
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-University of Leon, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Mercedes Mezo
- Centro de Investigaciones Agrarias de Mabegondo, Parasitology Laboratory, Axencia Galega da Calidade Alimentaria (AGACAL)-Xunta de Galicia, Ctra, Betanzos a Mesón do Vento km 7, Abegondo, 15318 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Daniel Gutiérrez-Expósito
- Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-University of Leon, Grulleros, 24346 León, Spain
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Leon, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071 León, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Mendoza-Morales LF, Lagorio V, Corigliano MG, Sánchez-López E, Ramos-Duarte VA, Clemente M, Sander VA. Neosporosis in sheep: a systematic review and meta-analysis of global seroprevalence and related risk factors. Acta Trop 2022; 233:106569. [PMID: 35752203 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Neosporosis is recognized as the main cause of abortions in cattle worldwide and there is an increasing concern about its role in ovine reproductive losses; however, epidemiological studies regarding neosporosis in sheep are still limited. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the global pooled seroprevalence and associated risk factors of ovine neosporosis. In the current report, a comprehensive strategy of search and data collection from 7 worldwide databases was performed. A final set of 73 studies (80 datasets) published from 2000 to 2021 were selected based on inclusion criteria, comprising data on 35,740 sheep (corresponding to 37,565 evaluated samples) from 30 countries worldwide. The global pooled seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in sheep estimated by the random-effects model was 13% (95% CI, 10-15) and showed high heterogeneity (Q = 5147.15, I2 = 98%, p< 0.001). Furthermore, by meta-analyses of subgroups it was demonstrated for the first time that seroprevalence significantly varied between continents (highest in Africa; 20%, 95% CI, 4-44), WHO regions (highest in African Region; 42%, 95% CI, 36-48), countries (highest in Colombia; 79%, 95% CI, 61-92%) and diagnostic methods (highest by IFAT; 17%, 95% CI, 12-23). Meta-regression indicated significant increasing trends in the prevalence of ovine neosporosis with decrease in geographical latitude (coefficient = -0.013; p<0.001), whereas longitude did not influence it (coefficient = -0.001; p=0.365). Regarding associated risk factors, older sheep were more likely to be infected with N. caninum than younger ones (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.08-1.87), and sheep bred under intensive or semi-intensive systems resulted less susceptible to be seropositive than those bred under extensive system (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.42-0.99 and OR 0.74; 95% CI 0.62-0.89, respectively). Conversely, no apparent association was found between seroprevalence and other variables, such as sex (OR 1.06; 95% CI 0.9-1.24), the presence of dogs on the farm (OR 1.15; 95% CI 0.63-2.12) or the presence of abortion (OR 1.80; 95% CI 0.87-3.74). In conclusion, the seroprevalence of ovine neosporosis is widely and heterogeneously distributed throughout the world, and it is negatively associated with increasing geographical latitude. In addition, age and extensive production system represent risk factors, which suggest that the horizontal transmission route is relevant for this host species. It is recommended to pay more attention to this disease and emphasize the global need for more indexed studies concerning the seroprevalence and risk factors of ovine neosporosis to better understand the epidemiology of this coccidian infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa F Mendoza-Morales
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, Intendente Marino Km 8,2; CC 164 (B7130IWA), Chascomús, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valentina Lagorio
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, Intendente Marino Km 8,2; CC 164 (B7130IWA), Chascomús, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana G Corigliano
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, Intendente Marino Km 8,2; CC 164 (B7130IWA), Chascomús, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Edwin Sánchez-López
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, Intendente Marino Km 8,2; CC 164 (B7130IWA), Chascomús, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Víctor A Ramos-Duarte
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, Intendente Marino Km 8,2; CC 164 (B7130IWA), Chascomús, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marina Clemente
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, Intendente Marino Km 8,2; CC 164 (B7130IWA), Chascomús, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria A Sander
- Laboratorio de Molecular Farming y Vacunas, Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, Intendente Marino Km 8,2; CC 164 (B7130IWA), Chascomús, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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5
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Nayeri T, Moosazadeh M, Sarvi S, Daryani A. Neospora caninum infection in aborting bovines and lost fetuses: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268903. [PMID: 35604902 PMCID: PMC9126370 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Neospora caninum (N. caninum) is known to be a major cause of reproductive failure in cattle herds around the world. Therefore, the current comprehensive study was performed to estimate the global prevalence of N. caninum infection in bovines that had an abortion and aborted fetuses.
Methods
In this study, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest databases were systematically searched for relevant studies up until November 4, 2021. Pooled prevalence and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using a random effect model. Other analyzes performed on the data of this study include sensitivity analysis, publication bias test, and quality assessment.
Results
The final analyses included 71 studies conducted on 2965 abortive cattle and 4805 aborted fetuses. The overall prevalence rates of N. caninum infection in bovines that had an abortion were 47% and 1% using serological and molecular methods. Furthermore, overall prevalence rates of N. caninum infection in bovine aborted fetuses globally were 35% (95% CI: 8%–62%) and 43% (95% CI: 35%–52%) using serological and molecular methods.
Conclusions
The results of this study showed the high prevalence of N. caninum infection in bovines that had an abortion and aborted fetuses. It is hoped that the results of this study will help prevent abortion in bovines around the world and encourage further studies to determine the impact of this parasite on the occurrence of abortion that may help reduce the economic damage caused by abortion worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tooran Nayeri
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahmood Moosazadeh
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- * E-mail:
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6
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Nayeri T, Sarvi S, Moosazadeh M, Daryani A. The Global Prevalence of Neospora caninum Infection in Sheep and Goats That Had an Abortion and Aborted Fetuses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:870904. [PMID: 35558895 PMCID: PMC9090472 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.870904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum (N. caninum) can be a potential factor causing a significant rate of miscarriages in small ruminants (sheep and goats) worldwide. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the global status of N. caninum in sheep and goats that had an abortion and aborted fetuses. Five English databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest) were searched for relevant scientific articles published from their inception until November 4, 2021. Finally, 21 studies conducted on sheep (1,671 aborted fetuses and 935 abortive sheep) and 10 studies on goats (130 aborted fetuses and 80 abortive goats) were included for the final meta-analysis. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Moreover, sensitivity analysis, publication bias test, and quality assessment were performed in this study. The pooled prevalence of N. caninum in aborted fetuses of sheep and goats globally was estimated to be 15% (95% CI: 9-21%) and 7% (95% CI: 2-12%) using molecular methods. Besides, the seroprevalence of N. caninum was estimated to be 17% for aborted fetuses of sheep. The overall prevalence rate of N. caninum infection in sheep that had an abortion was 3%. The present results show a relatively high prevalence of N. caninum infection in sheep that had an abortion and aborted fetuses compared to goats. Therefore, further studies using different diagnostic techniques to more accurately estimate the rate of infection in sheep and goats may help provide adequate control measures and strategies to reduce the rate of abortion in sheep and goats and reduce economic damage to the livestock industry. This study was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; code: CRD42020216694).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tooran Nayeri
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shahabeddin Sarvi
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mahmood Moosazadeh
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Ahmad Daryani
- Toxoplasmosis Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Della Rosa P, Fiorentino MA, Morrell EL, Scioli MV, Paolicchi FA, Moore DP, Cantón GJ, Hecker YP. Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii as causes of reproductive losses in commercial sheep flocks from Argentina. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2022; 1:100057. [PMID: 35284874 PMCID: PMC8906136 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to provide preliminary data about the occurrence of Neospora caninum- and Toxoplasma gondii-related abortions and perinatal deaths in sheep from Argentina. Thirty ovine aborted foetuses and 33 perinatal deaths were submitted to the Veterinary Diagnostic Service at INTA EEA Balcarce (Argentina) during 2017–2019. A complete necropsy was performed on all specimens submitted, and foetal and placental tissues were examined. Foetal cavity fluids were collected for assessment of antibodies to N. caninum and T. gondii by indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFAT). Placental and foetal tissue samples were collected for DNA extraction and histopathological analysis. The differential diagnosis with other causes of abortion was carried out. Of the sampled specimens, 20.63% (13/63) displayed evidence for N. caninum infection by IFAT and PCR, and in 61.5% (8/13) of the positive specimens the parasite was confirmed as the cause of abortion/perinatal death based on the presence of compatible histological lesions and/or positive immunohistochemistry test, positive PCR and/or positive IFAT, and no other infectious agents diagnosed. In contrast, T. gondii infection was confirmed in 9.52% (6/63) of the analysed specimens, but only in 2 lambs T. gondii was determined as the death cause. Neosporacaninum and T. gondii co-infections were confirmed in 4 analysed specimens (2 aborted foetuses and 2 perinatal deaths). These results demonstrated that N. caninum is efficiently transmitted and a frequent cause of ovine reproductive failure in the commercial analysed flocks compared with T. gondii. Despite T. gondii congenital infection was detected in some specimens (6/63), it was confirmed as the cause of death in only two of them. Thus, and considering the limited availability of confirmed samples, we could not determine whether toxoplasmosis is a major problem in Argentinian sheep flocks or not. More studies on a greater number of specimens from different ovine production systems under different management conditions are necessary to assess the real impact of neosporosis and toxoplasmosis in Argentina. Neospora caninum congenital infection was found in 13 of the 63 analysed specimens. In 8 of these 13 cases, N. caninum was confirmed as the cause of abortion/perinatal death. Toxoplasma gondii was determined as the perinatal death cause in 2 lambs. Co-infections with N. caninum + T. gondii were only confirmed in 4 analysed specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Della Rosa
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), W3470, Mercedes, Argentina
| | - María A Fiorentino
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Eleonora L Morrell
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - María V Scioli
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | | | - Dadín P Moore
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), 7620, Balcarce, Argentina.,Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, Balcarce, 7620, Argentina
| | - Germán J Cantón
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), 7620, Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Yanina P Hecker
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), 7620, Balcarce, Argentina.,Institute of Innovation for Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development (IPADS Balcarce), INTA-CONICET, Balcarce, 7620, Argentina
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A Newly Discovered Dense Granule Protein 3 in Neospora caninum. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1581-1585. [PMID: 34019280 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00402-7] [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: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neospora caninum, an obligate intracellular parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa, typically causes an illness known as neosporosis. Dense granule proteins (GRAs) are secreted by apicomplexan and constitute the parasitophorous vacuoles (PVs) structure where tachyzoites proliferate after invasion into host cells. In Toxoplasma gondii, TgGRA3 proteins are strongly associated with PVs membrane and enhance its virulence in vivo, however, research on NcGRA3 has not been reported. METHODS Here, a novel NcGRA3 protein in N. caninum was discovered using bioinformatics analysis; the location of NcGRA3 was determined in the extracellular Nc-1 tachyzoites and intracellular PVs after invasion using immunofluorescence assays; the NcGRA3 protein existing form in the PVs membranes was analyzed using western blotting. RESULTS NcGRA3 shared 41.67% nucleotide homology and 22.17% amino acid homology with TgGRA3. Amino acid sequences ranging from 1 to 25 were signal peptide regions and 135-157 were transmembrane domains. The immunofluorescence assays showed that NcGRA3 was an apical organ secreted dense granule protein and expressed at the posterior end of tachyzoites; the partial co-localization with NcGRA6 in PVs demonstrated that NcGRA3 were expressed in the intravacuolar network structure and PVs membrane. The western blotting assays showed that NcGRA3 protein behaved as an integrated transmembrane protein in PVs. Overall, characterization of the newly discovered NcGRA3 protein will lay a foundation for its function research in the further.
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Dynamics of Neospora caninum-Associated Abortions in a Dairy Sheep Flock and Results of a Test-and-Cull Control Programme. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111518. [PMID: 34832673 PMCID: PMC8625302 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite that can cause abortions and perinatal mortality in sheep. Although ovine neosporosis has been described worldwide, there is a lack of information about the relationship between N. caninum serostatus and the reproductive performance. In this study, we described the infection dynamics in a dairy sheep flock with an abortion rate up to 25% and a N. caninum seroprevalence of 32%. Abortions were recorded in 36% and 9% of seropositive and seronegative sheep, respectively. Seropositive sheep were more likely to abort twice (OR = 4.44) or three or more times (OR = 10.13) than seronegative sheep. Endogenous transplacental transmission was the main route of transmission since 86% of seropositive sheep had seropositive offspring. Within dams that had any abortion, seropositive sheep were more likely than seronegative ones to have female descendants that aborted (OR = 8.12). The slight increase in seropositivity with the age, the low percentage of animals with postnatal seroconversion or with low avidity antibodies, and the seropositivity of one flock dog, indicated that horizontal transmission might have some relevance in this flock. A control programme based on selective culling of seropositive sheep and replacement with seronegative animals was effective in reducing the abortion rate to 7.2%.
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Mee JF, Jawor P, Stefaniak T. Role of Infection and Immunity in Bovine Perinatal Mortality: Part 1. Causes and Current Diagnostic Approaches. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1033. [PMID: 33917506 PMCID: PMC8067527 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
While non-infectious causes are more commonly diagnosed in cases of bovine perinatal mortality (PM), the proportion caused by infections is highly variable between studies (~5-35%); the reasons for this variation, and possible underestimation, are discussed. The most important pathogen-specific infectious causes of PM are bacteria (in particular, Bacillus licheniformis and Leptospira spp.), viruses (in particular BVDv) and a parasite (Neospora caninum). However, co-infection may occur in a small proportion of cases and in many cases no single pathogen is detected but gross or microscopic lesions of an inflammatory response are identified. Diagnosis is complicated by the criteria required to establish exposure, infection and causation. Additionally, pathogens can be classified as primary or secondary though such differentiation can be arbitrary. The majority of infectious cases of PM are due to in utero infections but postnatal infections (0-2 days) can also cause PM. Diagnosis of infectious PM is based on a systematic investigation of the herd health history and dam and cohort sampling and examination of the perinate and its placenta. Gross and histopathologic examinations and maternal/herd and perinate serology form the basis of current infectious PM investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F. Mee
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Teagasc, Moorepark Research Centre, P61 P302 Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland
| | - Paulina Jawor
- Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland; (P.J.); (T.S.)
| | - Tadeusz Stefaniak
- Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland; (P.J.); (T.S.)
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Duarte PO, Oshiro LM, Zimmermann NP, Csordas BG, Dourado DM, Barros JC, Andreotti R. Serological and molecular detection of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in human umbilical cord blood and placental tissue samples. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9043. [PMID: 32493968 PMCID: PMC7271125 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65991-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Neosporosis primarily affects cattle and dogs and is not currently considered a zoonotic disease. Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis with a worldwide distribution that is asymptomatic in most cases, but when acquired during pregnancy, it can have serious consequences. The seropositivity rates determined by the indirect fluorescent antibody test for Neospora caninum (N. caninum) and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) were 24.3% (49 samples) and 26.8% (54 samples), respectively. PCR positivity for N. caninum was observed in two samples of cord blood (1%) using the Nc5 and ITS1 gene, positivity for T. gondii was observed in 16 samples using the primer for the B1 gene (5.5% positivity in cord blood and 2.5% positivity in placental tissue). None of the samples showed structures characteristic of tissue cysts or inflammatory infiltrate on histopathology. Significant associations were observed only between N. caninum seropositivity and the presence of domestic animals (p = 0.039) and presence of dogs (p = 0.038) and between T. gondii seropositivity and basic sanitation (p = 0.04). This study obtained important findings regarding the seroprevalence and molecular detection of N. caninum and T. gondii in pregnant women; however, more studies are necessary to establish a correlation between risk factors and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pâmella Oliveira Duarte
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, MS, Brasil
| | - Leandra Marla Oshiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular do Carrapato, Departamento de Sanidade Animal, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil
| | - Namor Pinheiro Zimmermann
- Professor do Curso de Medicina Veterinária do Centro Universitário da Grande Dourados-UNIGRAN, Dourados, Brasil
| | - Bárbara Guimarães Csordas
- Bolsista de Pós-Doutorado- FUNDAPAM, Laboratório de Biologia Molecular do Carrapato, Departamento de Sanidade Animal, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil
| | | | | | - Renato Andreotti
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brasil.
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Ovine Abortion by Neospora caninum: First Case Reported in Argentina. Acta Parasitol 2019; 64:950-955. [PMID: 31485838 DOI: 10.2478/s11686-019-00106-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to describe for the first time a natural case of ovine abortion associated with Neospora caninum in a flock with reproductive losses in Argentina. MATERIALS AND METHODS The analyzed flock consisted of 256 Texel sheep, of which 134 had been mated. A single blood sample was obtained by jugular vein puncture from 220 ewes (116 adult ewes, 104 yearling ewes) and 93 lambs. Serum samples and fetal fluid were tested using the indirect fluorescence antibody test to detect antibodies against N. caninum and T. gondii. Fetal and placental tissues from aborted fetus were examined by standard gross pathology procedures and were tested using histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Moreover, DNA from fetal and placental tissues was isolated and a PCR assay to detect N. caninum, T. gondii and Chlamydia spp. was used. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The pregnancy rate was 89% (119/134), the abortion rate was 8.4% (10/119) whereas the perinatal mortality rate was 15% (16/109). Out of 116 adult ewes sampled, 34.48% presented anti-N. caninum antibodies. Ten ewes had aborted, and one fetus was directly submitted to the diagnostic laboratory for further processing. Antibodies against N. caninum were detected in fetal fluid and in the aborted dam. Histopathological analysis in fetal tissues showed multifocal lymphohistiocytic glossitis, diffuse mild lymphohistiocytic endocarditis, pericarditis and focally extensive myocarditis. Severe multifocal necrotizing placentitis and diffuse mild lymphohistiocytic placentitis with the presence of lymphohistiocytic vasculitis were observed in placenta. N. caninum was immunolabeled in the placenta and fetal tongue. In addition, N. caninum DNA was detected in placenta, central neural system, lung and heart of the aborted fetus. There was no evidence of other infectious abortifacients in the aborted fetus. CONCLUSION The present study described for the first time an ovine abortion caused by N. caninum in Argentina. Further investigations at a larger scale are required to establish the role of N. caninum as an important cause of reproductive losses in sheep flocks from the region.
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