Identifying anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies in horses of Mexico

Abstract

Both the presence of owned dogs and stray dogs allows the spread of Toxocara, a parasite whose eggs can be found in soil, water and food. Animals, including horses, serve as definitive and paratenic hosts. In México, where consumption of horse meat is common, Toxocara is a zoonotic parasite. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies in work horses and horses intended for human consumption by ELISA. ELISA was chosen for analysis as paratenic hosts do not shed Toxocara eggs in their feces. Blood samples were collected from a total of 188 horses, 94 of which were work horses and 94 horses from the slaughter house. Samples were analyzed by ELISA, and the general equine seroprevalence was found to be 44.6% (n = 188). Adult horses for slaughter had a 61.7% greater presence of anti-Toxocara antibodies (p = 0.006). Toxocara IgG antibodies were found in horses, confirming that horses are paratenic hosts and possible sources of infection for other animals and people.Keywords: horses, Toxocara, public health, zoonoses RESUMO Tanto a presença de cães com dono quanto de cães vadios permitem a disseminação de

The serodiagnostic potential of recombinant proteins TES–30 and TES–120 in an indirect ELISA in the diagnosis of toxocariasis in cattle, horses, and sheep

“…Companion and production animals such as horses and sheep, that commonly share ambient surroundings with definitive hosts (canids and cattle), are prone to become paratenic hosts of the parasite, acting as vectors in the spread of the parasite to a vast number of species and adversely affecting the economy of the region [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Serosurvey and associated risk factors of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in bovines from slaughterhouses of southeastern Brazil

“…High T- seroprevalence (88 positive samples in a total of 188; 44.6%) was also found in a study of horses of Mexico [ 22 ], with stall-raised sporthorses (no pasture access) being 5.4-fold less likely to be positive than horses raised on pasture for human consumption. A similar outcome was observed in the present study, as feedlot bovines were 5.6-fold less likely to be seropositive that those raised in extensive systems with continuous pasture contact.…”

“…In such a scenario, Toxocara ( T )-seropositivity in paratenic hosts has been essential for a better understanding of transmission among species [ 16 , 17 ]. Only a few serosurveys have been reported, showing a T -seroprevalence of between 13.0 and 51.0% in sheep [ 18 – 21 ], 10.1% in goats [ 20 ], 44.6% in horses [ 22 ], and from 58.5 to 89.0% in chickens [ 23 – 25 ].…”