Clinical aspects of 27 cases of neosporosis in dogs

Abstract

Twenty-seven cases of neosporosis in European dogs are described. The disease was confirmed by immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, or a favourable response to treatment in the dogs with appropriate clinical signs, and by the presence of antibodies to Neospora caninum but not to Toxoplasma gondii. The affected dogs were two days to seven years old, and of 13 different breeds. Both sexes were affected and in most cases littermates remained normal. Twenty-one cases had an initial hindlimb paresis or ataxia, in which muscle atrophy was the most consistent clinical sign. Rigid hyperextension developed in approximately half of the cases. Anorexia and pyrexia were rare. Other clinical signs included forelimb ataxia, head tremors with tetraparesis and sudden collapse due to myocarditis. Titres of > or = 1:800 in the N caninum indirect fluorescent antibody test were detected in the 20 cases from which serum samples were taken. Such high titres are rare in healthy dogs and strongly suggest a diagnosis of neosporosis. Sixteen of the dogs received appropriate antiprotozoal treatment with clindamycin, potentiated sulphonamides and/or pyrimethamine; 10 made a full or functional recovery. Recovery was less likely in peracute cases with severe clinical signs, and when the treatment was delayed.

Seroprevalence of <i>Neospora Caninum</i> in Stray Dogs

“…The role of age in seropositivity suggests that most of the dogs acquire the infection in the postnatal period by means of horizontal transmission. The role of age has been observed in similar studies (Barber and Trees, 1996;Sawada et al, 1998;Wouda et al, 1999;Haddadzadeh et al, 2007;Malmasi et al, 2007). The anti-N. caninum titers encountered varied from 50-1600.…”

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum serological status of different canine populations from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais

“…Serological surveys performed in the past 12 years indicate that the parasite is spread worldwide, with prevalences ranging from 0 to 31% (Lindsay, Dubey, 2000). Clinical neosporosis is mainly seen in young dogs following vertical transmission (Wouda et al, 1995;Barber, Trees, 1996). Clinical signs are characterized by neuromuscular disorders due to dissemination of the parasite in the central nervous system and muscular tissues (Lindsay, Dubey, 2000).…”

Cutaneous Neosporosis in Two Adult Dogs on Chronic Immunosuppressive Therapy

“…18 Human patients considered at risk for S. maltophilia infections include the severely debilitated or immunosuppressed, those receiving antimicrobial and/or intravenous therapy, and individuals subjected to invasive surgical procedures. 2 A protease and elastase elaborated by S. maltophilia are believed to be important in the pathogenesis of infection. 1,15 Although S. maltophilia is now recognized as a significant human pathogen, the role of this bacterium in diseases of animals is less clear.…”

“…22 Although neosporosis is a major cause of abortion in cattle, 12 in dogs N. caninum mainly elicits progressive ascending neuromuscular paralysis caused by polymyositis, polyradiculitis, and meningoencephalitis, which is most severe and more common in young dogs. 2,[10][11][12]27 Clinical signs and conditions in adult dogs with neosporosis may include neurologic disease, polymyositis, myocarditis, and dermatitis. 2,[10][11][12]27 The original case series of 10 dogs with neosporosis published over a decade ago included a 15-year-old mixed-breed dog with ulcerative skin lesions and multisystemic disease.…”

“…2,[10][11][12]27 Clinical signs and conditions in adult dogs with neosporosis may include neurologic disease, polymyositis, myocarditis, and dermatitis. 2,[10][11][12]27 The original case series of 10 dogs with neosporosis published over a decade ago included a 15-year-old mixed-breed dog with ulcerative skin lesions and multisystemic disease. 7 Since that time, Neospora dermatitis has been reported in 5 other dogs, ranging in age from 5 to 12 years, which resided in France, 18 Israel, 25 Italy, 26 and the United States.…”