Occurrences of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora spp., and Sarcocystis neurona in horses and dogs in the municipality of Pauliceia, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Serum samples from 116 horses and 47 dogs from the municipality of Paulicéia, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, were examined for anti-Toxoplasma gondii, -Neospora spp. and -Sarcocystis neurona antibodies by means of the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The results showed that only one horse was seropositive for T. gondii (0.9%) and anti-Neospora spp. antibodies were detected in three out of the 116 horses tested (2.6%). However, 27 horses showed antibodies against S. neurona (23.8%). Amongst the serum samples from the dogs, 10 out of the 47 dogs showed antibodies against T. gondii (21.3%) and three dogs showed antibodies against Neospora caninum (6.4%). This study reports that in the municipality of Paulicéia dogs in both the rural and the urban area were exposed to T. gondii and N. caninum, while horses in the rural area were exposed to all three protozoa studied, with high occurrence of anti-S. neurona antibodies. Keywords: Toxoplasmosis. Neosporosis. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. IFAT. ResumoAmostras de soro de 116 equinos e 47 cães provenientes do município de Paulicéia, São Paulo, foram testadas para detecção de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii, -Neospora spp. e -Sarcocystis neurona por meio da reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI). Apenas um equino, entre 116 equinos testados, teve diagnóstico soropositivo para T. gondii (0,9%), e três deles (2,6%) apresentaram anticorpos anti-Neospora spp. Entretanto, 27 equinos apresentaram anticorpos anti-S. neurona (23,8%). Nas amostras de cães, dez dos 47 animais apresentaram anticorpos anti-T. gondii (21,3%) e três tiveram diagnóstico soropositivo para Neospora caninum (6,4%). Este estudo relata que no município de Paulicéia os cães das áreas urbana e rural foram expostos a T. gondii e N. caninum, enquanto os equinos da área rural foram expostos aos três protozoários estudados, com alta ocorrência de anticorpos anti-S. neurona. Palavras-chave: Toxoplasmose. Neosporose. Mieloencefalite protozoária equina. RIFI.

Anti-Toxoplasma gondii and Anti-Neospora caninum Antibodies in Urban Traction Equids in Northeast Brazil: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors

“…The prevalence rates of 13.7% for anti-T. gondii and 5% for anti-N. caninum antibodies were similarly observed in the northern region of Brazil, with a prevalence of 10.3% (134/1298) for anti-T. gondii and 5.6% (73/1298) for anti-N. caninum [7]. Lower seroprevalence in horses was observed in the State of São Paulo, Southeast Brazil, with prevalence values of 0.9% (1/116) for anti-T. gondii and 2.6% (3/116) for anti-N. caninum [14]. On the other hand, in studies conducted in the Northeast and Midwest regions of Brazil, the prevalences were 28.5% (129/453) for anti-T. gondii in horses and 2% (7/333) for anti-N. caninum in donkeys [15,16].…”