Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in sheep and goats in Switzerland: Seroprevalence and occurrence in aborted foetuses

Basso, Walter; Fabienne, Holenweger; Schares, Gereon; Müller, Norbert; Lucía, M. Campero; Ardüser, Flurin; Moore-Jones, Gaia; Caroline, F. Frey; Zanolari, Patrik

doi:10.1016/j.fawpar.2022.e00176

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Although this protozoon has caused serious reproductive losses in some Spanish flocks, most of the available studies suggest that it is detected only sporadically and has, therefore, traditionally been considered as a minor parasite in small ruminants [ 76 , 77 ]. N. caninum was detected in 2.4% and 1.4% of the tested ovine and caprine fetuses in Switzerland, 3.5% of tissue samples from ovine abortions in Germany, and 8.6% of ovine fetuses in Italy [ 62 , 72 , 78 ]. In Spain, a previous survey with specimens submitted for diagnosis to a laboratory in 2008 and 2009 displayed higher rates than those detected in the current study, namely 6.8% of sheep fetuses (5/74) and 11.5% of goat fetuses (3/26) were PCR-positive for N. caninum [ 75 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coxiella burnetii and Co-Infections with Other Major Pathogens Causing Abortion in Small Ruminant Flocks in the Iberian Peninsula

Ramo

Benito

Quílez

et al. 2022

Animals

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Coxiella burnetii is an intracellular bacterium causing human Q fever and reproductive disorders in domestic ruminants. We analyzed the occurrence of C. burnetii and co-infections with six other major pathogens causing abortion in sheep (1242 cases) and goat (371 cases) flocks from Spain and Portugal. After real-time PCR detection, co-infections were established by principal component and cluster analysis that grouped cases based on the joint presence/absence of several microorganisms. C. burnetii and Chlamydia abortus were the most common abortifacient agents with approximately 75% of cases from both hosts testing positive, followed by Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter sp., Salmonella enterica, border disease virus and Neospora caninum. C. burnetii was significantly more common than C. abortus in goat abortions (p < 0.001). Co-infections with at least two pathogens were found in more than 66% cases of ovine abortions and 36% cases of caprine abortions testing positive for C. burnetii, mostly including mixed infections with only C. abortus. These findings indicate that both pathogens are the most significant ones to be readily prevented by vaccination in this geographical area. Biosecurity and biocontainment measures are also steadfastly recommended to prevent both the economic losses and public health risks associated with most of these abortifacient agents.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coxiella burnetii and Co-Infections with Other Major Pathogens Causing Abortion in Small Ruminant Flocks in the Iberian Peninsula

Ramo

Benito

Quílez

et al. 2022

Animals

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“…Even though univariate analysis did not show a significant effect of altitude, the glm-fitted model retained altitude as a protective factor, i.e., animals from higher altitudes were less likely to be seropositive. This was also observed in domestic sheep taken to summer grazing pastures in the Swiss Alps (Basso et al, 2022). Lower cat density and thus lower environmental contamination with oocysts, combined with more extreme weather conditions with lower temperatures and more intensive sunlight, which could negatively affect oocyst survival, are possible explanations for this finding (Dubey, 2022).…”

Section: Seroprevalencementioning

confidence: 74%

Exploring the epidemiological role of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii

Scherrer¹,

Ryser-Degiorgis²,

Marti³

et al. 2023

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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“…Indeed, several farm-related factors, many of which were not included in this study, such as the management of drinking water and feed, might be important. Acquiring these additional data was not within our capability since it is a resource-demanding activity that implied on-site inspections and/or questionnaire administration to the farmers ( 8 , 25 – 28 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxoplasma gondii in sheep: Serological occurrence at slaughterhouse level in Italy and environmental risk factors

et al. 2023

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Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease affecting a wide range of species, including humans, and can be responsible for important clinical manifestations such as abortion and neurological signs. Sheep show a remarkable susceptibility to its causative agent, Toxoplasma gondii, and zoonotic transmission may occur in case of consumption of undercooked meat obtained from infected animals. Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in sheep can significantly vary on a geographical basis, as shown by numerous surveys conducted worldwide. To investigate environmental and climate conditions that may affect the likelihood of ovine infection, 405 serum samples from selected sheep raised in 91 farms were collected from two abattoirs, with each abattoir receiving animals from two regions (1/Tuscany-Latium and 2/Campania-Basilicata). The seroprevalence of infection in all examined animals was 53.8%. Young animals (n = 165) had a lower likelihood of being T. gondii positive compared to the adults (OR = 0.21), and the seropositive rate of animals slaughtered in abattoir 2 was significantly higher than that of animals slaughtered in abattoir 1 (60.5 vs. 43.2%, p < 0.01). The significant bioclimatic variables (p < 0.05) associated with the presence of T. gondii antibodies were related to areas with a lower range of temperature and higher precipitation. In conclusion, this study expands on the interpretation of serological data, with the inclusion of environmental and climatic variables, as possible risk factors in the spread of toxoplasmosis in the study area. These findings provide novel insights to support public health measures, such as risk-based control plan, and contribute to a “One Health” approach, taking into account the environmental and climatic perspectives.

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Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in sheep and goats in Switzerland: Seroprevalence and occurrence in aborted foetuses

Cited by 14 publications

References 58 publications

Coxiella burnetii and Co-Infections with Other Major Pathogens Causing Abortion in Small Ruminant Flocks in the Iberian Peninsula

Coxiella burnetii and Co-Infections with Other Major Pathogens Causing Abortion in Small Ruminant Flocks in the Iberian Peninsula

Exploring the epidemiological role of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii in sheep: Serological occurrence at slaughterhouse level in Italy and environmental risk factors

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