A Seroepidemiological Study on vivax Malaria in Children of Less than 9 Years Old Using Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test in Southeastern Iran

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Sarcocystis neurona, seroprevalence of antibodies in equines and research of oocystis in opossum in Ilhéus - Itabuna microregion, Bahia, Brazil

The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of Sarcocystis neurona antibodies in equines in the Ilhéus-Itabuna microregion (BA), and identify possible factors associated with infection. The presence of sporocysts/oocysts of Sarcocystis spp. was also verified in Didelphis spp. A total of 669 serum samples were collected from equines in 56 properties located in 12 municipalities in the region. Indirect fluorescent antibody test was performed with slides containing merozoites of the S. neurona, using a cut-off titer of 1:80. Occurrence of 7.92% of anti-S. neurona antibodies was observed in the sampled equines. The purposes trade and work were significantly associated with the presence of antibodies (p<0.05), and being used for the purpose of work (21.6%) was considered a risk factor, while being used for the purpose of trade (3.6%) was a protective factor. A total of 25 Didelphis spp. was captured for research on sporocysts/oocysts in stool samples and intestinal scrapings, being all negative. Didelphis spp. were all negative for the presence of Sarcocystis spp. and this circumstance does not change the fact that seroprevalence of S. neurona has been observed in horses raised in the southern Bahia.

Occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in pigs in the State of Pará, Brazil

We investigated the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum antibodies in pigs raised in the Northeast of Pará, Brazil. At Study I, convenience sampled 151 pigs at two slaughterhouses, with and without state inspection; and Study II, which assessed 159 pigs with probabilistic sampling from nine pig farms. Serological analysis was performed using indirect fluorescent antibody test for T. gondii and N. caninum with a cutoff of 64 and 50, respectively. Overall, 6.77% pigs were seropositive for T. gondii and 5.16% for N. caninum. In Study I, pigs slaughtered with and without state inspection presented similar occurrence for both coccidia (p>0.05). Study II found an association between N. caninum seropositivity and sludge discarded into the soil, feeding pigs with animal-based protein, subsistence system, and absence of nipple drinkers. No association was found for T. gondii. Pigs from Pará are a potential source of T. gondii infection to humans. To our best knowledge, this is the first study to report anti-N. caninum antibodies in the serum of pigs in Pará State, Brazilian Amazon.

Age, gender and climate associations with the seroprevalence of Neospora species infection in horses in Jordan

A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 379 horses to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora spp. in Jordan using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Five variables, namely locality (n=10), climatic zone (n=4), age group (n=3), gender, and breed were tested as risk factors for Neospora–immunoglobulin (Ig)G seropositivity at four cutoff titers (1:50, 1:200, 1:400, and 1:800) using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. A total of 122 (32%; 95% CI: 28, 37) sera samples had anti-Neospora–IgG at a cutoff titer of 1:50. Increased Neospora–IgG seropositivity was found in horses in three localities (Madaba, Zarka, and Petra) and was associated with the following variables: cool temperate climate; age >14 years; and female gender. Seropositivity was found among horses from Madaba at all cutoff titers, Zarka at titers >1:200, and Petra at titers <1:200. Cool temperate climate was associated with titers <1:400. Horses aged >14 years were found to be associated with seropositivity at titers ≥1:200. Female gender was associated with high seropositivity at >1:800.

Genetic diversity of Babesia bovis studied longitudinally under natural transmission conditions in calves in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Serum and DNA samples from 15 naturally infected calves in Seropédica, Brazil, were obtained quarterly from birth to 12 months of age, in order to longitudinally evaluate their humoral immune response against Babesia bovis and the merozoite surface antigen diversity of B. bovis. Anti-B. bovis IgG antibodies were detected by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Using DNA amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, the genetic diversity of B. bovis was assessed based on the genes that encode merozoite surface antigens (MSA-1, MSA-2b and MSA-2c). The serological results demonstrated that up to six months of age, all the calves developed active immunity against B. bovis. Among the 75 DNA samples evaluated, 0, 3 and 5 sequences of the msa-1, msa-2b and msa-2c genes were obtained, respectively. The present study demonstrated that the msa-2b and msa-2c gene sequences amplified from blood DNA of B. bovis-positive calves were genetically diversified. These data emphasize the importance of conducting deeper studies on the genetic diversity of B. bovis in Brazil, in order to design diagnostic antigens and vaccines in the future.

Anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in beef cattle from the northern region of Paraná state, Brazil

ABSTRACT: The presence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in beef cattle slaughtered in the northern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil, was evaluated. A total of 401 blood samples were collected; 281 samples from the municipality of Rolândia and 120 from the municipality of Borrazópolis, between April 2015 and November 2016. Of the total samples, 289 were from females and 112 from males, aged one and a half to eight years. Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was performed, using a cut-off of 1:100. Variables were tabulated for statistical analyses (Fisher’s exact test and chi-square tests, p≤0.05). The analysis showed that of the 401 samples, 37 were positive for N. caninum, indicating a prevalence of 9.2 %, and observed titers were 1:100 (16), 1:200 (14), and 1:400 (7). The variables sex, age, and location did not differ statistically (p>0.05). Our results showed a sero-occurrence of N. caninum in cattle slaughtered in the northern region of the state of Paraná.