Equine neosporosis is an intracellular protozoan disease with a global distribution, affecting a diverse range of warm-blooded animals. Neospora caninum Dubey, Carpenter, Speer, Topper et Uggla, 1988 is associated with foetal loss, neurological disease and abortion in equids. No information was available regarding equine N. caninum infection among equids in Iraq. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of N. caninum in equines by using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). A total of 329 blood samples randomly selected from equines, comprising 268 horses and 61 donkeys were examined. The seroprevalence rate of N. caninum was determined as 46% (28/61) for donkeys and 24% (64/268) for horses. The prevalence of N. caninum indicated a significantly higher risk of infection in donkeys compared to horses (P < 0.001). However, the odds of N. caninum infection in draught equids were 8.2 times greater than other equids with a significant difference (P < 0.001). The current study revealed no significant differences in the prevalence of N. caninum across various genders, breeds, clinical statuses, disease histories and among equids that had contact with dogs. While outdoor feeding and mixed (grazing), showed a significant difference (P = 0.003) and (P = 0.75), respectively, in the presence of antibodies against N. caninum compared to indoor feeding (stable). Moreover, the odds of infection in equids with a history of late abortion were 4.8 times higher than those without such a history of abortion (2.20-10.56) with statistical significance (P < 0.001).

• MeSH
• ELISA * veterinární   MeSH
• Equidae * parazitologie   MeSH
• kokcidióza * veterinární   epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• koně MeSH
• nemoci koní * epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Neospora * izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• protilátky protozoální krev   MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Irák MeSH

Problems with parasitic infections are common in zoological gardens and circuses. In some animals it can lead to several disorders such as systemic disease, reproductive disorders (abortions and neonatal mortality), and even to death if severe illness is untreated. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of three common parasites in 74 animals from three zoos, and four circuses in Southern Italy. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi were detected in 51%, 12%, and 20% of animals, respectively. Co-infections of T. gondii and N. caninum were reported in seven animals (9%) and co-infection of T. gondii and E. cuniculi in one animal. T. gondii, N. caninum and E. cuniculi seroprevalence differed in type of diet (P ≤ 0.0001; P ≤ 0.037 and P ≤ 0.004, respectively). T. gondii and E. cuniculi seroprevalence also differed in animal families (P ≤ 0.0001) and according to type of housing (P ≤ 0.003), respectively. Statistical differences were not found in other characteristics (gender, age, country of birth, origin, and contact with cats or dogs). This is the first serological study focusing on protozoan and microsporidian parasites in zoo and circus animals from Southern Italy and the first detection of antibodies to E. cuniculi in camels in Europe.

• MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• kokcidióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• Neospora izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• savci * MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• Toxoplasma izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• toxoplazmóza zvířat epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata v ZOO MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Itálie MeSH

The presence of Neospora caninum Dubey, Carpenter, Speer, Topper et Uggla, 1988 in small mammals (i.e. murid rodents, Erinaceomorpha, Eulipotyphla and Scadentia) was explored for first time in South-East Asia. A total of 192 individuals from six localities across Thailand were analysed. A general prevalence of N. caninum of 22% was observed, with some variation among localities (5-36%). Four main types of habitat were included and rodents trapped in dry-land habitat (17 positive among 41 individuals) were more likely to be infected with N. caninum than those from other habitats (forest, rain-fed land and settlement). Rodent species identity and individual rodent weight had no influence on individual infection. Our results provided the first data on the presence of N. caninum in rodents in South-East Asia and first report of N. caninum in the order Scadentia.

• MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• hlodavci * MeSH
• ježkovití * MeSH
• kokcidióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• nemoci hlodavců epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Neospora izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• Tupaia * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Thajsko MeSH

There are not any records on the detection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in tissues of wild birds in the African continent. The aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of DNA from these protozoan parasites in brain tissue samples collected in years 2014-2015 from 110 wild and domestic birds of 15 orders. Birds came mainly from the province of Limpopo (n=103); the other seven birds came from other five provinces of South Africa. Parasite DNAs were detected by PCR in animal brains. While all samples were negative for N. caninum, T. gondii DNA was detected in three (2.7%) birds: a Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata), a Laughing Dove (S. senegalensis) and a Southern-Yellow-billed Hornbill (Tockus leucomelas), all from Limpopo province. Positive samples were selected for genotyping by a 15 microsatellite markers method in a single multiplex PCR assay. Only the sample from the Red-eyed Dove was successfully genotyped and characterized as type II. This is the first detection of T. gondii in tissue of native African wild birds and the first study focusing on N. caninum in birds from South Africa.

• MeSH
• divoká zvířata parazitologie   MeSH
• DNA bakterií MeSH
• nemoci ptáků parazitologie   MeSH
• Neospora genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• protilátky protozoální MeSH
• protozoální DNA genetika   MeSH
• ptáci parazitologie   MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• Toxoplasma genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• toxoplazmóza zvířat parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Jihoafrická republika MeSH

The studies were carried on raccoons from Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic. Tissue samples from raccoon hearts, lungs and brains were used for molecular examination while meat juice was collected for immunological tests. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in six out of 44 raccoons (13.6%), while T. gondii DNA was found in 18 (40.9%). Antibodies against N. caninum were found in seven raccoons (15.9%) but no parasite DNA was observed in any sample. DNA of T. gondii was observed in raccoons of both sexes (in 42.3% of females and 38.9% of males) from all three countries. The proportion of raccoons that tested positive for DNA of T. gondii was higher in the Czech Republic (47.1%) than in Germany (33.3%), however the difference was non-significant (p = 0.7032). It seems that the raccoons appear to have been exposed to both T. gondii and N. caninum, but only T. gondii infection was confirmed. The role of raccoons as reservoir, and as possibly contributing to spread of these parasites merits further studies.

• MeSH
• ELISA veterinární   MeSH
• kokcidióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• mývalové parazitologie   MeSH
• Neospora genetika   imunologie   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• protilátky protozoální analýza   MeSH
• protozoální DNA analýza   MeSH
• průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• Toxoplasma genetika   imunologie   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• toxoplazmóza zvířat epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Německo MeSH
• Polsko MeSH

Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi are important infectious agents, with T. gondii and E. cuniculi having zoonotic potential. There are two main clonal lineages (types I and II) of T. gondii in Europe, but little is known about genotypes of T. gondii in wild animals. The aim of our study was molecular detection of these three pathogens in tissues of wild red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) from the Czech Republic. Using PCR (B1 gene), we detected T. gondii in 10% of the animals that we tested ( n=100); N. caninum and E. cuniculi were not detected. The T. gondii samples were genotyped by single multiplex PCR assay with 15 microsatellite markers. Five samples were successfully genotyped as genotype II, a unique finding for T. gondii isolated from red foxes from the Czech Republic.

• MeSH
• divoká zvířata MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• kokcidióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• lišky parazitologie   MeSH
• Neospora genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Toxoplasma genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• toxoplazmóza zvířat epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are the protozoan parasites with definitive hosts from order Carnivora. Due to vertical transmission, both parasites can cause abortions and neonatal mortality that lead to significant productive and economic losses in the domestic ruminants. The aim of this study was to describe N. caninum and T. gondii seroprevalence in the group of frequently farmed captive exotic ruminants (n = 184) including Bovidae (barbary sheep, bezoar goat, common eland, American bison, water buffalo, and yak) and Camelidae (bactrian camel, guanaco, llama, and alpaca). Antibodies were tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Higher prevalence of T. gondii antibodies (31% in IFAT and 52% in ELISA) was detected compared to N. caninum (24% in IFAT and 17% in cELISA). Mixed infection was found in 18 (10%) and 22 (12%) animals by IFAT and ELISA, respectively. Higher seroprevalence of both N. caninum and T. gondii was found in Camelidae compared to Bovidae. To author knowledge, this is the first detection of T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies in common elands and bezoar goats.

• MeSH
• ELISA veterinární   MeSH
• fluorescenční protilátková technika nepřímá veterinární   MeSH
• kokcidióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• Neospora imunologie   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• přežvýkavci parazitologie   MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• Toxoplasma imunologie   MeSH
• toxoplazmóza zvířat epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• velbloudovití parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

Generally, rodents and other small mammals are considered as one of the sources of Toxoplasma gondii or Neospora caninum infection for cats and dogs as the definitive hosts of these two parasites, respectively. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of these two parasites in wild small mammals from the Czech Republic and to characterize T. gondii isolates by methods of molecular biology. A total of 621 wild small mammals were caught in the Czech Republic during years 2002-2014. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected by latex agglutination test in six (2.5%) of 240 small mammals (in two A. agrarius and four A. flavicollis). Antibodies to N. caninum were detected by commercially available competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in one A. flavicolis (0.4%). Three of 427 (0.7%) liver samples were positive for T. gondii by PCR while negative for N. caninum. All embryo samples (n=102) were negative for both T. gondii and N. caninum. The three liver samples positive for T. gondii DNA (two from A. flavicollis and one from A. sylvaticus) were genotyped by 15 microsatellite markers and characterized as type II. To our knowledge, this is the first information about genetic characterization of T. gondii isolates in small mammals from Europe and the first detection of N. caninum antibodies in wild rodents from the Czech Republic.

• MeSH
• divoká zvířata MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• hlodavci * MeSH
• kokcidióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• mikrosatelitní repetice MeSH
• Neospora genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• protozoální DNA izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• rejskovití * MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• Toxoplasma genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• toxoplazmóza zvířat epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

Hunting dogs have probably a higher level of exposure to Neospora caninum Dubey, Carpenter, Speer, Topper et Uggla, 1988 and Toxoplasma gondii Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908 than other canine populations for their different lifestyle. The aim of our survey was to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum and T. gondii in hunting dogs from southern Italy and assess risk factors related to these protozoan infections. Blood samples were collected from 398 hunting dogs (19 different breeds, aged from 5 month to 14 years). The sera were screened by indirect fluorescence antibody test; a titre ≥ 50 was considered positive. Antibodies to N. caninum and T. gondii were detected in 59 (15%) dogs with titres from 50 to 3 200 and in 94 (24%) dogs with titres from 50 to 1 600, respectively, with co-infection in 25 (6%) dogs. Statistical difference (p ≤ 0.05) was found only for infection with T. gondii between two age groups: ≥ 2-4 years (16%) and ≥ 4-7 years (33%); other observed characteristics were without statistical significance. Our results suggest that the hunting dogs could play an important role in the transmission cycle of N. caninum between wild animals and livestock. This is the first detection of antibodies to T. gondii in hunting dogs in Italy.

• MeSH
• kokcidióza krev   epidemiologie   MeSH
• nemoci psů krev   epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Neospora fyziologie   MeSH
• protilátky protozoální krev   MeSH
• psi MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• Toxoplasma fyziologie   MeSH
• toxoplazmóza zvířat krev   epidemiologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• psi MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Itálie epidemiologie   MeSH

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are worldwide spread parasites, causing serious illnesses in sensitive animals; toxoplasmosis is also important zoonosis. Although neosporosis is not considered as a zoonosis, it leads to aborted births in cattle, as well as paresis and paralysis in dogs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to discover the prevalence of N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the Czech Republic. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Sera of 80 foxes from 8 regions of the Czech Republic were tested for antibodies to N. caninum and T. gondii by competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) and indirect ELISA. All samples were simultaneously tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to detect both N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies. RESULTS: Antibodies to N. caninum were found by IFAT in 3 (3.8%) red foxes with titre 50 and in 2 (2.5%) red foxes with inhibition 42.7% and 30.2 %. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in all tested animals in both IFAT (titres 50-6400) and in ELISA (S/P ranging from 34%-133%). CONCLUSION: This is the first prevalence study of N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies in red foxes in the Czech Republic. The results obtained show that red foxes are exposed at different levels to both protozoan infections, and thus could play an important role in the transmission cycle of N. caninum and T. gondii in sylvatic cycle.

• MeSH
• ELISA veterinární   MeSH
• fluorescenční protilátková technika nepřímá veterinární   MeSH
• kokcidióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• lišky * MeSH
• Neospora izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• protilátky protozoální krev   MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• Toxoplasma izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• toxoplazmóza zvířat epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH