ABSTRACT
Abstract 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.
Resumo O presente estudo foi realizado na microrregião de Ilhéus-Itabuna, Bahia. Os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar a soroprevalência de anticorpos contra Sarcocystis neurona em equinos da microrregião Ilhéus-Itabuna (BA) e identificar possíveis fatores associados à infecção. A presença de esporocistos/oocistos de Sarcocystis spp. também foi pesquisada em Didelphis spp. Foram coletadas 669 amostras de soro de equinos em 56 propriedades localizadas em 12 municípios da região. Foi utilizada a reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), utilizando-se lâminas confeccionadas com merozoítos de Sarcocystis neurona (cepa SN138) e ponto de corte na diluição de 1:80. A ocorrência de anticorpos anti- S. neurona, nos equinos amostrados, foi de 7,92%. As finalidades dos animais - comércio e trabalho - apresentaram-se significativas (p<0.05), sendo que a finalidade trabalho (21,6%) foi considerada fator de risco, enquanto a finalidade comércio (3,6%) foi considerada fator de proteção. Foram capturados 25 Didelphis spp., para pesquisa de esporocistos/oocistos em amostras de fezes e raspado de mucosa intestinal. Todos os Didelphis spp. foram negativos para a presença de Sarcocystis spp., mesmo assim essa circunstância não alterou o fato da ocorrência de S. neurona ter sido observada em cavalos criados na mesorregião do sul da Bahia.
Subject(s)
Animals , Sarcocystis , Sarcocystosis/diagnosis , Sarcocystosis/epidemiology , Didelphis , Horse Diseases/diagnosis , Horse Diseases/epidemiology , Opossums , Brazil/epidemiology , Antibodies, Protozoan , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Sarcocystosis/veterinary , HorsesABSTRACT
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.(AU)
Amostras 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.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Dogs , Horses , Neospora/immunology , Sarcocystis/immunology , Toxoplasma/immunology , Antigens, Protozoan , Brazil/epidemiology , Encephalomyelitis/diagnosis , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect/veterinary , Toxoplasmosis, Animal/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Sarcocystis neurona is the primary agent for Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), important neurological disease characterized by behavior or muscular changes, that impairs animal performance and husbandry. Sarcocystis cruzi is a pathogen related to myositis in cattle. Although related the life cycles of the parasites are distinct. S. neurona has opossums (Didelphis spp.) and S. cruzi, dogs as definitive hosts. However, S. neurona and S. cruzi may undergo cross-reactivity in serological tests, interfering on results of EPM ante-mortem diagnostic tests. In the present study, serology of 189 mares was performed by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test, using antigens of S. neurona and S. cruzi in order to assess the exposure degree of animals to antigens. Analyzing the results, it was observed that most of the animals (84.13%) reacted with at least one protozoal species and the number of animals which showed antibodies against S. cruzi was greater than S. neurona (80.42% and 33.86%, respectively) and a third of seropositive animals reacted to antigens of both species.(AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Antibodies, Protozoan/analysis , Apicomplexa , Sarcocystis/isolation & purification , Sarcocystosis/veterinary , Sarcocystosis/epidemiology , Encephalomyelitis/veterinary , HorsesABSTRACT
Relata-se o caso de uma égua de atividade de polo, que apresentou inicialmente claudicação leve no membro posterior esquerdo, a qual evoluiu para ataxia e atrofia da musculatura glútea do lado esquerdo, com diagnóstico de trombose aortoilíaca (TAI). A paciente foi tratada com suspeita de mieloencefalite protozoária equina, devido à semelhança dos sinais clínicos com essa doença, porém o líquido cefalorraquidiano apresentou-se negativo para anticorpos anti-Sarcocystis neurona. A palpação transretal indicou uma massa na bifurcação aortoilíaca esquerda. Na avaliação ultrassonográfica, visualizou-se imagem hiperecoica aderida ao endotélio vascular, sugerindo TAI atingindo a estenose de 70 por cento da luz arterial.
The case of a mare used for polo is reported. The animal showed clinical signs of soft lameness of the hindlimb, evolving to ataxia and gluteal muscle atrophy, with aorto-iliac thrombosis (AIT). The patient was treated with the suspect of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), due to the resemblance of clinical signs. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was negative for antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona. The transrectal examination indicated a mass in the left aorto-iliac bifurcation. In the ultrasonographic evaluation, a hyperechoic image adhered to the vascular endothelium was observed, suggesting (AIT), occupying 70 percent of arterial lumen. The present article has the objective of pointing out the importance of the differential diagnosis between AIT and EPM in horses with ataxia in hindlimbs and muscular atrophy.