Vaccination with recombinant oncosphere antigens reduces the susceptibility of sheep to infection with Taenia multiceps.

Taenia multiceps is a cestode parasite, the larval stage of which encysts in the brain of sheep, goats and cattle causing an often fatal condition. The parasite also causes zoonotic infections in humans. Homologues of the recombinant oncosphere vaccine antigens from Taenia ovis and other Taenia species were identified in T. multiceps. Sequencing of the associated T. multiceps genes and cloning of the encoding mRNA has revealed conserved features in the genes and proteins. The T. multiceps oncosphere proteins, designated Tm16 and Tm18, contain a predicted secretory signal and fibronectin type III domain. The recombinant Tm16 and Tm18 proteins were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli as fusion proteins with GST. The antigens, formulated with Quil A adjuvant, were tested in a vaccine trial in sheep. The antigens stimulated immunity in sheep against challenge infection with T. multiceps eggs. Five of nine control sheep died due to a challenge infection with T. multiceps whereas none of 20 vaccinated animals died as a result of the parasite challenge (P=0.001). In addition, vaccination with the Tm16 protein, or Tm16 plus Tm18, induced significant protection against the number of parasites encysting in the brain as a result of the challenge infection (P=0.023, P=0.015, respectively). No clear relationship was apparent between the level of specific serum antibody in vaccinated animals and either the presence or absence of parasites or the number of parasites that occurred in some of the vaccinated animals. We believe this study is the first description of recombinant vaccine-related investigations for T. multiceps. The recombinant oncosphere antigens identified may allow development of effective vaccination strategies against T. multiceps infection in sheep. They raise the potential for the development of a combined vaccine with the Echinococcus granulosus EG95 antigen for prevention of T. multiceps as well as preventing the transmission of cystic hydatid disease.

Detection of Babesia (Theileria) equi (Laveran, 1901) in horses in the Kars province of Turkey.

This study was carried out in order to detect antibodies to Babesia (Theileria) equi in the local breed of horses in the province of Kars, Turkey. A total of 108 serum samples from apparently healthy horses in eight villages were examined for B. equi antibodies by an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Of the 108 samples tested, 27 (25%) were found to be seropositive. The horses sampled in Aydinalan village had the highest prevalence (50.0%) of Babesia equi infection while the lowest prevalence was found among horses from Bayraktar village (12.5%). Statistically significant differences in seroprevalence were observed between these two villages (P < 0.05). This study is the first report on the status of B. equi infection in Kars.

Serum protein alterations in dogs naturally infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

We conducted this study to describe the serum electrophoretic pattern in dogs associated with the infection of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The serum protein pattern of 25 dogs with confirmed T. gondii infection and 15 clinically healthy dogs were evaluated using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Albumin, alpha-1 globulin, alpha-2 globulin, beta globulin, and gamma globulin bands were seen from the serum electrophoresis of infected and healthy dogs. Compared to the control group, significant decreases in the mean percentages of albumin (from 46.1+/-7.2 to 40.8+/-4.5%, P<0.05), alpha-1 globulin (from 3.9+/-0.4 to 0.8+/-0.2%, P<0.001), alpha-2 globulin (from 9.0+/-0.4 to 8.3+/-0.8%, P<0.01), and beta globulin (from 18.4+/-1.2 to 12.1+/-0.6%, P<0.001) in the infected group were determined. In contrast, gamma globulin fraction was significantly higher in infected dogs (38.1+/-4.6%) than in control dogs (22.7+/-7.2%; P<0.001). Moreover, significant correlations were determined between the percentages of the albumin and gamma globulin fractions and liver enzyme tests including aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in infected dogs; however, no correlation was observed for the other protein fractions. In conclusion, marked alterations in serum protein pattern associated with strong modifications of serum protein concentrations are in accordance with the hepatic injury as affirmed by liver enzyme tests that were demonstrated in the canine toxoplasmosis. These findings showed that serum protein electrophoresis can be used in the diagnosis and prognosis of canine toxoplasmosis as a supplementary analysis in combination with serological, clinical, and laboratory findings of this disease.

Detection of Toxoplasmosis gondii seropositivity in sheep in Yalova by Sabin Feldman Dye Test and Latex Agglutination Test.

Sera collected from 63 sheep older than one year of age in two regions of Yalova were tested for anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using the Sabin-Feldman Dye Test (SFDT) and Latex Agglutination Test (LAT). Of the 63 samples tested, 42 (66.66%) and 41 (65.08 %) were determined to be seropositive by SFDT and by LAT, respectively. Of the positive sheep serum samples, 23 were positive at a dilution of 1/16; 13, at a dilution of 1/64; and 6, at a dilution of 1/256. SFDT was accepted as a reference test. The sensitivity and specificity of LAT were 78.57% and 61.90 %, respectively. The correlation between these two tests was determined to be 73.01%.