Epidemiology of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii infection in venison from Aguascalientes, Mexico.

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in venison from Aguascalientes, Mexico, their possible association with some risk factors, and to identify the presence of parasite DNA in blood and tissues. For this study, 5 farms and four species of venison were included, where 43 blood serum samples were obtained and in 37 of these animals a peripheral blood sample was also obtained; from hunted deer, 6 liver and 2 heart samples were obtained. The samples were analyzed by ELISA and PCR tests, respectively. The association between the serological status and the possible risk factors was estimated. The overall seroprevalence in N. caninum was 47% (20/43; CI 95% 31-62), with positive animals in all farms in a range of 18 to 100%, while for T. gondii it was 49% (21/43; CI 95% 33-64), with positive animals in 80% of farms in a range of 18 to 100%. The prevalence of N. caninum DNA detection in blood was 59% (22/37; CI 95% 42-74), with positive animals in all farms, in a range of 45 to 100%, while in T. gondii it was 76% (28/37; CI 95% 58-87), with positive animals in all farms, in a range of 56 to 100%. Age (> 4 years) was identified as associated with seroprevalence in N. caninum (OR 5.2) and in T. gondii (OR 12.7). DNA from both parasites was detected in the liver and heart samples. The results shown that venison populations included in the study are living in an environment highly contaminated with oocysts excreted by the definitive host.