Eva Bártová

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum antibodies in sheep in the Czech Republic.

In the Czech Republic, serum from 547 sheep coming from nine farms was examined for antibodies against parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum by screening ELISA. Antibodies against T. gondii were found in 325 sheep (59%) with prevalence ranging from 11% to 96% in different farms. Antibodies against N. caninum were found in 63 sheep (12%) with prevalence ranging from 4% to 21% in different farms. Mixed infections were found in 53 sheep (10%). It was the first evidence of N. caninum antibodies in sheep from the Czech Republic.

Antibodies to Selected Viral Disease Agents in Wild Boars from the Czech Republic

Blood samples were collected from wild boar (Sus scrofa) shot during the hunting season from 1999 to 2005 in the Czech Republic. Sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the presence of antibodies against classical swine fever virus (CSFV), swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV), Aujeszkys disease virus (ADV), and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Indirect fluorescence antibody test was used for detection of antibodies against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV). Antibodies against ADV, BVDV, PCV-2, and TGEV were detected in 30% (101 of 338), 1% (2 of 352), 43% (57 of 134), and 1% (1 of 134) of wild boars, respectively. Sera of 6,471 and 362 tested wild boars were negative for the presence of antibodies against CSFV and SVDV, respectively. This is the first survey of TGEV antibodies in wild boars and the first serologic survey of viral diseases in wild boars in the Czech Republic. Wild boars in the Czech Republic may act as a potential reservoir of ADV and thus have a role in the epidemiology of this disease.

Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in horses in the Czech Republic

During January 2007, blood samples were collected from 552 healthy horses from nine different regions of the Czech Republic. Sera were tested for serum antibodies to Neospora caninum by a competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by an indirect fluorescent antibody test. The same samples were tested for serum antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by a latex agglutination test. In total, 131 of 552 (24%) horses reacted positively for Neospora antibodies in competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; seven of them had ≥50% of inhibition. Samples were confirmed in indirect fluorescence test, and only two samples were positive with final titres 50 and 100, while others were negative. Antibodies against T. gondii were found in 125 (23%) horses. This is the first serologic survey for Neospora spp. antibodies performed on horses in the Czech Republic.

Serologic survey for toxoplasmosis in domestic birds from the Czech Republic

The present study was carried out on domestic fowls in the Czech Republic in the years 2003 and 2004. A total of 1108 samples obtained from 538 water birds (geese and ducks) and 570 gallinaceous birds (chickens and turkeys) were tested for specific antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. In geese, 43% prevalence (77 positive out of 178 examined) was found with titres of 40, 320 and 2560 in 40, 29 and eight geese, respectively. In ducks, 14% prevalence (52 out of 360) was found with titres of 40 and 320 in 46 and six ducks, respectively. In gallinaceous birds, only one of 293 broiler chickens was positive with a titre of 40; sera of 217 hens and 60 turkeys were negative. We found extremely high antibody prevalence in geese and ducks compared with gallinaceous birds. This is the first seroprevalence study in domestic birds by indirect fluorescent antibody test in Europe.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Neospora spp. in donkeys from Southern Italy

In some European countries there is an increasing interest on donkey. Despite there are few data regarding the donkeys parasitic diseases especially those with a protozoal etiology as neosporosis. Samples used in the study were collected from 238 domestic donkeys during year 2010 in Southern Italy from 207 females and 31 males of five breeds (Martina-Franca, Amiata, Sicilian-Grey, Ragusano, Sardinian) and crossbreeds with the average age 9 years (1 month - 24 year). Sera were tested by a competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibodies against Neospora caninum; the sera were marked positive, if more than 30% inhibition was found. Out of a total 238 donkeys, 28 (11.8%) were found positive for Neospora antibodies with 12% in females and 6% in males. Different seroprevalence 15.4%, 16%, 12% and 8.8% were found in age categories <1 year, 1-4 years, 5-9 years and ≥10 years, respectively. The seroprevalence ranged in different breeds from 36% (Sicilian-Grey) to 0% (Sardinian) and in different use from 17% (for breeding) to 0% (for meat production). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated evidence of a significant (P<0.05) association between crossbreed origin of samples and risk of protozoan infection; age of donkeys was also significant risk factor for protozoan infection. No statistical significant difference (P>0.05) was found among genders and use of donkeys and risk of N. caninum infection. This is the first serological survey for Neospora spp. performed in donkeys.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Donkeys (Equus asinus) in Italy

ABSTRACT Toxoplasmosis, an important zoonosis, can be transmitted by eating meat or drinking milk of animals infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Samples were collected from 238 donkeys in the year 2010 in Italy, which included 207 females and 31 males of five breeds and crossbreeds with the average age 9 years (1 month−24 years). Sera were tested for T. gondii antibodies using a latex agglutination test and the indirect fluorescent antibody test; 5 and 8% seropositivity were recorded, respectively. We found significant correlation between the presence of T. gondii antibodies and sex, age, grazing and presence of cats on the farms and their access to donkey feed. This is the first detection of T. gondii antibodies in donkeys in Italy.

Seroprevalence of antibodies of Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in horses from southern Italy

The consumption of horse meat has been epidemiologically linked to clinical toxoplasmosis in humans and neosporosis that may cause clinical illness in horses. Here we determined seroprevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908 and species of Neospora Dubey, Carpenter, Speer, Topper et Uggla, 1988 in horses from Italy. Blood samples were collected from 643 apparently healthy horses from 60 farms of 51 municipalities in southern Italy. The presence of antibodies against T. gondii and Neospora spp. were detected by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT); a titre ≥ 50 was considered positive. The same sera were also tested for antibodies against Neospora spp. by a competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA); samples with ≥ 30% inhibition were considered positive. Antibodies against T. gondii and Neospora spp. were detected in 19 (3.0%) and 15 (2.3%) horses by IFAT, respectively, without statistical difference between gender, age and breeds (p-value ≥ 0.05). Antibodies against species of Neospora were detected in 70 (10.9%) horses by cELISA with statistical difference in gender (6.0-18.5%, p-value ≥ 0.05) and breeds (0-19.4%, p-value ≥ 0.05). Although T. gondii infection rates were low, the risk of human infection should not be dismissed, particularly in Italy where consumption of raw or undercooked horse meat has a long tradition.

Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in European brown hares in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria

European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) coming from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria were tested for serum antibodies against Neospora caninum by a competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and for serum antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by an indirect fluorescent antibody test. In a total of 925 samples, 280 (30%) and 132 (14%) reacted positively for N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies, respectively. Out of 333 hares in the Czech Republic, 129 (39%) and 71 (21%) reacted positively for N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies, respectively. Out of 209 hares in Slovakia, 8 (4%) and 13 (6%) reacted positively for N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies, respectively. Out of 383 hares in Austria, 143 (37%) and 48 (13%) reacted positively for N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies, respectively. Mixed infection (concurrent presence of both N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies) was found in 25 (8%) hares in the Czech Republic, in 14 (4%) hares in Austria and in none hare in Slovakia. It is the first report of antibodies against Neospora caninum in hares in the Czech Republic and Austria.

TOXOPLASMOSIS IN NILGAIS (BOSELAPHUS TRAGOCAMELUS) AND A SAIGA ANTELOPE (SAIGA TATARICA)

Abstract Three captive female nilgais (Boselaphus tragocamelus) either showed late-term abortion or their newborn calves died within 2 days of birth. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was demonstrated in the brain and liver of each fetus and in one of the two neonates by single-stage polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with TGR1E and by seminested PCR with B1 gene. Retrospectively, antibodies titers ≥640 to T. gondii by indirect fluorescence were found in the sera of all three female and one male nilgais. No other cause of abortion was detected. Fatal toxoplasmosis was also diagnosed in one captive, adult female saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica), which died suddenly. Toxoplasma gondii was detected in the liver, lung, spleen, kidney, and intestine. An unusual finding was the presence of numerous tissue cysts in the liver of this animal. Toxoplasmosis was confirmed by PCR with TGR1E and immunohistochemically. Toxoplasmic hepatitis and pneumonia were considered to be the primary causes of death.

Survey of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in meat juice of wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) in several districts of the Czech Republic

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE The aims of the study were: 1) to detect antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii from wild boar meat; 1) establish seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in the wild boar population; 3) establish risk factors concerned in higher possible seroprevalence; 4) to estimate the usefulness of meat juice for detection of T. gondii antibodies in wild boar. MATERIAL AND METHODS Diaphragm meat juice samples from 656 wild boar (Sus scrofa) were collected during the hunting seasons between September 2008 - October 2010 from 9 districts of the Czech Republic. The samples were stratified per age category into 2 groups: piglets (n = 279) and yearlings together with adults (n = 377). The in-house ELISA test was used for the detection of antibodies against T. gondii from the meat juice samples. RESULTS Antibodies against T. gondii were detected by in-house ELISA in 260 of 656 wild boars (40%) with 26% prevalence in piglets (72/279) and 50% prevalence in yearlings and adults (188/377). The district total seroprevalences ranged between 32% - 59%, with a significantly higher prevalence in the district of Havlíčkův Brod (59%). Statistically significant differences (p-value < 0.05) were found between 2 age categories, and between 9 districts, with a significant variability in the district of Havlíčkův Brod. Seroprevalence correlated positively with farm density, but without any statistical significance. CONCLUSION The obtained results indicate that consumption of raw or undercooked meat from wild boars can carry an important risk of toxoplasma infection. Post mortem detection of antibodies in meat juice samples using ELISA is a useful alternative to blood serum examination. In addition, a diaphragm sample has been well-proven as a matrix sample for the contemporaneous diagnostics of trichinellosis and toxoplasmosis.