Infections in Mice with Tachyzoites and Bradyzoites of Neospora caninum (Protozoa: Apicomplexa)

Abstract

Tachyzoites of 2 isolates of Neospora caninum (NC-1 and NC-2) were inoculated subcutaneously (s.c.), intraperitoneally (i.p.), or orally into mice to compare the effects of route of inoculation on pathogenicity. Mice developed more severe disease, and disease occurred sooner when inoculated with the NC-1 isolate compared to the NC-2 isolate. Deaths occurred earlier in mice inoculated i.p. with either isolate. Mice inoculated orally or s.c. with tachyzoites responded similarly to infection. Tissue cysts of the NC-2 isolate produced infections in mice following oral or s.c. inoculation. Lesions seen in mice inoculated with tachyzoites or bradyzoites were primarily acute pneumonia, myositis, encephalitis, ganglioradiculoneuritis, and pancreatitis. In vitro studies demonstrated that tachyzoites of both isolates were killed by incubation in pepsin-HCl solution but not 1% trypsin solution. Bradyzoites of the NC-2 isolate were able to withstand treatment with pepsin-HCl solution.