Abstract
Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii affect both humans and animals worldwide. To investigate their seroprevalence and differences in seropositivity between pigs vaccinated and unvaccinated against porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2), as well as differences in muscle enzyme activity between seropositive and seronegative pigs, blood samples were collected from 380 sows. Antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum were detected by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) assay, while the activities of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were biochemically assessed. Out of the 364 sows finally included in the study, 4.4%, 3.5%, and 0.5% were seropositive to T. gondii, N. caninum, or both. A significantly higher percentage of seropositivity against T. gondii and/or N. caninum in PCV2 unvaccinated pigs compared with vaccinated pigs was observed. Increased serum activities of CK and AST were detected in 71.43% and 100% of only against T. gondii (T+) and 63.64% and 90.91% of only against N. caninum (N+) seropositive sows, respectively, and were significantly higher compared to seronegative animals. T. gondii and N. caninum seropositivity, especially in presumed immunocompromised pigs, and the evidence of muscle damage highlight their importance as a zoonotic pathogen and animal model of human infection, respectively.
Highlights
Protozoan parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa infect several animal species, while some of them are of zoonotic importance
Out of the 364 swine serologically examined by the immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) assay, 16 (4.4%) animals were IgG positive against T. gondii, 13 (3.5%) animals were IgG positive against N. caninum, and 2 (0.5%) animals were IgG positive against both T. gondii and N. caninum
Fixed N. caninum and T. gondii tachyzoites indirectly stained by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) (IFA) appeared sharp bright green colored with a diffuse or peripheral fluorescence pattern, representing a positive IgG antibody reaction (Figure 1)
Summary
Protozoan parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa infect several animal species, while some of them are of zoonotic importance. Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are closely related intracellular protozoan parasites belonging to the Coccidia subclass [1]. Tissue cyst formation and transmission via environmentally shed sporulated oocysts are some of their shared biological features [2,3]. Both organisms follow an indirect transmission cycle with carnivores being the definitive hosts and a broad spectrum of mammalian species, including humans and birds, serving as intermediate hosts. T. gondii is zoonotic, infecting 30–50% of the world’s human population [4].
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