Seroepidemiology of Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi infections in domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) in Durango, Mexico.

Michelle R Yeargan,José Alfredo Zamarripa-Barboza,Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel,Domingo Alvarado-Esquivel,Daniel K Howe,Jitender P Dubey

doi:10.1051/parasite/2017030

Abstract

There is currently no information regarding Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi infections in donkeys in Mexico. Here, we determined the presence of antibodies against S. neurona and N. hughesi in donkeys in the northern Mexican state of Durango. Serum samples of 239 domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) were assayed for S. neurona and N. hughesi antibodies using home-made enzyme-linked immunoassays; six (2.5%) of the 239 donkeys tested seropositive for S. neurona. The seroprevalence of S. neurona infection was comparable among donkeys regardless of their origin, health status, or sex. Multivariate analysis showed that seropositivity to S. neurona was associated with increased age (OR = 2.95; 95% CI: 1.11–7.82; p = 0.02). Antibodies to N. hughesi were found in two (0.8%) of the 239 donkeys. Both exposed donkeys were healthy, 3- and 6-year-old females. This is the first evidence of S. neurona and N. hughesi infections in donkeys in Mexico.

Highlights

The apicomplexan protozoa Sarcocystis neurona (S. neurona) and Neospora hughesi (N. hughesi) are the etiological agents of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, which is an important neurological disease of horses in the Americas [3, 4]
We recently reported the first seroprevalence of these infections in horses in Durango, Mexico [16]
The seroprevalence of S. neurona infection was comparable among donkeys regardless of their health status or sex (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

The apicomplexan protozoa Sarcocystis neurona (S. neurona) and Neospora hughesi (N. hughesi) are the etiological agents of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, which is an important neurological disease of horses in the Americas [3, 4]. Neospora spp. can cause abortion in horses. S. neurona and Neospora spp. can cause disease in equids other than horses, there are no reports of clinical disease in donkeys. There is scarce information regarding S. neurona and N. hughesi infections outside of the United States [3, 4]. We recently reported the first seroprevalence of these infections in horses in Durango, Mexico [16]. We are not aware of any study of these infections in donkeys

Methods

Results

Conclusion