A Review of Toxoplasmosis and Neosporosis in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are diseases with worldwide distribution that are associated with reproductive problems in livestock and responsible for economic losses. This review presents an overview of the current knowledge relative to these diseases in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). In general, buffalo are considered resistant to clinical toxoplasmosis because there are studies only reporting serological evidence of natural infection in these animals. Studies have described age, poor hygienic status of the farm, and presence of cats as risk factors for the development of Toxoplasma gondii infection in buffalo. It must be highlighted that buffalo meat, which does not receive adequate freezing treatment, could be a potential source for toxoplasmic human infection as well as the importance of raw buffalo milk in the transmission of toxoplasmosis to human beings. Neospora caninum is considered one of the major causes of abortion and responsible for huge economic losses in cattle. Vertical transmission is the main route to infect calves, and is responsible for maintaining the parasite within a herd. In buffalo, vertical transmission is also described; moreover, although there are indications that N. caninum may be associated with abortion in dairy buffalo, the reproductive importance of neosporosis is apparently lower in buffalo relative to cattle. Most studies have identified a higher time of exposition to N. caninum oocysts relative to age. The household system was also described as a risk factor for infection, possibly due to persistent contact between the home-raised buffalo and canids. The fetal immune competence of buffalo is similar to bovine, and buffalo fetus are highly susceptible to infection during the first trimester of pregnancy, indicating that N. caninum may be an abortigenic agent in buffaloes. Alternatively, it is interesting to note there is evidence that the inflammatory response in pregnant buffalo infected with N. caninum is mild enough to avoid abortion in most cases. It is proposed that the possible transmission of toxoplasmosis through unprocessed milk and buffalo meat may occur, which is important in terms of public health. Additionally, there is strong evidence to suggest that N. caninum may be associated with abortion in buffalo.

Towards an Integrated Approach for Monitoring Toxoplasmosis in Southern Italy

“…On the other hand, a strong association was found between the variable abortion and the seropositivity to T. gondii in goat and in water buffalo farms. The abortive role of Toxoplasma in small ruminants is widely recognized [23,24] whereas it is not common in cattle [34] and water buffaloes [35]. Recently, Ciuca et al [18] showed that the co-infection by Neospora caninum and T. gondii is significantly associated with abortion in a water buffalo farm located in the same area.…”

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Small Ruminants in Luxor, Egypt

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The protozoan parasite Neospora caninum (N. caninum) is a Toxoplasma-like organism and the causative agent of neosporosis in animals. Subsequently, T. gondii and N. caninum are closely related apicomplexan parasites, sharing many morphological and biological features, (Sánchez-Sánchez et al, 2018) and are associated with reproductive problems in livestock (De Barros et al, 2020).

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Sero-Epidemiological Study of Toxoplasmosis in Sheep and Goats in Dammam City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic disease caused by a protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and it is of great concern for both animals and public health [3]. Subsequently, T. gondii and is closely related apicomplexan parasites, sharing many morphological and biological features, [1] and are associated with reproductive problems in livestock [4]. Domestic cats and other felids are definitive hosts of T. gondii, a large variety of mammals and birds that serve as intermediate hosts [5,6].…”