Evaluation of ovine abortion associated with Toxoplasma gondii in Spain by different diagnostic techniques

Pereira-Bueno, J.; Quintanilla-Gozalo, A.; Pérez-Pérez, V.; Álvarez‐García, Gema; Collantes-Fernández, Esther; Ortega‐Mora, Luis Miguel

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.02.004

Cited by 67 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Ryniewicz et al (2003) did not observe any clinical manifestations in serologically positive goats, though they detected antibodies in 46.6% of examined animals. Toxoplasmosis as the cause of abortion was confirmed only in 4% out of 211 aborting goats in the U.S., California (Moeller 2001) compared to 23.1% of goats studied in Spain (Pereira-Bueno et al 2004). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

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Titres of Specific Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in Goats and their Kids

Mišurová¹,

Svobodová

Pavlata³

et al. 2009

Acta Vet. Brno

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The aim of our study was to perform repeated determination of specific antibody levels in mothers and their kids in order to assess indirectly the possibility of vertical transmission of toxoplasmosis in goats. Twenty-eight goats with their kids were included in the study. The following variables were assessed: number of born kids in relation to antibody titres of goats; levels of specific antibodies in the blood of goats and kids; and concentrations of immunoglobulins (Ig), total protein (TP) and total globulins (G) in order to define the end of colostral immunity and the start of active production of antibodies in kids under 69 days of age.Specific antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in goats were detected by IFAT in titres ranging from 0 to 1 280. Out of a total of 28 animals, 5 goats were negative (17.9%) and 23 goats were seropositive (82.1%). The goats delivered 42 kids. A total ratio of number of kids to number of mothers was 1.5. Partial evaluation of results in goats without positive titre against T. gondii before parturition and goats with positive titre showed that negative goats tended to have more kids (p < 0.1) (ratio 1.80) compared to positive goats (ratio 1.35). A significant decrease in levels of TP, Ig and G was observed between days 27 and 41. Samples taken on days 55 and 69 proved gradual increase of active production of antibody response, which was supported also by a significant increase (p < 0.01) of monitored non-specific immunity indicators. During this period, we observed increased titres of specific antibodies against toxoplasmosis in 20 kids (5 kids 41 days old, 5 kids 55 days old, and 10 kids 69 days old) and thus we could assume the possibility of vertical transmission of toxoplasmosis. Immunoglobulins, colostral immunity, small ruminants, zoonosisThe protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii has been thoroughly studied for a long time. As this zoonotic pathogen affects both animals and humans, attention is paid also to animals whose meat is used for human consumption in order to ensure food safety (Hill and Dubey 2002;Lhafi et al. 2004). Human toxoplasmosis has been discussed mainly as the cause of abortions and congenital foetal defects. McAllister (2005) drew attention to human dormant toxoplasmosis that might affect cerebral activity. Pasture animals are most often infected by Toxoplasma gondii oocysts produced by their definitive hosts, i.e. cats. It has been proven that there is a direct correlation between the presence of cats on farms and the incidence of specific antibodies against T. gondii in livestock (Skjerve et al. 1998). Interestingly, small ruminants such as sheep and goats show similar transplacental transmission of toxoplasmosis as humans. It is presumed that the transmission occurs during acute infection in pregnancy. Abortions are observed during early pregnancy period. Pereira-Bueno et al. (2004) proved that 23.1% of abortions in sheep studied in Spain are caused by toxoplasmosis. If the infection occurs later, kids are born healthy (Blewet et al. 1982). Rec...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Abortions are observed during early pregnancy period. Pereira-Bueno et al (2004) proved that 23.1% of abortions in sheep studied in Spain are caused by toxoplasmosis. If the infection occurs later, kids are born healthy (Blewet et al 1982).…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

Titres of Specific Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in Goats and their Kids

Mišurová¹,

Svobodová

Pavlata³

et al. 2009

Acta Vet. Brno

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“…In Spain, Pereira & Bueno (2004) also demonstrated the presence of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in aborted fetuses from naturally infected sheep. Masala et al (2007) detected T. gondii DNA in the tissues of aborted fetuses in Italy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in sheep naturally infected and slaughtered in abattoirs in Pernambuco, Brazil

et al. 2014

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Pesq. Vet. Bras. 34(4):329-331, abril 2014 329 RESUMO.-[Ocorrência de DNA de Toxoplasma gondii em ovelhas naturalmente infectadas e abatidas em matadouros de Pernambuco.] Objetivou-se estudar a ocorrência de anticorpos contra Toxoplasma gondii e detectar o DNA genômico do parasito em órgãos reprodutivos, fetos e anexos fetais de ovelhas em matadouros no estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Foram coletadas amostras de soro sanguíneo, útero, trompas e ovários, além de fetos e placentas. Para a triagem utilizou-se a técnica de Imunofluorescência Indireta (RIFI) e para a detecção do DNA de T. gondii empregou-se a Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) nos animais positivos na sorologia e em todos os fetos e anexos fetais. Na sorologia, 13/50 amostras foram positivas e o DNA genômico de T. gondii foi detectado em uma amostra de útero, trompa, ovário, placenta e feto (coração, cérebro e cordão umbilical) de uma ovelha positiva na sorologia. A identidade molecular dos produtos amplificados foi confirmada por sequenciamento. Neste estudo comprova-se a ocorrência do DNA de T. gondii em órgãos do sistema reprodutivo, placenta e feto de ovelha naturalmente infectada. TERMOS DE INDEXAÇÃO: Toxoplasmose, Toxoplasma gondii, ovelha, Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase.

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“…In the case of sheep, infection is particularly significant as it can cause reproductive problems (Pereira-Bueno et al, 2004) ranging from fetal abnormalities and weak offspring to stillbirths and miscarriages; these are considered to be the main consequences of infection by T. gondii (Buxton et al, 2007). Consequently, infection in sheep results in considerable economic losses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in naturally infected sheep’s milk

et al. 2015

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ABSTRACT. The objective of this study was to verify whether Toxoplasma gondii is excreted in the milk of naturally infected sheep. In order to accomplish this, 275 lactating ewes were used; these were bred extensively in 17 estates distributed across nine cities. Polymerase chain reaction amplification was used to detect T. gondii DNA in milk samples, and the indirect immunofluorescence test was employed for the detection of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in the sera, with a cut-off value of 1:64. It was possible to verify the presence of the parasite DNA in 6.5% (18/275) of the studied animals. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were present in 41.5% of the animals studied (114/275). There was no correlation between parasite excretion in milk and the presence of IgG in 38.9% of the studied animals (7/18). The high seropositivity and the presence of parasite DNA in the milk led to the conclusion that T. gondii infection is present in the sheep population in southern and southwestern Bahia, and that there is a risk of the human population becoming infected due to the consumption of raw, in natura milk.

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Evaluation of ovine abortion associated with Toxoplasma gondii in Spain by different diagnostic techniques

Cited by 67 publications

References 22 publications

Titres of Specific Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in Goats and their Kids

Titres of Specific Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in Goats and their Kids

Occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in sheep naturally infected and slaughtered in abattoirs in Pernambuco, Brazil

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in naturally infected sheep’s milk

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