Low prevalence of infection by Sarcocystis neurona in horses from the State of Alagoas, Brazil

Valença, Sandra Regina Fonseca de Araújo; Ribeiro-Andrade, Müller; Moré, Gastón; Albuquerque, Pedro Paulo Feitosa de; Júnior, José Wilton Pinheiro

doi:10.1590/s1984-29612019027

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 17 publications

(27 reference statements)

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“…The seroprevalence for S. neurona antibodies observed in the equines sampled in this study (7.92%) was similar to that described in Alagoas state, northeast Brazil (2.8%) (Valença et al, 2019), but considerably low compared to the numbers observed in Minas Gerais state, southeast Brazil (26.0%) (Ribeiro et al, 2016), and in the United States (27,6%) (Pusterla et al, 2014). All the above studies used the same serological test and cut-off values as the present study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Anti-S. neurona antibodies have been found in equines in several countries with seroprevalence ranging from 0% in New Zealand (Vardeleon et al, 2001) to 89.2% in the United States (Bentz et al, 2003). In Brazil, records of equine exposure to the protozoa are scarce, with few studies having verified seroprevalence of S. neurona infection in the equine troop, with numbers ranging from 1.6% in Alagoas Northeast Region, (Valença et al, 2019) to 90,00% in Minas Gerais (Hoane et al 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sarcocystis neurona, seroprevalence of antibodies in equines and research of oocystis in opossum in Ilhéus - Itabuna microregion, Bahia, Brazil

Pellizzoni

Costa²,

Mery³

et al. 2021

Rev. Bras. Parasitol. Vet.

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The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of Sarcocystis neurona antibodies in equines in the Ilhéus-Itabuna microregion (BA), and identify possible factors associated with infection. The presence of sporocysts/oocysts of Sarcocystis spp. was also verified in Didelphis spp. A total of 669 serum samples were collected from equines in 56 properties located in 12 municipalities in the region. Indirect fluorescent antibody test was performed with slides containing merozoites of the S. neurona, using a cut-off titer of 1:80. Occurrence of 7.92% of anti-S. neurona antibodies was observed in the sampled equines. The purposes trade and work were significantly associated with the presence of antibodies (p<0.05), and being used for the purpose of work (21.6%) was considered a risk factor, while being used for the purpose of trade (3.6%) was a protective factor. A total of 25 Didelphis spp. was captured for research on sporocysts/oocysts in stool samples and intestinal scrapings, being all negative. Didelphis spp. were all negative for the presence of Sarcocystis spp. and this circumstance does not change the fact that seroprevalence of S. neurona has been observed in horses raised in the southern Bahia.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sarcocystis neurona, seroprevalence of antibodies in equines and research of oocystis in opossum in Ilhéus - Itabuna microregion, Bahia, Brazil

Pellizzoni

Costa²,

Mery³

et al. 2021

Rev. Bras. Parasitol. Vet.

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“…This is a high seroprevalence compared to previous investigations conducted in Brazil. These include horse serum analyzed by IFAT in the states of Alagoas (Northeast, 2.8%) ( Valença et al, 2019 ), Mato Grosso (Midwestern, 20.8%) ( Borges et al, 2017 ), Minas Gerais (Southeastern, 23.09%) ( Ribeiro et al, 2016 ), Rio Grande do Sul (South, 33.86%) ( Antonello et al, 2015 ), São Paulo (Southeastern, 23.8%) ( Oliveira et al, 2017 ) and Roraima (North, 40.4%) ( Gomes et al, 2019 ). In the present study, the highest titer observed for S. neurona was 1:800, whereas 1:400 was the highest titer observed for S. falcatula- like.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reactivity against Sarcocystis neurona and Sarcocystis falcatula-like in horses from Southeastern and Midwestern Brazil

Silva

Santi

Gonçalves³

et al. 2023

Rev. Bras. Parasitol. Vet.

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Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a neurological disease caused by Sarcocystis neurona. Immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFATs) have been widely used to identify exposure of horses to S. neurona in Brazil. Here we used IFAT to search for IgG antibodies against Sarcocystis falcatula-like (Dal-CG23) and S. neurona (SN138) in sera from 342 horses sampled in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul state (Midwestern), and São Paulo, São Paulo state (Southeastern), Brazil. The 1:25 cutoff value was chosen to maximize sensitivity of the test. IgG antibodies against S. neurona were detected in 239 horses (69.88%), whereas IgG antibodies against S. falcatula-like were detected in 177 horses (51.75%). Sera from 132 horses (38.59%) reacted against both isolates. Absence of reactivity was evidenced in 58/342 horses (16.95%). The lower cutoff used, and the presence of opossums infected with S. falcatula-like and Sarcocystis spp. in the regions where the horses were sampled, might justify the high seroprevalence observed here. Owing to the similarity among antigens targeted in immunoassays, reports on S. neurona-seropositive horses in Brazil may also derive from the exposure of horses to other Sarcocystis species. The role of other Sarcocystis species in causing neurological diseases in horses in Brazil remains unclear.

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“…In a serological survey performed with Brazilian horses from several states, the overall frequency of S. neurona antibodies was 69.6% (669/961) using an ELISA with SAG4 as antigen (40). Interestingly, in two recent seroepidemiological studies in Brazil using IFAT, frequencies of antibodies to the parasite were 26% (n = 506) in Minas Gerais (48), and 2.8% (n = 427) in the state of Alagoas (49); in these two studies, North American isolates of S. neurona were used with a 1:80 cutoff. In the present study, we detected 17.1% (n = 409) of seropositive animals by IFAT using S. neurona as antigen and 1:20 as cutoff.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reactivity of Horse Sera to Antigens Derived From Sarcocystis falcatula–Like and Sarcocystis neurona

et al. 2020

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Sarcocystis neurona and Sarcocystis falcatula are protozoan parasites endemic to the Americas. The former is the major cause of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, and the latter is associated with pulmonary sarcocystosis in birds. The opossum Didelphis virginiana is the definitive host of these parasites in North America. Four Didelphis species are found in Brazil, and in most reports in this country, Sarcocystis species shed by opossums have been classified as S. falcatula-like. It is unknown whether reports on S. neurona-seropositive horses in Brazil are also derived from exposure of horses to S. falcatula-like. The aim of this study was to test the sera reactivity of 409 horses in Brazil using antigens derived from a Brazilian strain of S. falcatula-like (Sarco-BA1) and from a North American strain of S. neurona (SN138). Samples were examined by immunofluorescent antibody tests (IFATs) at start dilutions of 1:20, and a selected number of samples was tested by Western blot (WB). Sera from 43/409 (10.5%) horses were reactive to S. falcatula-like and 70 of 409 (17.1%) were reactive to S. neurona antigen; sera from 25 animals (6.1%) were positive for both parasites by IFAT. A poor agreement was observed between the two employed IFATs (κ = 0.364), indicating that horses were exposed to more than one Sarcocystis species. Horse sera evaluated by WB consisted of four sera reactive to S. falcatula-like by IFAT, six sera positive to S. neurona by IFAT, two sera that tested negative to both parasites by IFAT, and a negative control horse serum from New Zealand. Proteins in the range of 16 and 30 kDa were recognized by part of IFAT-positive sera using both antigen preparations. We concluded that Brazilian horses are exposed to distinct Sarcocystis species that generate different serological responses in exposed animals. Antigens in the range of 16 and 30 kDa are probably homologous in the two parasites. Exposure of the tested horses to other Sarcocystis species, such as Sarcocystis lindsayi, Sarcocystis speeri, and Sarcocystis fayeri, or Sarcocystis bertrami cannot be excluded in the current study.

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Low prevalence of infection by Sarcocystis neurona in horses from the State of Alagoas, Brazil

Cited by 6 publications

References 17 publications

Sarcocystis neurona, seroprevalence of antibodies in equines and research of oocystis in opossum in Ilhéus - Itabuna microregion, Bahia, Brazil

Sarcocystis neurona, seroprevalence of antibodies in equines and research of oocystis in opossum in Ilhéus - Itabuna microregion, Bahia, Brazil

Reactivity against Sarcocystis neurona and Sarcocystis falcatula-like in horses from Southeastern and Midwestern Brazil

Reactivity of Horse Sera to Antigens Derived From Sarcocystis falcatula–Like and Sarcocystis neurona

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