<i>Neospora caninum</i> and <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> antibodies in red foxes (<i>Vulpes vulpes</i>) in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Introduction and objective. Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are worldwide spread parasites, causing serious illnesses in sensitive animals; toxoplasmosis is also important zoonosis. Although neosporosis is not considered as a zoonosis, it leads to aborted births in cattle, as well as paresis and paralysis in dogs. Objective. The aim of this study was to discover the prevalence of N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the Czech Republic. Materials and method. Sera of 80 foxes from 8 regions of the Czech Republic were tested for antibodies to N. caninum and T. gondii by competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) and indirect ELISA. All samples were simultaneously tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to detect both N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies. Results. Antibodies to N. caninum were found by IFAT in 3 (3.8%) red foxes with titre 50 and in 2 (2.5%) red foxes with inhibition 42.7% and 30.2 %. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in all tested animals in both IFAT (titres 50-6400) and in ELISA (S/P ranging from 34%-133%). Conclusion. This is the first prevalence study of N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies in red foxes in the Czech Republic. The results obtained show that red foxes are exposed at different levels to both protozoan infections, and thus could play an important role in the transmission cycle of N. caninum and T. gondii in sylvatic cycle.

Infectious Causation of Abnormal Host Behavior: Toxoplasma gondii and Its Potential Association With Dopey Fox Syndrome

“…The red fox Vulpes vulpes may provide key research opportunities to further understand the impact of T. gondii (and co-infecting neurotropic pathogens) on the behavior of longer-lived hosts for several reasons. Wild foxes often have high seroprevalences of T. gondii with for example, 35% seroprevalence found in populations in Austria (52) and 100% in Czech Republic (53). This is consistent with high levels of exposure to the parasite often seen in human populations: for example in Brazil, human population seroprevalence can reach up to 80-90% (54,55), in France 89% (56) and in Northern Ireland 85% (57).…”

Pathological findings in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), stone marten (Martes foina) and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), with special emphasis on infectious and zoonotic agents in Northern Germany

“…An etiological differential diagnosis for non-suppurative or granulomatous inflammation within the CNS are specific bacteria or several protozoal or fungal organisms, most importantly Listeria monocytogenes , Neospora caninum , Toxoplasma gondii and Enzephalitozoon cuniculi [48, 84–86]. All animals were immunohistochemically negative for Listeria monocytogenes , Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii .…”

“…This could either be explained by the fact that the mentioned agents are not endemic in this area or that they are not present in the tissue any longer. Interestingly, in bordering areas of northern Germany the prevalence for specific agents like Toxoplasma gondii or Encephalitozoon cuniculi in the red fox population is high [84, 86, 87]. This might thus represent an interesting topic for further specific studies dealing with bacterial and protozoal infections in wild predators and their potentially infected intermediate hosts in this region.…”

“…This might thus represent an interesting topic for further specific studies dealing with bacterial and protozoal infections in wild predators and their potentially infected intermediate hosts in this region. [84, 86, 87]…”

Serological study of Neospora caninum in dogs and wildlife in a nature conservation area in southern Portugal

“…The percentage of infection found in foxes in the present study (12%) is higher than that reported in most studies carried out in Europe. Thus, studies using the IFAT recorded infection rates between 0•9 and 4•4% in foxes in Britain (Hamilton et al 2005), Czech Republic (Bártová et al 2016), Ireland (Murphy et al 2007) and Spain (Sobrino et al 2008), while studies carried out by ELISA showed a prevalence of 1•5% in Hungary (Jakubek et al 2007) and absence of infection among 221 foxes sampled in different parts of Sweden (Jakubek et al 2001). However, in some areas, exposure of foxes to N. caninum may be high, as shown by the prevalence of 69•8% determined by the N-MAT in the Spanish Pyrenees (Marco et al 2008).…”