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Title: SEROPREVALENCE OF NEOSPORA CANINUM AND TOXOPLASMA GONDII ANTIBODIES IN THE SOUTH AMERICAN OPOSSUM (DIDELPHIS MARSUPIALIS) FROM THE CITY OF SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

Author
item YAI, L - UNIV DE SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
item CANON-FRANCO, W - UNIV DE SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
item GERALDI, V - MUNICIPIO DE SAO PAULO,BZ
item SUMMA, M - MUNICIPIO DE SAO PAULO,BZ
item CAMARGO, M - APDL,ARS,USDA,BELTSVILLE
item Dubey, Jitender
item GENNARI, S - UNIV DE SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/30/2003
Publication Date: 9/20/2003
Citation: Yai, L.E.O., Canon-Franco, W.A., Geraldi, V.C., Summa, M.E.L., Camargo, M.C.G.O., Dubey, J.P., Gennari, S.M. 2003. Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the South American opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) from the city of Sao Paolo, Brazil. Journal of Parasitology. 89:870-871.

Interpretive Summary: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are single-celled parasites that cause mortality in livestock. Little is known of their prevalence in the South American opossum, Didelphis marsupialis. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil report T. gondii and N. caninum infections in D. marsupialis for the first time. These results will be of interest to biologists, veterinarians and parasitologists.

Technical Abstract: Antibodies to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii were assayed in sera of 396 opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) from the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Antibodies to N. caninum were assayed with the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies (IFAT, '1:25) to N. caninum were found in 84 of 396 (21.2 %) D. marsupialis in titers of 1:25 in 46, 1:50 in 20, 1:100 in 17, and 1:400 in 1. Antibodies to T. gondii were assayed with the modified agglutination test (MAT), and the IFAT. Antibodies to T. gondii (MAT, ' 1:25) were found in 82 (20.4%) of the 396 sera, in titers of 1:25 in 24, 1:50 in 26, 1:100 in 18, 1:200 in 13, and 1:800 in 1 opossum. The IFAT antibodies to T. gondii were found 148 of 396 (37.3 %) opossums, in titers of 1:16 in 41, 1:32 in 23, 1:64 in13, 1:128 in 6, 1:256 in 20, 1:512 in 17, 1:1,024 in 10, 1:2,048 in 10, 1:4,096 in 7, and 1:8,192 in 1. This is the first report of N. caninum and T. gondii infections in D. marsupialis.