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Title: NEOSPORA CANINUM ANTIBODIES IN WILD CARNIVORES FROM SPAIN

Author
item SOBRINO, R - IREC CIUDAD REAL,SPAIN
item Dubey, Jitender
item PABON, M - AUB BARCELONA,SPAIN
item LINAREZ, N - AUB BARCELONA,SPAIN
item Kwok, Oliver
item MILLAN, J - CSIC SEVILLE,SPAIN
item ARNAL, M.C - SEDIFAS ZARAGOZA,SPAIN
item LUCO, D.F - SEDIFAS ZARAGOZA,SPAIN
item LOPEZ-GATIUS, F - DAP UNIV LLEIDA,SPAIN
item THULLIEZ, P - IDP PARIS,FRANCE
item GORTAZAR, C - IREC CIUDAD REAL,SPAIN
item ALMERIA, S - CRESA BARCELONA,SPAIN

Submitted to: Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/20/2008
Publication Date: 8/1/2008
Citation: Sobrino, R., Dubey, J.P., Pabon, M., Linarez, N., Kwok, O.C., Millan, J., Arnal, M., Luco, D., Lopez-Gatius, F., Thulliez, P., Gortazar, C., Almeria, S. 2008. Neospora caninum antibodies in wild carnivores from spain. Veterinary Parasitology. 155:190-197.

Interpretive Summary: Neospora caninum is a single-celled parasite. It causes abortion in cattle and paralysis in companion animals. It is the most important cause of abortion in dairy cattle. Dogs and coyotes are its definitive hosts and main reservoirs of infection. This parasite is transmitted efficiently from the cow to the calf transplacentally.Scientist at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and a university in Spain report prevalence of Neospora antibodies in wild life in Spain and discuss the sylvatic cycle of Neospora..The results will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, and veterinarians

Technical Abstract: Serum samples from 251 wild carnivores from different regions of Spain were tested for antibodies to Neospora caninum by the commercial competitive screening enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) and confirmed by Neospora agglutination test (NAT) and/or by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Samples with antibodies detected by at least two serological tests were considered seropositive. Antibodies to N. caninum were found in 3.2% of 95 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes); in 21.4% of 28 wolves (Canis lupus); in 12.0% of 25 Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus); in 16.7% of 6 European wildcats (Felis silvestris); in 6.4% of 31 Eurasian badgers (Meles meles); in 21.4% of 14 stone martens (Martes foina); in 66.7% of 3 pine martens (M. martes) and in 50% of 2 polecats (Mustela putorius). Antibodies to N. caninum in common genets (Genetta genetta) and Egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon) were only observed by c-ELISA but were not confirmed by IFAT and/or NAT. No antibodies were detected in 5 Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) by any technique. Statistically significant differences were observed among species and among geographical areas. The highest seroprevalence of N. caninum infection was observed in the Cantabric Coastal region characterized by high humidity. To our knowledge, this is the first report of antibodies to N. caninum in free ranging wild carnivores, other than wild canids, in Europe. The existence of a possible sylvatic cycle could have important implications in both sylvatic and domestic cycles since they might influence the prevalence of infection in cattle farms in those areas.