Comparison between the serologic status of congenitally infected foals and/or not with Neospora in the first year of life
Keywords:
Indirect immunofluorescence, equine, horizontal transmissionAbstract
Protozoa of the genus Neospora acquired great importance to be incriminated as a major
cause of abortion in cattle in some regions of the planet, thus joining in relevant pathogens
group in veterinary medicine. Currently known are two potentially pathogenic species,
namely N. hughesi and N. caninum. The first kind is related to neurological disorders in foals
and the second competes as a possible cause of abortion also in horses. Two are known forms
of transmission of this Apicomplexa, vertical or placenta and the horizontal. Known factors
related to the parasite and the host interfere with the efficiency of both the infection and the
manufacture of an effective immune response, culminating in the production of specific
antibodies to challenging immunogen. In this sense, the present study was to ascertain
whether the immunoglobulins produced by the fetus still in its intrauterine life through
endogenous challenge, persist in your body in its first year of life. Therefore, we used as a
means of diagnosis for antibodies via Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA). Was conducted
serological monitoring of congenitally infected foals and free of Neospora spp. birth until
they fulfilled: 12 months of age. It was found that 40% of congenitally infected foals had
IgG against Neospora spp. at 12 months, and among seronegative foals at birth 28%
produced specific IgG to the end of their first year of life. These results indicate that the
presence of specific anti-Neospora spp. immunoglobulins. the end of the first year of foals,
independent of maternal HIV status, indicating that the horizontal infection pathway is
important for horses.
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