article · Animals
This study investigated the prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Brucella spp. in sheep and goats in Egypt to understand the epidemiological situation of these abortion-causing diseases. Researchers tested 360 serum samples from animals with and without a history of abortion using commercial ELISA kits. The findings revealed high seropositivity rates for T. gondii (46.1%), N. caninum (11.9%), and Brucella spp. (8.6%). Mixed infections were also common, including triple infections in some animals. Notably, animals with a history of abortion showed a significantly higher seroprevalence for Brucella spp. infection compared to those without, suggesting brucellosis as a potential cause of abortion in this population. The high prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies indicates a need for further research.
These findings are important for understanding the spread of diseases that cause abortions in livestock, leading to significant economic losses for farmers. Since toxoplasmosis and brucellosis can also spread to humans through food, this research helps identify risks to public health and informs disease control strategies in animal populations.
The abstract focuses on epidemiological understanding and identifying disease prevalence. It does not indicate a direct application pathway, specific user, or readiness level for commercialisation. The findings could, however, inform the development of improved diagnostic tools or targeted vaccination programmes for these pathogens in livestock, but this is not explicitly stated.
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Toxoplasmosis, neosporosis, and brucellosis are devastating diseases causing infectious abortion and, therefore, substantial economic losses in farm animals. Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are caused by the intracellular protozoan parasites Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Neospora caninum (N. caninum), respectively. Brucellosis is a bacterial disease caused by numerous Brucella species in multiple hosts. Toxoplasmosis and brucellosis are also considered foodborne zoonotic diseases. In the current study, specific antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum, in addition to those to Brucella spp., were detected to gain a better understanding of the epidemiological situation for these three pathogens. Sheep and goat sera from Egypt (n = 360) of animals with and without a history of abortion were tested using commercial ELISAs. Seropositivity rates of 46.1%, 11.9%, and 8.6% for T. gondii, N. caninum, and Brucella spp., respectively, were revealed. Mixed infections with T. gondii and Brucella spp. (4.4%), T. gondii and N. caninum (4.2%), N. caninum and Brucella spp. (1.4%), and even some triple infections (0.6%) have been observed. Animals with a history of abortion had a significantly higher seroprevalence for Brucella spp. infection than those without abortion (12.6%; 28/222 vs. 2.2%; 3/138) (p = 0.0005; Odds ratio = 1.9–21.8), while none of the other pathogens showed a similar effect. This result suggests brucellosis as a possible cause of abortion in the study population. However, the high seroprevalence for T. gondii and N. caninum revealed in our study warrants further investigations.
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DOI: 10.3390/ani12233327
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