Open AccessSerological survey of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in shelter-housed cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus, Brazil
Author(s) -
Archivaldo Reche-Júnior,
Alexandre Gonçalves Teixeira Daniel,
Bruna Stefania Tadini,
Erica Santana,
Kilder Dantas Filgueira,
Rosalia Gargano,
Fábio P. Sellera,
Hilda Fátima de Jesus Pena,
Solange María Gennari
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
brazilian journal of veterinary research and animal science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.187
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1678-4456
pISSN - 1413-9596
DOI - 10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2022.189444
Subject(s) - neospora caninum , toxoplasma gondii , feline immunodeficiency virus , cats , virology , serology , biology , toxoplasmosis , antibody , immunology , medicine , virus , lentivirus , viral disease
Felines play a leading role in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection, but there is scarce information about the epidemiology of Neospora caninum, particularly in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected cats. Cats seropositive to T. gondii do not usually show symptoms unless they are immunosuppressed, such as FIV-infected cats. The same relationship remains poorly known for N. caninum, although it has been associated with neurological disorders in HIV-infected people. Since FIV-infected cats are prone to develop encephalitis of unknown etiology, this study aimed to evaluate the presence of specific antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum in a shelter for stray cats naturally infected with FIV. A total of 104 serum samples from cats living in a shelter, located in São Paulo city (Brazil), was assessed for T. gondii and N. caninum specific antibody by indirect fluorescent-antibody test (IFAT). Of the 104 cats, 25 (24%) were infected with FIV and, aside from these, 8 (32%) had antibodies against T. gondii (titers from 16 to 128). Only 1 (4%) of the FIV infected cats had antibodies against N. caninum, which was the first record of coinfection. Among the FIV-naïve cats, 11 (14%) were positive for T. gondii (titers from 16 to 256) and only 1 (1.2%) had antibodies against N. caninum. Serologically positive reactions to T. gondii and N. caninum were not correlated with age or sex (p>0.05), and there was no correlation between FIV and the occurrence of anti-T. gondii or anti-N. caninum antibodies (p>0.05). Further studies encompassing larger cat populations from different origins and locations are essential to clarify the prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies in FIV-positive cats.