Serological survey of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in shelter-housed cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus, Brazil

Authors

  • Archivaldo Reche-Júnior Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Médica https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6288-4329
  • Alexandre Gonçalves Teixeira Daniel Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Médica
  • Bruna Stefania Tadini Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Médica
  • Erica Santana Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Médica
  • Kilder Dantas Filgueira Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Médica https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1619-0190
  • Ronaldo Gomes Gargano Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Médica https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8279-8930
  • Fábio Parra Sellera Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Clínica Médica https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4725-0125
  • Hilda Fátima de Jesus Pena Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal
  • Solange Maria Gennari Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal ; Universidade Santo Amaro, Bem Estar Animal e Saude Única, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2022.189444

Keywords:

Neosporosis, Toxoplasmosis, Feline, FIV, Zoonosis

Abstract

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.

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2022-03-25

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Vol. 59 (2022)

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How to Cite

1.
Reche-Júnior A, Daniel AGT, Tadini BS, Santana E, Filgueira KD, Gargano RG, et al. Serological survey of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in shelter-housed cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus, Brazil. Braz. J. Vet. Res. Anim. Sci. [Internet]. 2022 Mar. 25 [cited 2024 Apr. 16];59:e189444. Available from: https://www.revistas.usp.br/bjvras/article/view/189444