Vertical transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected ewes in the semiarid region of Brazil. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Costa, Flávia T.R.; Nogueira, Denise B.; Oliveira, Maria A.G.; Silva, Samara S.; Silva, Rômulo F.; Sarmento, Wlysse F.; Azevedo, Sérgio S.; Gennari, Solange M.; Pena, Hilda F.J.; Brasil, Arthur W.L.; Vilela, Vinícius L.R.; Feitosa, Thais F.
• Is Part Of: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. Volume 74(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Colostrum -- Lambs -- IFAT -- Toxoplasmosis -- Transplacental; Communicable diseases in animals -- Periodicals; Veterinary immunology -- Periodicals; Veterinary microbiology -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- immunology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- veterinary -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Maladies infectieuses -- Périodiques; Communicable diseases; Immunology; Microbiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.08969
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101595
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-9571

Abstract

Highlights: The first study about vertical transmission in offspring born from naturally seroreagent sheep in Brazil. 13.3 % of vertical transmission of Toxoplasma gondii occurred in naturally seropositive pregnant ewes. 48 % offspring showed colostral antibodies within 48 h after birth and 20 % continued with these antibodies until the 56th. Ewes with higher antibody titers presented greater likelihood of colostral antibodies detection in their offspring lambs. Abstract: To evaluate transplacental transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected ewes, blood samples were collected from 55 pregnant ewes and their offspring, before ingestion of colostrum. From 16 offspring of positive ewes and nine offspring from negative ewes, blood samples were obtained after 48 h and 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days after birth. T. gondii antibodies were detected in serum samples using the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT ≥ 64). Four of the 30 positive ewes (13.3 %) had offspring positive for T. gondii before ingesting colostrum (vertical transmission). The colostrum antibody titers decreased every week, and only 20 % (2/10) of the lambs in continued to present detectable antibody titers until day 56 after birth. Therefore, vertical transmission of T. gondii in lambs was indication of occur and is an important route for transferring and maintaining the agent in sheep herds in the Brazilian semiarid region.