Neospora caninum is a cause of perinatal mortality in axis deer (Axis axis).

BASSO, W.; MORÉ, G.; QUIROGA, M.A.; BALDUCCHI D.; SCHARES, G.; VENTURINI, M.C.

VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2014 vol. 199 p. 255 - 258

0304-4017

Neospora caninum is a worldwide distributed protozoan that may cause neuromusculardisease in dogs and reproductive failure in domestic and wild ruminants. One axis fawn(Axis axis) and four neonates from the same deer herd died at a zoo in Argentina within afour-month period. The fawn presented with dilatation of the anal sphincter at birth andincontinence, developed weakness and ataxia and died at 14 days of age. At necropsy, a megaformation of the distal large intestine was observed. Microscopically, non-suppurativeencephalitis, suppurative bronchopneumonia, fibrin necrotic enteritis and degenerativechanges in the liver were observed in hematoxilin and eosin-stained tissue sections, andthick-walled N. caninum-like cysts were observed in fresh brain samples. Serologic studiesfor N. caninum revealed an IFAT titer of 1:6400 in the fawn and 1:25, 1:400, 1:3200 and1:6400 in the neonates. N. caninum DNA was detected in brain samples from the fawn andfrom one neonate by PCR, and the parasite was isolated in vitro from the fawn? brain afterpassage through gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) and gamma-interferon knock-out mice. N.caninum DNA obtained from the fawn, neonate and isolated parasites showed the samemicrosatellite pattern. This suggests a common infection source for both animals.The diagnosis of N. caninum infection was confirmed, suggesting its association withperinatal mortality in captive axis deer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reportof clinical disease associated to N. caninum infection in axis deer and of isolation of theparasite from this wild ruminant species.