Loss of infectivity of Neospora caninum oocysts maintained for a prolonged time.
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sporulated Neospora caninum oocysts, which had been stored for 46 mo in a 2% sulfuric acid solution at 4 degrees C, remain morphologically viable and infective to gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Six gerbils were orally inoculated with doses of 400 or 1,200 oocysts. Two mo after inoculation, the animals did not show any clinical signs, had no histological lesions, and were seronegative for N. caninum at 1: 50 in an immunofluorescent antibody test. PCR using the brain from each gerbil did not reveal N. caninum specific DNA. We conclude that oocysts preserved for 46 mo are not infective, despite being morphologically intact.
Uzeda
Rosangela Soares
RS
Universidade Federal da Bahia, Escola de Medicina Veterinaria, Departamento de Patologia e Clinicas, Avenida Ademar de Barros, 500, Ondina, Salvador, Bahia, 40170-110, Brazil.
Costa
Kattyanne De Souza
Kde S
Santos
Sara Lima
SL
Pinheiro
Alexandre Moraes
AM
De Almeida
Maria Angela Ornelas
MA
McAllister
Milton M
MM
Gondim
Luis Fernando Pita
LF
D000143:Acids; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D002417:Cattle / Q000469:parasitology; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005849:Gerbillinae / Q000469:parasitology*; D018688:Neospora / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D033661:Oocysts / Q000254:growth & development*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012034:Refrigeration; D014774:Virulence
D000143:Acids