title: EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEMS AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON TOXOPLASMA GONDII AND NEOSPORA CANINUM INFECTIONS IN WILD RUMINANTS IN SPAIN.
abstract: Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are two major abortifacient protozoans in domestic small ruminants and cattle, respectively, and they also parasitize a wide range of wildlife. Numerous serosurveys have been conducted in wild ruminants worldwide. However, the potential effect of different ecosystems and management practices on these infections has not been investigated. We studied the prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum in wild ruminants between 2007 and 2012 from four national wildlife reserves: three open space reserves in northwest Spain (Ancares, Mampodre, and Riaño) and a fenced reserve in central Spain (Quintos de Mora). Sera from roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) and chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra ) were collected in Ancares (roe deer), Mampodre (both species), and Riaño (both species), whereas red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) sera were collected only in Quintos de Mora. The results of immunofluorescence antibody tests showed a T. gondii antibody prevalence significantly higher in red deer (13%; 17/131) than in roe deer (2%; 5/228) and chamois (4%; 6/149) (P<0.05, Fisher's exact test). Moreover, N. caninum -specific antibodies were only detected in 1% of animals (2/131 red deer, 2/228 roe deer, and 2/149 chamois). Management measures were implemented in the Quintos de Mora reserve and T. gondii antibody prevalence in red deer decreased from 13% to 2% after 5 yr. In contrast, N. caninum antibody prevalences were very low (<2%) over the years. The results suggest a low frequency of sylvatic life cycles in the hunting reservations studied, so interconnection between sylvatic and domestic life cycles is unlikely. Regardless, a sustainable exploitation of natural resources in wildlife reserves may help to reduce the prevalence of T. gondii infection.
authors.affiliation: 1   Zoetis, Av. Europa 20B, Alcobendas, 28108 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: San Miguel
authors.affiliation: 2   Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Expósito
authors.affiliation: 2   Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aguado-Martínez
authors.affiliation: 2   Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: González-Zotes
authors.affiliation: 3   Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of León, 24071 León, Spain.
authors.forename: Juana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pereira-Bueno
authors.affiliation: 2   Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gómez-Bautista
authors.affiliation: 3   Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of León, 24071 León, Spain.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rubio
authors.affiliation: 2   Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ortega-Mora
authors.affiliation: 2   Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Collantes-Fernández
authors.affiliation: 2   Salud Veterinaria y Zoonosis, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Gema
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Álvarez-García
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003670:Deer / Q000469:parasitology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D018688:Neospora; D012418:Ruminants / Q000469:parasitology*; D048608:Rupicapra / Q000469:parasitology*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014122:Toxoplasma; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*
keywords: Chamois; Neospora caninum; Spanish wildlife reserves; Toxoplasma gondii; management measures; red deer; roe deer; seroprevalence