title: Embryonated pigeon eggs as a model to investigate Neospora caninum infection.
abstract: It has been shown that embryonated chicken eggs can be used as animal models for experimental infections. The aim of the present study was to investigate pigeon embryonated eggs as animal models for experimental neosporosis. An infection with Neospora caninum Nc1 isolate was conducted in chicken and pigeon embryonated eggs to evaluate LD50. After calculation of LD50, 2LD50 of tachyzoites were injected into the eggs. Macroscopic changes of each embryo were observed, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular methods were used to investigate the parasitic distribution in the tissues. In the present study, histopathological changes were considered, and sections of those used for histopathological examination including the heart, liver, brain and chorioallantoic (CA) membrane were also subjected to IHC. Pigeon embryos showed more macroscopic changes than chicken embryos. A hemorrhage of the CA membrane was the main gross lesion. Microscopic examination of tissues revealed acute neosporosis due to hemorrhage, necrosis and infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells. Based on IHC and molecular results, the parasite DNA was detected in the liver, heart and CA membrane. As with chicken embryonated eggs, these results reinforce the susceptibility of pigeon embryonated eggs to N. caninum, and provide new insights into using an inexpensive and available animal model for N. caninum research. The results of the present study suggest that pigeon embryos may be a good choice for studying the biology of N. caninum in living organisms.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Somayeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bahrami
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Annahita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rezaie
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Boroomand
authors.affiliation: 4 Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Namavari
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Sepideh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghavami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D002645:Chickens; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010856:Columbidae; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D018688:Neospora / Q000502:physiology*; D010063:Ovum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000469:parasitology
keywords: Neospora caninum; chicken embryonated egg; pigeon embryonated egg