Induced transplacental transmission of Neospora caninum in cattle.

Three Jersey cows were inoculated SC and IM with 26 million Neospora caninum tachyzoites at 129 (cow 1), 126 (cow 2), and 81 (cow 3) days after mating. Cows remained clinically normal for at least 1 month after inoculation of N caninum. Cow 1 was euthanatized 32 days after inoculation because of gangrenous mastitis. Cow 1 had a live fetus with no gross lesions; however, microscopic lesions were seen in the fetus and consisted of severe nonsuppurative necrotizing encephalitis of the cerebral white matter. Neospora caninum was identified in lesions by staining with anti-N caninum serum in an immunohistochemical test, by bioassays in mice, and by inoculation of bovine monocyte cultures with fetal tissue homogenate. Neither N caninum nor lesions were associated with infection with the protozoon identified in tissues of cow 1. Cows 2 and 3 aborted small autolysed fetuses 101 and 74 days, respectively, after inoculation with N caninum; the fetuses and attached placenta were unsuitable for laboratory investigations. Cows 2 and 3 remained clinically normal 4 months after abortion. Results of this study indicated that N caninum can be transmitted transplacentally in cattle.     

Clinical neosporosis in a 4-week-old Hereford calf.

Most reports of neosporosis associated with abortion in cattle are in dairy cattle and infected calves do not survive beyond 7 days of age. This paper reports neosporosis in a 4-week-old Hereford calf. The calf was full term and appeared clinically normal at birth. At 2 weeks of age, the calf had weakened and was unable to nurse unassisted. The calf was killed at 4 weeks because of paralysis. The primary lesions were in the brain and were associated with Neospora caninum tachyzoites. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining with anti-Neospora rabbit serum.     

Toxoplasma gondii-induced abortion in sheep

Twenty-nine of 200 (14.5%) ewes on a farm in Cobleskill, NY aborted or had dead lambs during the lambing seasons of 1985 and 1986. Thirteen of 15 ewes that aborted had high Toxoplasma gondii antibody titers (1,024), via the modified agglutination test, and T gondii was isolated from the tissues of 1 fetus. In the 1987 lambing season, 5 ewes aborted, but not because of T gondii infection. Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were detected in 73.8% of sera obtained from 592 ewes in January 1987, indicating enzootic toxoplasmosis on this farm. Seropositivity increased with age; 40.2% of 1-year-old ewes had detectable antibody vs 89.2% of 2-year-old ewes.     

Placental transfer of specific antibodies during ovine congenital toxoplasmosis

The passage of non-Toxoplasma antibodies from dam to fetus through damaged placenta was studied in sheep inoculated with Toxoplasma gondii. Six ewes were inoculated with chicken globulins and Leptospira bacterins 2 months before oral inoculation with Toxoplasma gondii oocysts. Ewes were euthanatized between 42 and 62 days after T gondii inoculation. Antibody titers against chicken globulins, Leptospira spp, Haemonchus contortus, Sarcocystis spp, and T gondii were measured in the maternal and fetal sera. All ewes became infected with T gondii and had grossly visible necrotic foci in the placentas, and T gondii antibodies were found in the fetuses and the ewes. Appreciable amounts of antibodies to Haemonchus contortus, Sarcocystis sp, Leptospira spp, and chicken globulins did not cross the placental barrier. Seemingly, serologic examination of the fetus was reliable for the diagnosis of ovine congential toxoplasmosis.     

Experimental Paragonimus kellicotti infection in dogs

The life cycle of Paragonimus kellicotti was studied in dogs fed 25 or 50 metacercariae obtained from the hearts of naturally infected crayfish. Young flukes excysted in the intestines and appeared in the peritoneal cavity within 7–14 days after inoculation (DAI) and in the pleural cavity from 7 to 43 DAI. Immature flukes penetrated the pulmonary parenchyma between 7 and 10 DAI and became sexually mature between 28 and 35 DAI. Virtually all growth of the flukes occurred in the lungs. Eggs first appeared in feces 30 DAI. Pulmonary lesions were caused by the penetration and growth of flukes and the lesions were first detected by thoracic radiography 3 weeks after inoculation. Clinical signs were generally mild and consisted of an intermittent cough. Two dogs died suddenly of pneumothorax due to the rupture of cysts 32 and 35 DAI, respectively.