Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Neospora caninum (N. caninum) are structurally similar apicomplexan protozoas which can cause neuromuscular disease and abortion in different animal species. Considering the importance of public health and lack of epidemiological data on the seroprevalence of two parasites in Tarim red deer (Cervus elaphus yarkandensis), a total of 218 serum samples collected from farmed Tarim red deer in Xinjiang province, Northwest China were detected for antibodies to T. gondii by Modified Agglutination Test (MAT) and to N. caninum by competitive-inhibition Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA). The prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum were 12.84% (28/218) and 8.00% (17/218) in serum samples examined, respectively. The co-prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum was also detected in sera (2.75%, 6/218). Statistically significant differences in prevalence were observed among different sampling sites and between the individuals with abortion and no abortion experience (p<0.05). The results showed that there exist T. gondii and N. caninum infection in Tarim red deer. It was the first survey of T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies in Tarim red deer which suggested that toxoplasmosis and neosporosis may be two important causes of abortive diseases in Tarim red deer.
Q.L. Meng, J. Qiao, W.S. Wang, C.F. Chen, Z.C. Zhang, K.J. Cai, X.P. Cai, G.F. Tian, Z.Z. Tian and L.H. Yang, 2012. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Tarim Red Deer (Cervus elaphus yarkandensis) from Xinjiang Province, Northwest China. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 912-915.