Neospora and Sarcocystis

Question 1

Definitive host(s) of Neospora caninum?

Answer 1

dogs and coyotes

Question 2

Main effect of Neospora in dogs?

Answer 2

fatal neuromuscular disease

Question 3

Main effect of Neospora in cattle?

Answer 3

reproductive failure and abortion

Question 4

Coccidia?

Answer 4

obligate intracellular parasite

Question 5

Predominant route of Neospora transmission?

Answer 5

congenital

occurs in dogs, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, cats, mice, monkeys

Question 6

Neospora pathogenesis

Answer 6

host cell destroyed by tachyzoites resulting in focal areas of necrosis, non-suppurative inflammation

Question 7

Cattle Neosporosis

Answer 7

abortion/stillbirths, live calves may have other neuro problems or break the cycle and be free of infection

Question 8

Dog Neosporosis

Answer 8

often subclinical, but main sign is progressive paralysis, beginning with the hindlimbs and working its way up, trouble swallowing (dysphagia)

Question 9

Dog Neosporosis Age of Onset

Answer 9

young puppies below 6 months of age (most often 3-9 weeks)

Question 10

Neospora Diagnosis

Answer 10

Antibodies in serum or CSF in dogs, fetal fluids in cattle

shedding of oocysts is sporadic and inconsistent

Question 11

Treatment for Cattle Neosporosis

Answer 11

cull

Question 12

Treatment for Dog Neosporosis

Answer 12

limited options (sulfonamides, pyrimethamine, clindamycin), older pups (>4months) respond better

Question 13

Is sarcocystis a coccidian protozoa?

Answer 13

yes

Question 14

How many species of Sarcocystis are there?

Answer 14

so damn many (hundreds)

Question 15

Definitive host of sarcocystis?

Answer 15

dogs

Question 16

Intermediate host of Sarcocystis

Answer 16

cattle, sheep, pig, horse

Question 17

How are dogs infected with Sarcocystis?

Answer 17

they ingest an intermediate host (usually infected muscle tissues)

Question 18

How are intermediate hosts infected with Sarcocystis?

Answer 18

they pick up oocysts in feces (fecal-oral)

Question 19

Sarcocystis cruzi species?

Answer 19

cattle

Question 20

Sarcocystis ariticanis and tenella species?

Answer 20

sheep

Question 21

Sarcocystis porcifelis species?

Answer 21

pigs

Question 22

Sarcocystis neurona species affected?

Answer 22

HORSES

Question 23

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)

Answer 23

caused by Sarcocystis neurona, resulting in non-suppurative necrotizing lesions in spinal cord, brain, and meninges –> stumbling, dragging limbs, intermittent lameness, dysphagia, etc

Question 24

Definitive host of Sarcocystis neurona?

Answer 24

POSSUMS, the adorable little devils pass oocysts in their feces

Question 25

Distribution of Sarcocystis neurona?

Answer 25

the Americas; cases are still sporadic and many horses (30-50%) have antibodies

Question 26

Diagnosis of Sarcocystis?

Answer 26

look for “packs” of cysts in muscle tissue, or multinucleate schizonts in endothelial cells; can also analyze Ab in CSF sample in horses; possum feces if known contact

Question 27

Only approved drug for Sarcocystis treatment?

Answer 27

ponazuril! (Marquis)

Question 28

After treatment, can horses relapse?

Answer 28

YES especially if initial treatment was of insufficient duration