Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in Italy

Autores
Castaldo, Elisa; Basso, Walter; Moré, Gastón Andrés; Ciaramelli, Alessia; D'Alessio, Nicola; Capasso, Michele; Sgroi, Giovanni; Tonon, Sara; Humak, Farwa; Gazzonis, Alessia; Schares, Gereon; Veneziano, Vincenzo
Año de publicación
2025
Idioma
inglés
Tipo de recurso
artículo
Estado
versión publicada
Descripción
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are worldwide distributed protozoa, recognized as major causes of economic losses in livestock production due to reproductive failure. Camelids can also serve as intermediate hosts for these protozoa. Research on these parasites in South American Camelids (SAC) in Europe is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and distribution of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in SAC in Italy and investigate risk factors for infection applying a structured online questionnaire filled in by owners. A total of 506 SAC sera (486 alpacas, Vicugna pacos, and 20 llamas, Lama glama) were tested to detect antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and results were confirmed with immunoblot. Seroprevalences of 34.8 % (176/506) for T. gondii, with 33.1 % (161/486) for alpacas and 75.0 % (15/20) for llamas, and 5.7 % (29/506) for N. caninum, with 5.6 % (27/486) for alpacas and 10.0 % (2/20) for llamas were found. Simultaneous presence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum was detected in 3.6 % (18/506) of the samples. The variables older age and llama species were identified as risk factors (p < 0.05) for T. gondii, while the presence of dogs and fertility disorders were associated with N. caninum seropositivity. This study provides the first large-scale serological evidence of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in alpacas and llamas in Italy, highlighting their widespread distribution and contributing valuable data to the national epidemiological scenario. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of these parasites as cause of abortion.
Fil: Castaldo, Elisa. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Italia
Fil: Basso, Walter. University Of Berne. Faculties Of Veterinary And Medicine. Institute Of Parasitology; Suiza
Fil: Moré, Gastón Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. University Of Berne. Faculties Of Veterinary And Medicine. Institute Of Parasitology; Suiza
Fil: Ciaramelli, Alessia. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Italia
Fil: D'Alessio, Nicola. No especifíca;
Fil: Capasso, Michele. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Italia
Fil: Sgroi, Giovanni. Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of southern Italy. Department Of Animal Health; Italia
Fil: Tonon, Sara. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana; Italia
Fil: Humak, Farwa. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Italia
Fil: Gazzonis, Alessia. Università degli Studi di Milano; Italia
Fil: Schares, Gereon. Friedrich-Loeffler Institut; Alemania
Fil: Veneziano, Vincenzo. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Italia
Materia
TOXOPLASMOSIS
NEOSPOROSIS
SOUTH AMERICAN CAMELIDS
SEROPREVALENCE
Nivel de accesibilidad
acceso abierto
Condiciones de uso
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ar/
Repositorio
CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Institución
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
OAI Identificador
oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/288734
Acceder
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oai_identifier_str oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/288734
network_acronym_str CONICETDig
repository_id_str 3498
network_name_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
spelling Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in ItalyCastaldo, ElisaBasso, WalterMoré, Gastón AndrésCiaramelli, AlessiaD'Alessio, NicolaCapasso, MicheleSgroi, GiovanniTonon, SaraHumak, FarwaGazzonis, AlessiaSchares, GereonVeneziano, VincenzoTOXOPLASMOSISNEOSPOROSISSOUTH AMERICAN CAMELIDSSEROPREVALENCEhttps://purl.org/becyt/ford/4.3https://purl.org/becyt/ford/4Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are worldwide distributed protozoa, recognized as major causes of economic losses in livestock production due to reproductive failure. Camelids can also serve as intermediate hosts for these protozoa. Research on these parasites in South American Camelids (SAC) in Europe is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and distribution of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in SAC in Italy and investigate risk factors for infection applying a structured online questionnaire filled in by owners. A total of 506 SAC sera (486 alpacas, Vicugna pacos, and 20 llamas, Lama glama) were tested to detect antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and results were confirmed with immunoblot. Seroprevalences of 34.8 % (176/506) for T. gondii, with 33.1 % (161/486) for alpacas and 75.0 % (15/20) for llamas, and 5.7 % (29/506) for N. caninum, with 5.6 % (27/486) for alpacas and 10.0 % (2/20) for llamas were found. Simultaneous presence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum was detected in 3.6 % (18/506) of the samples. The variables older age and llama species were identified as risk factors (p < 0.05) for T. gondii, while the presence of dogs and fertility disorders were associated with N. caninum seropositivity. This study provides the first large-scale serological evidence of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in alpacas and llamas in Italy, highlighting their widespread distribution and contributing valuable data to the national epidemiological scenario. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of these parasites as cause of abortion.Fil: Castaldo, Elisa. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; ItaliaFil: Basso, Walter. University Of Berne. Faculties Of Veterinary And Medicine. Institute Of Parasitology; SuizaFil: Moré, Gastón Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. University Of Berne. Faculties Of Veterinary And Medicine. Institute Of Parasitology; SuizaFil: Ciaramelli, Alessia. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; ItaliaFil: D'Alessio, Nicola. No especifíca;Fil: Capasso, Michele. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; ItaliaFil: Sgroi, Giovanni. Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of southern Italy. Department Of Animal Health; ItaliaFil: Tonon, Sara. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana; ItaliaFil: Humak, Farwa. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; ItaliaFil: Gazzonis, Alessia. Università degli Studi di Milano; ItaliaFil: Schares, Gereon. Friedrich-Loeffler Institut; AlemaniaFil: Veneziano, Vincenzo. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; ItaliaElsevier2025-08info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501info:ar-repo/semantics/articuloapplication/pdfapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11336/288734Castaldo, Elisa; Basso, Walter; Moré, Gastón Andrés; Ciaramelli, Alessia; D'Alessio, Nicola; et al.; Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in Italy; Elsevier; Research in Veterinary Science; 192; 8-2025; 1-90034-5288CONICET DigitalCONICETenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0034528825002036info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1016/j.rvsc.2025.105729info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ar/reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas2026-06-17T09:40:11Zoai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/288734instacron:CONICETInstitucionalhttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/Organismo científico-tecnológicoNo correspondehttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/oai/requestdasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.arArgentinaNo correspondeNo correspondeNo correspondeopendoar:34982026-06-17 09:40:11.977CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicasfalse
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in Italy
title Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in Italy
spellingShingle Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in Italy
Castaldo, Elisa
TOXOPLASMOSIS
NEOSPOROSIS
SOUTH AMERICAN CAMELIDS
SEROPREVALENCE
title_short Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in Italy
title_full Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in Italy
title_fullStr Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in Italy
title_full_unstemmed Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in Italy
title_sort Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in Italy
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Castaldo, Elisa
Basso, Walter
Moré, Gastón Andrés
Ciaramelli, Alessia
D'Alessio, Nicola
Capasso, Michele
Sgroi, Giovanni
Tonon, Sara
Humak, Farwa
Gazzonis, Alessia
Schares, Gereon
Veneziano, Vincenzo
author Castaldo, Elisa
author_facet Castaldo, Elisa
Basso, Walter
Moré, Gastón Andrés
Ciaramelli, Alessia
D'Alessio, Nicola
Capasso, Michele
Sgroi, Giovanni
Tonon, Sara
Humak, Farwa
Gazzonis, Alessia
Schares, Gereon
Veneziano, Vincenzo
author_role author
author2 Basso, Walter
Moré, Gastón Andrés
Ciaramelli, Alessia
D'Alessio, Nicola
Capasso, Michele
Sgroi, Giovanni
Tonon, Sara
Humak, Farwa
Gazzonis, Alessia
Schares, Gereon
Veneziano, Vincenzo
author2_role author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv TOXOPLASMOSIS
NEOSPOROSIS
SOUTH AMERICAN CAMELIDS
SEROPREVALENCE
topic TOXOPLASMOSIS
NEOSPOROSIS
SOUTH AMERICAN CAMELIDS
SEROPREVALENCE
purl_subject.fl_str_mv https://purl.org/becyt/ford/4.3
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/4
dc.description.none.fl_txt_mv Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are worldwide distributed protozoa, recognized as major causes of economic losses in livestock production due to reproductive failure. Camelids can also serve as intermediate hosts for these protozoa. Research on these parasites in South American Camelids (SAC) in Europe is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and distribution of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in SAC in Italy and investigate risk factors for infection applying a structured online questionnaire filled in by owners. A total of 506 SAC sera (486 alpacas, Vicugna pacos, and 20 llamas, Lama glama) were tested to detect antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and results were confirmed with immunoblot. Seroprevalences of 34.8 % (176/506) for T. gondii, with 33.1 % (161/486) for alpacas and 75.0 % (15/20) for llamas, and 5.7 % (29/506) for N. caninum, with 5.6 % (27/486) for alpacas and 10.0 % (2/20) for llamas were found. Simultaneous presence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum was detected in 3.6 % (18/506) of the samples. The variables older age and llama species were identified as risk factors (p < 0.05) for T. gondii, while the presence of dogs and fertility disorders were associated with N. caninum seropositivity. This study provides the first large-scale serological evidence of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in alpacas and llamas in Italy, highlighting their widespread distribution and contributing valuable data to the national epidemiological scenario. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of these parasites as cause of abortion.
Fil: Castaldo, Elisa. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Italia
Fil: Basso, Walter. University Of Berne. Faculties Of Veterinary And Medicine. Institute Of Parasitology; Suiza
Fil: Moré, Gastón Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. University Of Berne. Faculties Of Veterinary And Medicine. Institute Of Parasitology; Suiza
Fil: Ciaramelli, Alessia. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Italia
Fil: D'Alessio, Nicola. No especifíca;
Fil: Capasso, Michele. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Italia
Fil: Sgroi, Giovanni. Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of southern Italy. Department Of Animal Health; Italia
Fil: Tonon, Sara. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana; Italia
Fil: Humak, Farwa. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Italia
Fil: Gazzonis, Alessia. Università degli Studi di Milano; Italia
Fil: Schares, Gereon. Friedrich-Loeffler Institut; Alemania
Fil: Veneziano, Vincenzo. Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II; Italia
description Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are worldwide distributed protozoa, recognized as major causes of economic losses in livestock production due to reproductive failure. Camelids can also serve as intermediate hosts for these protozoa. Research on these parasites in South American Camelids (SAC) in Europe is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and distribution of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in SAC in Italy and investigate risk factors for infection applying a structured online questionnaire filled in by owners. A total of 506 SAC sera (486 alpacas, Vicugna pacos, and 20 llamas, Lama glama) were tested to detect antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and results were confirmed with immunoblot. Seroprevalences of 34.8 % (176/506) for T. gondii, with 33.1 % (161/486) for alpacas and 75.0 % (15/20) for llamas, and 5.7 % (29/506) for N. caninum, with 5.6 % (27/486) for alpacas and 10.0 % (2/20) for llamas were found. Simultaneous presence of antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum was detected in 3.6 % (18/506) of the samples. The variables older age and llama species were identified as risk factors (p < 0.05) for T. gondii, while the presence of dogs and fertility disorders were associated with N. caninum seropositivity. This study provides the first large-scale serological evidence of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in alpacas and llamas in Italy, highlighting their widespread distribution and contributing valuable data to the national epidemiological scenario. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of these parasites as cause of abortion.
publishDate 2025
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2025-08
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501
info:ar-repo/semantics/articulo
format article
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv http://hdl.handle.net/11336/288734
Castaldo, Elisa; Basso, Walter; Moré, Gastón Andrés; Ciaramelli, Alessia; D'Alessio, Nicola; et al.; Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in Italy; Elsevier; Research in Veterinary Science; 192; 8-2025; 1-9
0034-5288
CONICET Digital
CONICET
url http://hdl.handle.net/11336/288734
identifier_str_mv Castaldo, Elisa; Basso, Walter; Moré, Gastón Andrés; Ciaramelli, Alessia; D'Alessio, Nicola; et al.; Nationwide serological survey and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) in Italy; Elsevier; Research in Veterinary Science; 192; 8-2025; 1-9
0034-5288
CONICET Digital
CONICET
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv eng
language eng
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0034528825002036
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1016/j.rvsc.2025.105729
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ar/
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
rights_invalid_str_mv https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ar/
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
application/pdf
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv Elsevier
publisher.none.fl_str_mv Elsevier
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
reponame_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
collection CONICET Digital (CONICET)
instname_str Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
repository.name.fl_str_mv CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
repository.mail.fl_str_mv dasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.ar
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score 13.040872

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