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Abstract
Parasite-specific antibody responses to Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, antigens
were detected using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and immunoblot analysis
in a korean equine population located on Jeju island, South Korea (126 degrees 12'
E and 33 degrees 34' N). For comparison, a naturally infected Neospora hughesi horse
and an experimentally inoculated T. gondii equid (pony) were used. In addition, all
samples were tested for antibodies to Sarcocystis neurona by immunoblot analysis.
A total of 191 serum samples from clinically normal horses were evaluated. Only 2%
(4 out of 191) and 2.6% (5 out of 191) of the samples had showed reactivity at 1:100
using the IFAT for Neospora spp. and T. gondii, respectively. For T. gondii, two samples
matched the antigen banding pattern of the positive control by immunoblot analysis.
No sample was positive for N. hughesi by immunoblot analysis in this study. Overall,
there was a 1% seroprevalence for T. gondii antibodies in the horses tested based
on immunoblot analysis. The seroprevalence for S. neurona and N. hughesi antibodies
was 0%. We concluded that these horses are either not routinely exposed to these parasites
or antibody titers are not sufficiently elevated to be detectable. It is most likely
the former explanation since Jeju island equine farms are isolated from the main land,
and the horses were all less than 3 years of age. This naïve population of horses
could be useful when evaluating S. neurona serodiagnostic tests or evaluating potential
S. neurona vaccines since exposure risks to S. neurona and closely related parasites
are negligible.