Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. are closely related cyst-forming coccidian parasites, which infect various animal species and have considerable zoonotic and economic implications, respectively. Both parasites are endemic in Israel and have been reported to infect wild and domestic animals. This study was conceived to evaluate the serologic exposure of donkeys to these parasites. Serum samples were collected from 98 donkeys. Half of them (n = 49) were from animal shelters in Israel, and the rest (n = 49) were working donkeys from the Palestinian Authority. The donkeys were screened for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma and anti-Neospora antibodies by immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFATs). The seroprevalence of T. gondii and Neospora spp. was 94% and 70%, respectively, and 69% of the donkeys were exposed to both parasites. In addition, N. caninum tissue cysts were documented in two donkeys during post-mortem examination. This is the first report of the exposure of donkeys to T. gondii and Neospora spp. in the area. The high prevalence found in this study suggests that donkeys may have a role in the maintenance of these parasites in the area, thus serving as a source of infection for the definitive hosts.

中文翻译：

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高暴露于弓形虫和新孢子虫。在以色列的驴子中：血清学调查和病例报告

弓形虫和新孢子虫。是密切相关的形成囊肿的球虫寄生虫，它们感染各种动物，分别具有明显的人畜共患和经济意义。两种寄生虫在以色列都是地方病，据报道会感染野生和家养动物。本研究旨在评估驴对这些寄生虫的血清学暴露。从98头驴中收集血清样品。其中一半（n = 49）来自以色列的动物收容所，其余（n = 49）来自巴勒斯坦权力机构的工作驴。通过免疫荧光抗体测试（IFAT）筛选驴中是否存在抗弓形虫和抗新孢子虫抗体。弓形虫的血清阳性率和新孢子虫属。分别为94％和70％，而69％的驴子暴露于两种寄生虫。此外，在验尸期间，两只驴中记录了犬新孢子虫组织囊肿。这是关于驴暴露于弓形虫和新孢子虫属物种的首次报道。在那地区。在这项研究中发现的高患病率表明，驴可能在该地区这些寄生虫的维持中起作用，从而成为确定宿主的感染源。