Exploring the possible link between toxoplasmosis and crib-biting behavior in horse farms of Shiraz: a case, control study
Toxoplasma is an intracellular parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis in humans and animals. In this disease, parasitic cysts of Toxoplasma gondii can remain present in various tissues such as the brain throughout the host's life. The potential role of toxoplasmosis should be considered in ma...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Tabriz
2024-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Zoonotic Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_17839.html |
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| Summary: | Toxoplasma is an intracellular parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis in humans and
animals. In this disease, parasitic cysts of Toxoplasma gondii can remain present in
various tissues such as the brain throughout the host's life. The potential role of
toxoplasmosis should be considered in many neurological diseases with unknown
mechanisms. In horses, behavioral disorders like crib-biting have multifactorial causes
and may be due to neurophysiological dysfunction. This research aimed to determine the
role of toxoplasmosis in the manifestation of crib-biting behavior in horses. A casecontrol study was conducted in horse riding clubs in Fars province, Iran, near the city of
Shiraz. Ten horses with crib-biting behavior and 10 clinically healthy horses matched for
sex, age, and breed were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected from
cribbers and healthy horses, along with a thorough history-taking. An enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed on sera to detect T. gondii-specific
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM). The results of this study
revealed that all horses were free of toxoplasmosis. It is concluded that this relation was
not detected in the horse farms of Shiraz suburbs. Further research is required to explore
more aspects of crib-biting behavior and its relationship with causative factors.
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| ISSN: | 2717-2910 |