Humoral immune response in pregnant heifers inoculated with Neospora caninum tachyzoites by conjunctival route

The aim of this study was to compare systemic humoral immune responses in pregnant heifers inoculated with Neospora caninum tachyzoites by conjunctival and intravenous routes. Twenty nine heifers separated in three experimental groups were studied: Group 1 (n = 10 animals) and Group 2 (n = 9 animals) were inoculated with 108 of N. caninum tachyzoites by conjunctival and intravenous routes at 5th month of gestation, respectively; Group 3 (n = 10 animals) were non-inoculated control animals. An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and western immunoblotting (IB) were used to analyze the humoral immune response. All animals from Group 1 developed N. caninum specific antibody responses after conjunctival inoculation recording the highest antibody titer (mean ± SE: 160 ± 49.9) at 6th month of gestation. There were statistical differences between humoral immune responses found in Group 1 and 2 being higher in the second one at 6.5th, 8.5th and 9th months of gestation (P < 0.05). Interestingly, all heifers from Group 1 reverted to seronegative status at the end of gestation. No increase in antibody was detected in the uninfected control group. Same pattern of N. caninum antigens was recognized by sera from heifers inoculated by conjunctival route and heifers inoculated by intravenous route. Recognized antigens were 116, 92, 84, 77, 45, 40, 25–26 and 17–18 kDa. The conjunctival instillation of N. caninum tachyzoites in pregnant heifers induces specific systemic antibodies. Further work is needed in order to clarify the consequences of this novel experimental route of infection not only on the fetus but also on the dam.