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Akhtardanesh B, Aghamiri SM, Foolady D, Sadr S, Ziaali N, Jajarmi M, Shakib H, Khedri J. Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in a breeding kennel with reproductive disorders. Microb Pathog 2024; 195:106848. [PMID: 39151737 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in dogs is distributed globally. Given the potential impact of T. gondii on human reproductive health and its zoonotic potential, focusing on infected dogs with breeding disorders may provide valuable new insights into the role of toxoplasmosis on reproductive disorders. This study aimed to elucidate the potential role of T. gondii on reproductive disorders by conducting a serosurvey on a kennel with breeding disorders in Kerman, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS Purebred dogs with American Kennel Club-certified Pedigrees were randomly selected in both genders from a breeding kennel with a history of reproductive problems such as neonatal deaths, abortion stillbirths, and male infertility. Blood samples were collected from selected dogs, and serosurvey was done with a Toxo-Screen kit using the modified agglutination test (MAT). FINDINGS From 46 selected breeding dogs, 20 (43.5 %) were positive in the Toxoplasma MAT test, consisting of 24 samples (52.17 %) with different reproductive disorders and 22 (47.83 %) healthy dogs. However, the presence of reproductive disorder had no significant relationship with seropositivity (p = 0.067). Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis had no significant relationship with sex (p = 0.28) and age (p = 0.18) in the studied population. CONCLUSION Screening with the standard MAT method reduces the risk of transmitting toxoplasmosis by preventing the entry of infected dogs into the kennel, identifying the infected cases to start specific treatments, optimizing the proper nutritional conditions, and ensuring the hygiene of the environment. Fresh/refrigerated raw meat, unpasteurized milk feeding, rodent infestation of grass-covered dog runs, and the main dry food storage facilities were the primary risk factors in kennels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baharak Akhtardanesh
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Seyed Morteza Aghamiri
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
| | - Darya Foolady
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
| | - Soheil Sadr
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Naser Ziaali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Afzalipour Medical School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Maziar Jajarmi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran
| | - Hossein Shakib
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
| | - Javad Khedri
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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Sioutas G, Gelasakis AI, Symeonidou I, Tsokana CN, Alevizos P, Bitchava D, Papadopoulos E. Seroprevalence of IgG and IgM Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in Dogs in Greece. Vet Sci 2024; 11:339. [PMID: 39195793 PMCID: PMC11360327 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11080339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, is a zoonotic disease that affects various animal species, including dogs, that can serve as sentinels for indirectly estimating the environmental contamination. The current study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies in dogs across different regions of Greece and assess their living area as a potential risk factor. In total, 1282 blood samples were collected from dogs in urban and rural areas of Greece, including Attica and Thessaloniki. Serum samples were tested for T. gondii-specific IgG and IgM antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. A chi-square test was performed to assess the association between seropositivity for T. gondii and geographical location (urban/rural). The overall T. gondii seroprevalence was 47.6%, while the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies was 34.3% and 22.2%, respectively. Dogs from rural areas exhibited a significantly higher seroprevalence (53.8%) than those from urban areas (43.9%) (p < 0.001), with the estimated odds ratio being equal to 1.49 (95% CI, 1.18 to 1.65) and the relative risk increased by 22.4%. Dogs in Greece are highly exposed to T. gondii, particularly in rural areas. Measures to prevent canine infections are necessary, and basic hygiene practices, such as hand washing after petting dogs, are required to reduce human infection risk and safeguard public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Sioutas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.S.); (I.S.); (C.N.T.)
| | - Athanasios I. Gelasakis
- Laboratory of Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece;
| | - Isaia Symeonidou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.S.); (I.S.); (C.N.T.)
| | - Constantina N. Tsokana
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.S.); (I.S.); (C.N.T.)
| | - Panagiotis Alevizos
- Vet in Progress Plus, Veterinary Laboratories, Agia Paraskevi, 15343 Attiki, Greece; (P.A.); (D.B.)
| | - Dimitra Bitchava
- Vet in Progress Plus, Veterinary Laboratories, Agia Paraskevi, 15343 Attiki, Greece; (P.A.); (D.B.)
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (G.S.); (I.S.); (C.N.T.)
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Hamidullah, Saqib M, Sajid MS, Hussain S, Rizwan HM, Ashfaq K, Ghazanfer S, Butt AA, Maqbool M, Ahmad S, Sparagano OA. Screening of Toxoplasmosis in Owned and Stray Dogs of District Faisalabad, Pakistan through Latex Agglutination and Indirect ELISA. Pathogens 2022; 11:1307. [PMID: 36365058 PMCID: PMC9698280 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasma gondii (an intracellular protozoan) causes toxoplasmosis in warm-blooded animals, including humans and dogs. The present study was carried out to investigate the seroprevalence of canine toxoplasmosis in the owned and stray populations of dogs in Faisalabad District, Punjab, Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS Commercially available Latex Agglutination Test (LAT) kits were used for the screening of samples (139 stray and 150 owned), followed by confirmation through ELISA. For the statistical analyses, chi-square was used to correlate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis with various factors. RESULTS The overall prevalence of toxoplasmosis, determined by the LAT, was 22.5% and, by ELISA, was 21.8%. A nonsignificant association of toxoplasmosis was determined among owned and stray dogs. Among owned dog breeds, Bulldogs showed 28.30% prevalence, and among stray dogs, the highest prevalence was determined in Bhakarwal dogs (39.29%). Young and female dogs showed a slightly higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis than adults and males, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The present study determined by LAT and ELISA in owned dogs showed the same results, while a little variation was found in the stray dogs. It is concluded that both owned and stray dogs are infected with toxoplasmosis in Faisalabad District, and based on this, it is recommended that province-wide epidemiological studies be carried out to examine the prevalence of Toxoplasma and develop policies in order to control toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidullah
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saqib
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | | | - Sabir Hussain
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan
- Section of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, KBCMA College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sub Campus UVAS, Lahore 51600, Pakistan
| | - Khurram Ashfaq
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Sadia Ghazanfer
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Asif Ali Butt
- Riphah International University, Faisalabad Campus, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Mahvish Maqbool
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Sibtain Ahmad
- Institute of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan
| | - Olivier Andre Sparagano
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
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Liu RM, Huang WH, Wang SL, Wang SL, Huang PY, Lien CY, Lai YH, Wang PJ, Wu LH, Liao AT. Investigation of Toxoplasma infection in zoo animals using multispecies ELISA and GRA7 nested PCR. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:335. [PMID: 36068568 PMCID: PMC9447357 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03425-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasma is an obligate intracellular protozoan that causes an important zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution. Felids are the definitive hosts of this parasite, while virtually all warm-blooded animals, including birds, serve as intermediate hosts. Four ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) in the Taipei Zoo died of acute Toxoplasma infection in June 2019. Since then, Toxoplasma has occasionally been identified in this Zoo during necropsy of dead animals and PCR of animal blood samples. Therefore, a general survey of Toxoplasma infection in animals in the Zoo seems to be needed. Methods and results An indirect multispecies ELISA was used for the first time to screen for Toxoplasma infection in 326 serum samples collected from 75 species of animals. The infection rate of Toxoplasma was 27% (88/326). A commercial latex agglutination (LAT) assay was used to re-examine the samples with doubtful and uncertain ELISA results (151 samples from 42 species). The infection rate increased to 36.2% (118/326), and the indirect multispecies ELISA appeared to be applicable to 31 of 75 species animals included in this study. Nested PCR assays targeting the dense granule protein 7 (GRA7) gene and B1 gene were also used to detect Toxoplasma in DNA samples extracted from 10 liver or blood specimens from 8 animals. GRA7 gene fragments were amplified from 8 samples from 7 animals, while B1 gene fragments were amplified from only 4 samples from 4 animals. From the B1 nested PCR and the sequence data of GRA7 fragments amplified from infectious specimens, the animals in the Zoo were speculated to have been infected by at least three different Toxoplasma variants. Conclusions According to the serological investigation, we speculated that over one-third (36.2%) of animals in Taipei Zoo presented the infection of Toxoplasma, and the indirect multispecies ELISA we used can be applied to detect Toxoplasma infection in 31 animal species included in this study. Sequence analysis revealed that at least three Toxoplasma variants were infecting the animals of Taipei Zoo. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-022-03425-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru-Min Liu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, 1 Sec 4 Roosevelt Rd, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Wei-Hsiang Huang
- Graduate Institute of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, National Taiwan University, 1 Sec 4 Roosevelt Rd, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Shang-Lin Wang
- Institute of Veterinary Clinical Science, National Taiwan University, 1 Sec 4 Roosevelt Rd, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Sin-Ling Wang
- Conservation and Research Center, Taipei Zoo, 30 Sec 2 Xinguang Rd, Taipei, 116016, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Pei-Yun Huang
- Veterinary Office, Taipei Zoo, 30 Sec 2 Xinguang Rd, Taipei, 116016, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chen-Yeh Lien
- Veterinary Office, Taipei Zoo, 30 Sec 2 Xinguang Rd, Taipei, 116016, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yen-Hsueh Lai
- Veterinary Office, Taipei Zoo, 30 Sec 2 Xinguang Rd, Taipei, 116016, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Pao-Jung Wang
- Veterinary Office, Taipei Zoo, 30 Sec 2 Xinguang Rd, Taipei, 116016, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Li-Hsin Wu
- Veterinary Office, Taipei Zoo, 30 Sec 2 Xinguang Rd, Taipei, 116016, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Albert Taiching Liao
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, 1 Sec 4 Roosevelt Rd, Taipei, 106216, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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Gebremedhin EZ, Sarba EJ, Tola GK, Endalew SS, Marami LM, Melkamsew AT, Presti VDML, Vitale M. Prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania spp. infections in apparently healthy dogs in west Shewa zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:284. [PMID: 34433486 PMCID: PMC8390241 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02992-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In urban settings, the presence of a high density of the human population and contact with domestic and/or stray animals such as dogs and cats can be risk factors for the transmission of zoonotic protozoa parasites. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Leishmania spp. are zoonotic protozoon parasites with significant health burdens worldwide. METHODS A cross-sectional study was used to investigate the antibody prevalence and risk factors of T. gondii and Leishmania spp. infections in 385 randomly selected dogs of Ambo, Bako, and Gojo towns of West Shewa Zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. A questionnaire survey was administered to households to collect data on potential risk factors. Dog sera samples were assayed for T. gondii IgG antibodies using the direct agglutination test while Leishmania spp. specific antibodies tested using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Logistic regression was used for data analysis. RESULTS Overall, T. gondii and Leishmania spp. infection seroprevalence was found to be 82.86% (95% confidence interval (CI): 78.71-86.49%) and 92.47% (95% CI: 89.36-94.90%), respectively. Seropositivity for both T. gondii and Leishmania spp. was found in 82.58% of the dogs. None of the investigated factors were associated with Leishmania spp. seropositivity (p > 0.05). The seroprevalence of T. gondii was significantly different among the study towns (p = 0.003). The risk of T. gondii infection was 2.71 times higher in adult dogs than juvenile dogs (p = 0.043). Dogs kept simultaneously with other domestic animals had increased odds of T. gondii seropositivity compared to those with no other domestic animals (Adjusted Odds ratio: 1.96, p = 0.021). However, altitude, sex, breed, housing, feeding, educational level of head of the household, and dog's living area were not significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The high seropositivity and the simultaneous presence of antibodies of T. gondii and Leishmania spp. in dogs suggest the widespread nature of these parasites in the environment and the high potential of transmission to other animals and humans. Further epidemiological studies, isolation and molecular characterization of the parasites, and educational campaigns are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endrias Zewdu Gebremedhin
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ambo University, School of Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 19, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | - Edilu Jorga Sarba
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ambo University, School of Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 19, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Kebebew Tola
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Ambo University, School of Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 19, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | - Solomon Shiferaw Endalew
- Department of Veterinary Laboratory Technology, Ambo University, School of Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 19, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | - Lencho Megersa Marami
- Department of Veterinary Laboratory Technology, Ambo University, School of Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 19, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | | | - Vincenzo Di Marco Lo Presti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Area Territoriale, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Italy
| | - Maria Vitale
- Laboratory of Genetics of Microorganisms, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sicily, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
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Zarra-Nezhad F, Borujeni MP, Mosallanejad B, Hamidinejat H. A seroepidemiological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in referred dogs to Veterinary Hospital of Ahvaz, Iran. Int J Vet Sci Med 2017; 5:148-151. [PMID: 30255064 PMCID: PMC6137845 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijvsm.2017.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite, which is the cause of toxoplasmosis and can infect a wide variety of warm-blooded animals, including dogs and humans. The present study evaluated the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in pet dogs in Ahvaz, southwest city of Iran, and investigated the related possible risk factors. A total of 180 serum samples were collected from dogs referred to Veterinary Hospital of Ahvaz. The samples were then tested by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The prevalence of T. gondii antibodies were 46.67%. Logistic regression and chi square tests were used for evaluating of risk factors. The positivity increased statistically significantly with dog’s gender (56% females and 39% males, P = 0.001), age (18% in <2 years old, 96% in ≥4 years old, P = 0.001) and place of living (47% outdoor dogs 38% house hold dogs, P = 0.025). However, no statistically significant association was found with dogs’ breed, deworming, food ingestion or contact with cats. Overall, the results showed a relatively high seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in dogs in southwest Iran (Ahvaz) and proved association of T. gondii prevalence rates with the dog’s age, gender and place of living.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Zarra-Nezhad
- Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mahdi P Borujeni
- Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Bahman Mosallanejad
- Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Hossein Hamidinejat
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
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Sharifdini M, Mohebali M, Keshavarz H, Hosseininejad M, Hajjaran H, Akhoundi B, Rahimi Foroushani A, Zarei Z. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic dogs in an area from northwest of Iran: a cross-sectional study using immunodominant surface antigen 1 (SAG1). J Parasit Dis 2015; 40:1278-1282. [PMID: 27876930 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-015-0667-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that infects humans and animals. T. gondii surface antigen 1 (SAG1) is an appropriate antigen with high specificity and sensitivity for the detection of T. gondii infection in humans and animal hosts. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection using SAG1 antigen (P30) in ownership dogs in Meshkin-Shahr district in the northwestern Iran. The sera samples were collected from 171 domestic dogs and tested using indirect ELISA (SAG1 antigen). The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 13. From a total of 171 dogs, 82 (48 %) of them were sero-positive. No statistical significant difference was seen between T. gondii infection and gender (P = 0.995). The highest sero-prevalence of rate was observed in >5 years animals; but no statistical significant difference was seen between T. gondii infection and age (P = 0.589). Our findings indicate that Toxoplasma seropositivity rate is high in ownership dogs in northwest of Iran. This is probably due to high exposure to contaminated food, soil, or water sources with sporulated Toxoplasma oocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sharifdini
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 14155-6446, Tehran, Iran ; Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - M Mohebali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 14155-6446, Tehran, Iran ; Research Center for Zoonoses, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - H Keshavarz
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 14155-6446, Tehran, Iran ; Research Center for Endemic Parasites of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - M Hosseininejad
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute of Zoonotic Diseases, University of Shahrekord, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - H Hajjaran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 14155-6446, Tehran, Iran
| | - B Akhoundi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 14155-6446, Tehran, Iran
| | - A Rahimi Foroushani
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Z Zarei
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 14155-6446, Tehran, Iran
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Abdulmawjood A, Rosa S, Taubert A, Bauer C, Failing K, Zahner H, Bülte M. Investigation of persistence of infectious Toxoplasma gondii in raw sausages using in-house developed and validated real time-PCR. Meat Sci 2014; 97:542-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2014.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Revised: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Prevalence of specific IgG-antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in domestic turkeys determined by kinetic ELISA based on recombinant GRA7 and GRA8. Vet Parasitol 2011; 180:179-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2010] [Revised: 03/18/2011] [Accepted: 03/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Azevedo SS, Batista CSA, Vasconcellos SA, Aguiar DM, Ragozo AMA, Rodrigues AAR, Alves CJ, Gennari SM. Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dogs from the state of Paraíba, Northeast region of Brazil. Res Vet Sci 2004; 79:51-6. [PMID: 15894024 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2004.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2004] [Revised: 09/20/2004] [Accepted: 10/13/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies and to investigate the risk factors related to antibodies against T. gondii and N. caninum in dogs of the city of Campina Grande, state of Paraiba, Northeast region of Brazil. For this purpose, 286 blood samples were collected from dogs during the rabies vaccination campaign, in September 2003, and on this occasion questionnaires addressing epidemiological aspects of the infections were given to each dog owner. The sera were analyzed for anti-T. gondii and anti-N. caninum antibodies by indirect fluorescent antibody tests. Of the total of 286 dogs, 129 were positive for T. gondii (titer16) with a prevalence value of 45.1% (95% CI=39.24-51.07%). For N. caninum, 24 dogs were positive (titer50), with a prevalence value of 8.4% (95% CI=5.45-12.23%). Antibodies to T. gondii and N. caninum were found simultaneously in 14 dogs (4.9%; 95% CI=2.7-8.08%). For T. gondii infection, the risk factors associated with seroprevalence was the age of the animals, with dogs older than one year presenting higher values of odds ratio, and co-habitation of cats in the household. For N. caninum infection, dogs that have street contact had higher odds of seropositivity than dogs that remained exclusively in a domestic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Azevedo
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is one of the more common parasitic zoonoses world-wide. Its causative agent, Toxoplasma gondii, is a facultatively heteroxenous, polyxenous protozoon that has developed several potential routes of transmission within and between different host species. If first contracted during pregnancy, T. gondii may be transmitted vertically by tachyzoites that are passed to the foetus via the placenta. Horizontal transmission of T. gondii may involve three life-cycle stages, i.e. ingesting infectious oocysts from the environment or ingesting tissue cysts or tachyzoites which are contained in meat or primary offal (viscera) of many different animals. Transmission may also occur via tachyzoites contained in blood products, tissue transplants, or unpasteurised milk. However, it is not known which of these routes is more important epidemiologically. In the past, the consumption of raw or undercooked meat, in particular of pigs and sheep, has been regarded as a major route of transmission to humans. However, recent studies showed that the prevalence of T. gondii in meat-producing animals decreased considerably over the past 20 years in areas with intensive farm management. For example, in several countries of the European Union prevalences of T. gondii in fattening pigs are now <1%. Considering these data it is unlikely that pork is still a major source of infection for humans in these countries. However, it is likely that the major routes of transmission are different in human populations with differences in culture and eating habits. In the Americas, recent outbreaks of acute toxoplasmosis in humans have been associated with oocyst contamination of the environment. Therefore, future epidemiological studies on T. gondii infections should consider the role of oocysts as potential sources of infection for humans, and methods to monitor these are currently being developed. This review presents recent epidemiological data on T. gondii, hypotheses on the major routes of transmission to humans in different populations, and preventive measures that may reduce the risk of contracting a primary infection during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Tenter
- Institut für Parasitologie, Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Bünteweg 17, D-30559, Hannover, Germany.
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