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A 2-Year Longitudinal Seroepidemiological Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in a Cohort of Autochthonous Sheep from Central Portugal. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10010040. [PMID: 33419095 PMCID: PMC7825394 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonosis and one of the major causes of abortion in sheep worldwide. (2) Methods: We performed a 2-year longitudinal serological anti-T. gondii IgG screening on a cohort of a spatially confined population of a Portuguese autochthonous sheep breed in central Portugal. (3) Results: From the screening of the 2015 and 2016 sera, an increase of seroprevalence was observed (57.7% (95% CI: 49.9-65.3%) versus 69.1% (95% CI: 61.5-75.9), from 2015 and 2016, respectively) (p = 0.031). (4) Conclusions The present study is the first to provide prospective data on the anti-T. gondii serological status of a sheep cohort in Portugal, showing an increase in the occurrence of T. gondii. There is a need to provide a clearer understanding of T. gondii epidemiology in Portugal, ideally by implementing monitoring programs on sentinel herds, not only due to the high impact of T. gondii on animal health but also for it being a zoonosis.
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH, Su C. Economic and public health importance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in sheep: 2009-2020. Vet Parasitol 2020; 286:109195. [PMID: 32979682 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the prevalence of clinical and subclinical infections, epidemiology, diagnosis, control, and genetic diversity of T. gondii in sheep in the past decade. There is debate and uncertainty concerning repeat congenital infection as evidenced by finding T. gondii DNA in progeny of chronically infected sheep. However, there is no concrete evidence that T. gondii is the cause of repeated abortions in sheep. Recent data concerning pathogenesis of abortion in acutely infected sheep are reviewed. PCR-RFLP typing of T. gondii DNA derived from viable T. gondii isolates or tissues of infected sheep revealed low genetic diversity in sheep in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America but high diversity in South America. This review will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, veterinarians, and public health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA.
| | - F H A Murata
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - C K Cerqueira-Cézar
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - O C H Kwok
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
| | - C Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-0845, USA
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Dubey J, Murata F, Cerqueira-Cézar C, Kwok O, Su C. WITHDRAWN: Economic and public health importance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in sheep: the last decade. Vet Parasitol X 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vpoa.2020.100028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Li R, Ma Y, Li J, Zhou P, Zheng F, Liu Q, Gao W. Application of Toxoplasma gondii GRA15 peptides in diagnosis and serotyping. Microb Pathog 2020; 143:104168. [PMID: 32205209 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies showed that three clonal strain types (I, II, and III) of Toxoplasma gondii can be distinguished using serotyping based on a series of polymorphic proteins. However, to establish a systematic serotyping method with higher resolution even being equal to that of genotyping, more specific peptide markers are needed. The objective of the present study was to determine the possibility of the polymorphic dense granule protein 15 (GRA15) for diagnosis and serotyping of T. gondii infection. Three different T. gondii GT1 strain GRA15 gene fragments encoding a 584-residue peptide, a 199-residue peptide and a 84-residue peptide were amplified, expressed and purified, respectively. Anti-T. gondii GT1 strain antibodies, anti-T. gondii RH strain antibodies and anti-T. gondii PRU strain antibodies were used for immunoblotting analysis of the three peptides. Western blotting analysis showed that the 584-residue peptide of GT1 strain GRA15 was a potential candidate for serological diagnosis of T. gondii infection. RH strain from GT1 strain could be distinguished by serotyping based on the GRA15199 or GRA1584, and T. gondii GT1 strain could be distinguished from PRU strain by using serotyping based on the GRA1584. These findings reveal, for the first time, a novel potential role of GRA15-derived peptides in diagnosis and serological differentiation of T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runli Li
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China
| | - Yeting Ma
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China
| | - Jin Li
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China
| | - Penglai Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China
| | - Fuguo Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China
| | - Qing Liu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China.
| | - Wenwei Gao
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, PR China.
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Pereira DC, Dubey JP, Mata AD, Neto H, Cardoso L, Lopes AP. Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cattle, sheep, goats and pigs from São Tomé and Príncipe. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE PARASITOLOGIA VETERINARIA 2020; 29:e014819. [DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612019101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Despite the global importance of the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii, little is known regarding its infection in the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (DRSTP). This is the first report of antibodies to T. gondii in cattle, sheep, goats and pigs from the DRSTP. Antibodies were assessed by the modified agglutination test (MAT), with a cut-off titer of 100 for cattle and 20 for sheep, goats and pigs. The present study revealed an overall seroprevalence of 55.8%; 27.1% in 48 cattle, 68.4% in 98 sheep, 70.1% in 97 goats and 43.7% in 103 pigs. The south geographical area for cattle, the central area for sheep, and adult age and living in the central region for goats were found to be risk factors for seropositivity to T. gondii. These results support the scenario of a considerable presence of sporulated oocysts as well as of infected intermediate hosts in the local environment. Consumption of raw or undercooked meat should be considered as an important potential source of infection for animals and humans in the DRSTP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Helda Neto
- Pescas e Desenvolvimento Rural, São Tomé e Príncipe; Laboratório Central de Diagnóstico Veterinário de São Tomé, São Tomé e Príncipe
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal; Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto, Portugal
| | - Ana Patrícia Lopes
- Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal; Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto, Portugal
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Epidemiological review of Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans and animals in Portugal. Parasitology 2014; 141:1699-708. [PMID: 25215422 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182014001413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis. However, data from Portugal are limited and a considerable part of the literature is in Portuguese. Currently, the rate of congenital infection in Portugal is unknown, and almost nothing is known of sequelae of congenital toxoplasmosis. There is no recent general population-based serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii in humans in Portugal. In addition, there is little information on genetic characteristics of T. gondii in animals and humans. In the present paper, we review prevalence, clinical spectrum and epidemiology of T. gondii in humans and animals in Portugal. This knowledge should be useful to biologists, public health workers, physicians and veterinarians.
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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle, sheep, goats and pigs from the North of Portugal for human consumption. Vet Parasitol 2013; 193:266-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Revised: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Immunohistochemical identification of Toxoplasma gondii in tissues from Modified Agglutination Test positive sheep. Vet Parasitol 2013; 191:347-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2012] [Revised: 09/12/2012] [Accepted: 09/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Langoni H, Greca H, Guimarães FF, Ullmann LS, Gaio FC, Uehara RS, Rosa EP, Amorim RM, Da Silva RC. Serological profile of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in commercial sheep from São Paulo State, Brazil. Vet Parasitol 2011; 177:50-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2009] [Revised: 11/08/2010] [Accepted: 11/10/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Rossi GF, Cabral DD, Ribeiro DP, Pajuaba ACAM, Corrêa RR, Moreira RQ, Mineo TWP, Mineo JR, Silva DAO. Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in sheep from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, by different serological methods. Vet Parasitol 2010; 175:252-9. [PMID: 21075529 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2010] [Revised: 08/30/2010] [Accepted: 10/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis have been recognized as economically important diseases with considerable impact on the livestock industry. Considering the scarce information on the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections in sheep from Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, this study aimed to investigate the frequency of antibodies against these parasites in sheep sera from this region by using different serological methods. A total of 155 sheep serum samples were analyzed by the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of IgG against T. gondii and N. caninum. Seroreactivity by IFAT showed 80% of samples with titers between 512 and 2048 for T. gondii (cutoff ≥ 64) and 78% presenting titers between 50 and 200 for N. caninum (cutoff ≥ 50). Seroreactivity by ELISA showed 75% of samples with ELISA index (EI) between 2.0 and 3.0 for T. gondii (cutoff ≥ 1.3) and 54% presenting EI between 1.3 and 2.0 for N. caninum (cut off ≥ 1.3). Discordant results by both tests were analyzed by immunoblot, resulting in a total seropositivity of 61% for T. gondii and 23% for N. caninum, with 41% to T. gondii only, 3% to N. caninum only, and 20% to both parasites. There was a significant positive association between seropositivity to T. gondii and age over one year (P<0.001), but such association was not found for N. caninum infection. In conclusion, as T. gondii and N. caninum infections are simultaneously present in sheep flocks of this region, it should be emphasized the importance to carry out a regular monitoring of Toxoplasma infection due to its high prevalence, its zoonotic potential and induction of reproductive disorders leading to economic losses. For neosporosis, sheep farmers should be instructed about the presence of the parasite in the flock, its risk factors and potential abortifacient role in sheep. Differential flock management could be valuable tool to establish the association of serological positivity and reproductive disease induced by N. caninum in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- G F Rossi
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Av. Pará 1720, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
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Sousa S, Canada N, Correia da Costa JM, Dardé ML. Serotyping of naturally Toxoplasma gondii infected meat-producing animals. Vet Parasitol 2009; 169:24-8. [PMID: 20083355 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2009] [Revised: 12/10/2009] [Accepted: 12/16/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Serotyping was previously described as a promising method for typing strains of Toxoplasma gondii. The majority of precedent studies utilized serum samples collected from human patients with different T. gondii-associated pathologies. The aim of this work was to study the applicability of the same procedure for serotyping naturally infected meat-producing animals. An ELISA test based on GRA6 and GRA7 C-terminal polymorphic peptides was used. Peptide GRA6II has polymorphisms specific for the archetypal strains type II, GRA6I/III for strains type I and III, GRA7I for strains type I and GRA7III for strains type III. As reference material, and to validate this approach, serum samples from eleven free-range chickens and fifteen pigs used for Toxoplasma genotypes isolation were selected. These strains integrate the Biological Resource Centre (BRC) ToxoBS Bank. Three serum samples from chickens and two from pigs had serotyping results in agreement with genotyping. Thirty-five serum samples from chickens, twenty-nine from pigs and fifty from sheep, seropositive for T. gondii, from which no isolate was obtained, were also serotyped. Serotype III appeared significantly more frequent among sheep. Our results show that serotyping still need refinement, but may become a valuable tool for typing Toxoplasma strains from animal origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Sousa
- Centro de Imunologia e Biologia Parasitária (CIBP), CSPGF, INSA Porto, Portugal.
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