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Huang M, Huang H, Cao X, Yin Y, Shi K, Wang D, Hu D, Song X. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in water buffaloes and cats in Guangxi, China. Parasitol Res 2023; 123:18. [PMID: 38063934 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08055-3] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogen that poses a serious threat to human health and causes significant economic losses to the global livestock industry. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection has been reported to be high in humans and animals around the world, but the occurrence of the disease has not yet been reported in water buffaloes in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China. To understand the overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in Guangxi, a total of 1041 water buffalo and 114 cat serum samples were examined using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA). Of the 1041 water buffaloes analyzed, an overall seroprevalence of 52.9% (551/1041) was obtained, with year, season, and city location being significant factors affecting the rate of T. gondii infection in water buffaloes (P < 0.001). The results also revealed a high seroprevalence of 57% (65/114) in cats. Given that buffalo milk and meat products are vital food sources, these findings suggest that toxoplasmosis in water buffaloes may be a public health threat. This study provides the first T. gondii seroprevalence data in Guangxi, which could contribute to the prevention and control of toxoplasmosis in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Hongju Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Xinru Cao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Yanwen Yin
- Guangxi Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Kaichuang Shi
- Guangxi Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Dongying Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning, 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Dandan Hu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning, 530004, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Xingju Song
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.
- Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Engineering Research Center of Veterinary Biologics, Nanning, 530004, China.
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, 530004, China.
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Selim A, Alshammari A, Gattan HS, Alruhaili MH, Rashed GA, Shoulah S. Seroprevalence and associated risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Egypt. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 101:102058. [PMID: 37672959 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102058] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii and affecting all warm-blooded animals. The available data about the epidemiological situation of T. gondii in water buffaloes in Egypt are scarce. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in water buffaloes in three Egyptian governorates and to evaluate the associated risk factors for the infection. A total of 430 sera samples were examined using commercial Indirect ELISA Multi-species kit. The overall seroprevalence rate of T. gondii in examined water buffaloes was 7.4 %, and the highest rate (9.3 %) was found in Kafr ElSheikh governorate. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that adult buffalo (OR = 7.10; 95 % CI: 0.87-57.68; P = 0.067) and small herds (OR = 8.42; 95 % CI: 1.07-66.02; P = 0.043) were more likely than young buffalo and large herds to become infected with T. gondii. Moreover, the risk of buffaloes contracting T. gondii infection was higher in winter and especially among animals contacted with cats. It is necessary to identify risk factors in order to determine what mitigation, control, and prevention strategies to implement in order to reduce, control, and prevent T. gondii infection in domestic animals, which will in turn reduce human infection with the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelfattah Selim
- Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt.
| | - Ayed Alshammari
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hafr Al-Batin, Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hattan S Gattan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Center, King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed H Alruhaili
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Center, King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gehan A Rashed
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha 13511, Egypt
| | - Salma Shoulah
- Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt
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Lakhamsen N, Chaisongkhram C, Pattarasuplerk Y, Macotpet A, Seesupa S, Lertitthikul N, Bupata P, Kunkitti P. Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats in Khon Kaen, Northeast Thailand. Vet World 2022; 15:1779-1784. [PMID: 36185538 PMCID: PMC9394132 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.1779-1784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are known to be the definitive hosts that can excrete these environmentally resistant oocysts. Other mammals, avians, and even humans can serve as the intermediate host. T. gondii infection is often asymptomatic in healthy individuals; however, it could result in serious health problems in immunocompromised and pregnant individuals. This study investigated the occurrence of T. gondii infection in cats in Khao Suan Kwang and Mueang Khon Kaen.
Materials and Methods: In total, 100 serum samples from cats, that is, 62 owned cats (31 males and 31 females) and 38 adopted stray cats (21 males and 17 females), were examined for antibodies against T. gondii through rapid immunochromatographic tests (ICT). Owners were asked to sign a consent form and answer the questionnaires before sample collection. Demographic information about the cats and their owners was also recorded.
Results: The overall seroprevalence of cats positive for T. gondii antibodies was found to be 5%. Notably, the Toxoplasma antibody prevalence was significantly higher in the adopted stray cats (10.53% [4/38]) that roamed the zoo than in the owned cats (1.61% [1/62]) (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed between male (8.33%) and female (1.92%) cats. The cat owners' questionnaire revealed that more than half had never heard of toxoplasmosis before (67.7%), whereas 30.6% knew nothing about the disease transmission routes.
Conclusion: This study presented a low seroprevalence of antibodies to T. gondii in owned cats from the Mueang Khon Kaen District, whereas high seroprevalence was detected in the adopted stray cats from Khao Suan Kwang. Adopted stray cats can have a higher potential for T. gondii infection; thus, they could be a source of toxoplasmosis transmission to humans. Therefore, it is essential to control the number of stray cats, and a screening test for antitoxoplasmosis could be recommended before adoption. Although the total seroprevalence was noted to be low, the zoonotic disease was present. Therefore, raising the community's awareness and knowledge might reduce the disease transmission from animals to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natthika Lakhamsen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | | | | | - Arayaporn Macotpet
- Division of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University 40002, Thailand
| | - Suvaluk Seesupa
- Division of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University 40002, Thailand
| | - Nitiwadee Lertitthikul
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Pattaraanong Bupata
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Panisara Kunkitti
- Division of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University 40002, Thailand
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