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Basset C, Gos ML, Steffen KD, Helman E, Fitte B, Olaizola PL, Unzaga JM. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in family farming goats from the Luracatao Valley, Salta, Argentina. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024; 49:100992. [PMID: 38462298 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.100992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections are important causes of abortion in ruminants. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and frequency of T. gondii and N. caninum titers in goats raised by family farmers in the Luracatao Valley of Salta province, Argentina. A total of 259 serum samples were collected from adult goats in 42 family farms in nine communities and tested for indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT, cut-off 1:100). Seroprevalences were 34.36% (89/259) for T. gondii and 64.09% (166/259) for N. caninum. Co-infection was found in 25.86% (67/259) of the goats tested. The most frequent IFAT titer of T. gondii found was 100 (23.93%; 62/259), and only 2% (5/259) of the goats presented titer 800. For N. caninum, the most frequent titers were 100 (25.86%; 67/259), and titers 200 (20.46%; 53/259) and 400 (14.61%, 38/259). The titers found for T. gondii could suggest a chronic infection in goats, being of importance for the region due to meat consumption and cheese production. The elevated seroprevalence of N. caninum identified in this study may be attributed to the community-specific dog population and the close interaction between dogs and goats, despite the absence of a statistically significant association. Subsequent research is warranted to assess the productive implications of T. gondii and N. caninum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Basset
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C1425FQB), Argentina.
| | - María Laura Gos
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Kevin D Steffen
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C1425FQB), Argentina
| | - Elisa Helman
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C1425FQB), Argentina; Grupo de Bioestadística Aplicada- Instituto de Cálculos, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Bruno Fitte
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (C1425FQB), Argentina
| | - Paula L Olaizola
- Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Agricultura Familiar Región Pampeana, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Manuel Unzaga
- Laboratorio de Inmunoparasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cátedra de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Holec-Gąsior L, Sołowińska K. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Small Ruminants: Old Problems, and Current Solutions. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2696. [PMID: 37684960 PMCID: PMC10487074 DOI: 10.3390/ani13172696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonosis of veterinary importance, with implications for public health. Toxoplasma gondii infection causes abortion or congenital disease in small ruminants. Moreover, the consumption of infected meat, cured meat products, or unpasteurized milk and dairy products can facilitate zoonotic transmission. Serological studies conducted in various European countries have shown the high seroprevalence of specific anti-T. gondii antibodies in sheep and goats related to the presence of oocysts in the environment, as well as climatic conditions. This article presents the current status of the detection possibilities for T. gondii infection in small ruminants and their milk. Serological testing is considered the most practical method for diagnosing toxoplasmosis; therefore, many studies have shown that recombinant antigens as single proteins, mixtures of various antigens, or chimeric proteins can be successfully used as an alternative to Toxoplasma lysate antigens (TLA). Several assays based on DNA amplification have been developed as alternative diagnostic methods, which are especially useful when serodiagnosis is not possible, e.g., the detection of intrauterine T. gondii infection when the fetus is not immunocompetent. These techniques employ multicopy sequences highly conserved among different strains of T. gondii in conventional, nested, competitive, and quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucyna Holec-Gąsior
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza Str., 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland;
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Symeonidou I, Sioutas G, Lazou T, Gelasakis AI, Papadopoulos E. A Review of Toxoplasma gondii in Animals in Greece: A FoodBorne Pathogen of Public Health Importance. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2530. [PMID: 37570337 PMCID: PMC10416908 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoon with a complex life cycle and the second most important foodborne pathogen in Europe. Surveillance of toxoplasmosis is based on national considerations since there are no mandatory controls along the food chain in the European Union, and underreporting of meat is still a problem in many countries like Greece. The current review provides an overview of T. gondii prevalence, associated risk factors, and surveillance in animals in Greece, focusing on the transmission role of meat and highlighting the control measures that should be adopted by consumers. Sows, wild boars, hares, equines, and cats had lower, while sheep and goats generally had higher seroprevalence than their respective pooled European and global values. Seroprevalence in chickens was similar between Greece and Europe, while there was high variation in cattle studies, with no data regarding dairy products. Though a comprehensive meat safety assurance system is the most effective approach to control the principal biological hazards associated with meat, such as T. gondii, the prerequisite risk categorisation of farms and abattoirs based on EFSA's proposed harmonised epidemiological indicators has not materialised as yet in Greece. Therefore, comprehensive control strategies are still required to ensure food safety and safeguard public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaia Symeonidou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Georgios Sioutas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.S.); (G.S.)
| | - Thomai Lazou
- Laboratory of Hygiene of Foods of Animal Origin—Veterinary Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - 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;
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.S.); (G.S.)
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Jiang Y, Xin S, Ma Y, Zhang H, Yang X, Yang Y. Low Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Sheep and Isolation of a Viable Strain from Edible Mutton from Central China. Pathogens 2023; 12:827. [PMID: 37375517 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sheep are highly susceptible to Toxoplasma gondii, and miscarriage is the main clinical feature. This study investigated 227 sheep samples (210 myocardial tissues from slaughterhouses, 6 ewe serum samples, 3 aborted fetuses, and 8 dead lambs from veterinary clinics) from central China for T. gondii infection. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the modified agglutination test (MAT). PCR was performed to detect T. gondii DNA in the tissue samples. The results showed that four samples were seropositive (MAT titer ≥ 1:100), with a seroprevalence of 1.8% (4/227). The seropositive samples included two myocardial samples from a slaughterhouse, one ewe and its aborted fetus from a veterinary clinic. The results revealed that 7 out of 207 (3.4%) sheep tissue samples were PCR-positive, including two myocardial tissue samples from slaughterhouses, three aborted fetuses, and two lambs from veterinary clinics. Toxoplasma gondii vertical transmission had occurred in two of three pairs of ewes and her pups. One viable T. gondii strain (TgSheepCHn14) was isolated from the myocardial tissues of sheep from a slaughterhouse. Tachyzoites were obtained from cell cultures at 70 days following seeding in the brains and lungs of mice. This strain was non-lethal to Swiss mice. The number of parasite brain cysts in mice decreased with time post-infection (p < 0.05). Overall, the prevalence of T. gondii in the sheep samples was low. Although the samples were scattered, and not from planned collections, the current study detected T. gondii antibodies and DNA in aborted fetuses, indicating that vertical transmission could occur and maintain the parasites in sheep herds without exogenous infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibao Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Shilin Xin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yiheng Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Xu Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
| | - Yurong Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450000, China
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Cárdenas Sierra DM, Domínguez Julio GC, Blanco Oliveros MX, Soto JA, Tórres Morales E. Seroprevalencia y factores de riesgo asociados a toxoplasmosis gestacional en el Nororiente Colombiano. Rev Cuid 2022. [DOI: 10.15649/cuidarte.2287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Highlights:
La toxoplasmosis gestacional podría constituir una grave problemática en ascenso en la población atendida en zona fronteriza nororiental de Colombia.
La incrementada reactividad IgM específica a T.gondii en mujeres gestantes representa una alarma para la generación de estrategias de impacto en la prevención de esta problemática, como población priorizada.
La seronegatividad frente a T.gondii, aún predominante en población gestante evaluada en región nororiental de Colombia, constituye un factor de riesgo relevante de toxoplasmosis gestacional, reflejado en alta susceptibilidad.
La considerable exposición a factores de riesgo de toxoplasmosis en el embarazo implica una clara oportunidad de mejora de la calidad del control prenatal, mediante atención integral.
Introducción:La toxoplasmosis es una zoonosis prevalente en un tercio de la población mundial, que afecta negativamente la salud materno-fetal causando daños de grado variable al feto. Objetivo: Se propuso evaluar el estado serológico IgG e IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii y factores de riesgo relacionados, en mujeres gestantes de primer trimestre en Cúcuta, Colombia, en el año 2018. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal y correlacional en 111 mujeres participando voluntariamente, a quienes se testeó para IgM e IgG específicas por inmunoensayo LIA. Resultados: Se halló 19,8% y 35,1% de seropositividad total para IgM e IgG, respectivamente, 11,7% lo fue únicamente para IgM y 53,2% corresponde a la frecuencia de seronegatividad global para T.gondii; Se identificaron factores de riesgo (IC=95%) como consumo de carne mal cocida (54,1% de los casos, OR=1,8, p=0,120), de agua del grifo (48,6%, OR=1,4, p=0,421), de leche cruda de cabra o de vaca (39,6%, OR=0,78, p=0,553), además de convivencia con gatos (23,4%), éste último asociado significativamente a seropositividad al parásito (OR=2,8, p=0,025). Discusión y Conclusiones: Nuestros hallazgos revelan un posible riesgo de primo-infección en más de la mitad de la población gestante dada su seronegatividad frente al parásito, pero también una frecuencia considerable de casos con sospecha de infección muy reciente, lo que además de asociarse a un factor de riesgo previamente reconocido, deja entrever otros aspectos de riesgo en torno a la alimentación que deben impactarse mediante estrategias de prevención durante el control prenatal, sugiriendo la necesidad de fortalecer la vigilancia en torno al evento.
Como citar este artículo: Cárdenas Sierra Denny Miley, Domínguez Julio Camila, Blanco Oliveros María Ximena, Soto Javier Andrés, Tórres Morales Elizabeth. Seroprevalencia y factores de riesgo asociados a toxoplasmosis gestacional en el Nororiente Colombiano. Revista Cuidarte. 2023;14(1):e2287. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.2287
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Deljavan N, Moosavy MH, Hajipour N. Molecular detection of toxoplasma gondii DNA in goats (Capra hircus), sheep (Ovis aries), and donkey (Equus asinus) milk using PCR in East Azerbaijan province, Iran. Res Vet Sci 2022; 152:58-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Fereig RM, Abdelbaky HH, Mazeed AM, El-Alfy ES, Saleh S, Omar MA, Alsayeqh AF, Frey CF. Prevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and DNA in Raw Milk of Various Ruminants in Egypt. Pathogens 2022; 11:1305. [PMID: 36365056 PMCID: PMC9696228 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in raw milk samples was estimated in different ruminants and Egyptian governorates. Of 13 bulk milk samples tested by ELISA, five (38.5%) were positive for antibodies to N. caninum, and two samples were additionally positive for antibodies to T. gondii, resulting in a seroprevalence of 15.4% for both T. gondii and co-infection. In individual milk samples (n = 171) from the same bulks, antibodies to N. caninum were detected in 25.7%, to T. gondii in 14%, and 3.5% had antibodies to both parasites. A strong correlation between the OD values of the bulk samples and of the relevant individual milk samples was found for T. gondii (Pearson r = 0.9759) and moderately strong for N. caninum (Pearson r = 0.5801). Risk factor assessment for individual milk samples revealed that antibodies to T. gondii were significantly influenced by animal species, while no risk factors were detected for N. caninum antibodies. Additionally, DNA of N. caninum was detected in a bulk milk sample of cattle for the first time in Egypt, and DNA of T. gondii was found in bulk milk samples of cattle, sheep and goats. This is the first study in Egypt in which bulk milk samples of different ruminants were tested for the presence of N. caninum and T. gondii antibodies and DNA. Both individual and bulk milk samples are useful tools for monitoring antibody response to N. caninum and T. gondii infections in different ruminants in Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragab M. Fereig
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | | | - Amira M. Mazeed
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Arish University, North Sinai, Arish 45516, Egypt
| | - El-Sayed El-Alfy
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Somaya Saleh
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Mosaab A. Omar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah 51452, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah F. Alsayeqh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah 51452, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Caroline F. Frey
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Marín-García PJ, Planas N, Llobat L. Toxoplasma gondii in Foods: Prevalence, Control, and Safety. Foods 2022; 11:2542. [PMID: 36010541 DOI: 10.3390/foods11162542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, with approximately one third of the population around the world seropositive. The consumption of contaminated food is the main source of infection. These include meat products with T. gondii tissue cysts, and dairy products with tachyzoites. Recently, contamination has been detected in fresh products with oocysts and marine products. Despite the great health problems that are caused by T. gondii, currently there are no standardized methods for its detection in the food industry. In this review, we analyze the current detection methods, the prevalence of T. gondii in different food products, and the control measures. The main detection methods are bioassays, cell culture, molecular and microscopic techniques, and serological methods, but some of these do not have applicability in the food industry. As a result, emerging techniques are being developed that are aimed at the detection of multiple parasites simultaneously that would make their application more efficient in the industry. Since the prevalence of this parasite is high in many products (meat and milk, marine products, and vegetables), it is necessary to standardize detection methods, as well as implement control measures.
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de Barros RAM, Torrecilhas AC, Marciano MAM, Mazuz ML, Pereira-Chioccola VL, Fux B. Toxoplasmosis in Human and Animals Around the World. Diagnosis and Perspectives in the One Health Approach. Acta Trop 2022; 231:106432. [PMID: 35390311 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a unique health disease that significantly affects the health of humans, domestic animals, wildlife and is present in ecosystems, including water, soil and food. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the best-adapted parasites in the word. This parasite is able to persist for long periods in its hosts, in different geographic regions of the word. This review summarizes the current literature of these themes, focusing on: (1) toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic infection; (2) One health approach and toxoplasmosis; (3) human toxoplasmosis; (4) animal toxoplasmosis; (5) toxoplasmosis diagnosis, as immunological, parasitological and molecular diagnosis; (6) T. gondii outbreaks caused by infected meat, milk and dairy products, as well as, vegetables and water consume; (7) studies in experimental models; (8) genetic characterization of T. gondii strains; (9) extracellular vesicles and miRNA; and (10) future perspectives on T. gondii and toxoplasmosis. The vast prevalence of toxoplasmosis in both humans and animals and the dispersion and resistence of T. gondii parasites in environment highlight the importance of the one health approach in diagnostic and control of the disease. Here the different aspects of the one health approach are presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosangela Aparecida Müller de Barros
- Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.; Programa em Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil..
| | - Ana Claudia Torrecilhas
- Laboratório de Imunologia Celular e Bioquímica de Fungos e Protozoários, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Campus Diadema, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil..
| | | | - Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz
- Parasitology Division, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Israeli Veterinary Service and Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Beit Dagan, 5025000, Israel..
| | | | - Blima Fux
- Unidade de Medicina Tropical, Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil.; Programa em Doenças Infecciosas, Centro de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil..
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Bauer BU, Schoneberg C, Herms TL, Runge M, Ganter M. Surveillance of Coxiella burnetii Shedding in Three Naturally Infected Dairy Goat Herds after Vaccination, Focusing on Bulk Tank Milk and Dust Swabs. Vet Sci 2022; 9:102. [PMID: 35324830 PMCID: PMC8950187 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9030102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever outbreaks on three dairy goat farms (A–C) were monitored after the animals had been vaccinated with an inactivated Coxiella burnetii phase I vaccine. The antibody response was measured before vaccination by serum samples with two C. burnetii phase-specific ELISAs to characterize the disease status. Shedding was determined by vaginal swabs during three kidding seasons and monthly bulk tank milk (BTM) samples. Dust swabs from one windowsill of each barn and from the milking parlors were collected monthly to evaluate the indoor exposure. These samples were analyzed by qPCR. The phase-specific serology revealed an acute Q fever infection in herd A, whereas herds B and C had an ongoing and past infection, respectively. In all three herds, vaginal shedders were present during three kidding seasons. In total, 50%, 69%, and 15% of all collected BTM samples were C. burnetii positive in herds A, B, and C, respectively. Barn dust contained C. burnetii DNA in 71%, 45%, and 50% of examined swabs collected from farms A, B, and C, respectively. The largest number of C. burnetii positive samples was obtained from the milking parlor (A: 91%, B: 72%, C: 73%), indicating a high risk for humans to acquire Q fever during milking activity.
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Rojas-Pirela M, Medina L, Rojas MV, Liempi AI, Castillo C, Pérez-Pérez E, Guerrero-Muñoz J, Araneda S, Kemmerling U. Congenital Transmission of Apicomplexan Parasites: A Review. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:751648. [PMID: 34659187 PMCID: PMC8519608 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.751648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexans are a group of pathogenic protists that cause various diseases in humans and animals that cause economic losses worldwide. These unicellular eukaryotes are characterized by having a complex life cycle and the ability to evade the immune system of their host organism. Infections caused by some of these parasites affect millions of pregnant women worldwide, leading to various adverse maternal and fetal/placental effects. Unfortunately, the exact pathogenesis of congenital apicomplexan diseases is far from being understood, including the mechanisms of how they cross the placental barrier. In this review, we highlight important aspects of the diseases caused by species of Plasmodium, Babesia, Toxoplasma, and Neospora, their infection during pregnancy, emphasizing the possible role played by the placenta in the host-pathogen interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Rojas-Pirela
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Facultad de Farmacia y Bioanálisis, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
| | - Lisvaneth Medina
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Maria Verónica Rojas
- Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Ana Isabel Liempi
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Núcleo de Investigación Aplicada en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de Las Américas, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Jesús Guerrero-Muñoz
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian Araneda
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Facultad de Salud y Odontología, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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12
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Attipa C, Yiapanis C, Tasker S, Diakou A. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Cats from Cyprus. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10070882. [PMID: 34358032 PMCID: PMC8308511 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a cosmopolitan protozoon parasite, and the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, one of the most prevalent zoonotic parasitic diseases. Cats, as definitive hosts, spread the parasite via their faeces, but this occurs only for a very short period in their life. Seropositivity in cats, although not associated with current shedding of the parasite, is indicative of the infection in a cat population and can be used to assess the infection risk for definitive and intermediate hosts in that area. In order to assess the prevalence of infection in cats living in Cyprus, 155 cats, originating from all districts of the country, were examined for the presence of T. gondii antibodies. Additionally, parameters such as age, sex, health status, lifestyle and concomitant infections were statistically assessed as potential risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity. Specific anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 50 (32.3%) cats, while the presence of feline immunodeficiency virus antibodies and a history of never having been vaccinated were statistically associated with T. gondii seropositivity on multivariate logistic regression analysis. This is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in cats in Cyprus and indicates that raised public awareness should be considered to prevent infection of animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Attipa
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Cyvets Veterinary Center, Paphos 8025, Cyprus;
- Correspondence: or (C.A.); (A.D.)
| | | | - Séverine Tasker
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS40 5DU, UK;
- Linnaeus Group, Shirley, Solihull B90 4BN, UK
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
- Correspondence: or (C.A.); (A.D.)
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13
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Perrucci S, Guardone L, Altomonte I, Salari F, Nardoni S, Martini M, Mancianti F. Apicomplexan Protozoa Responsible for Reproductive Disorders: Occurrence of DNA in Blood and Milk of Donkeys ( Equus asinus) and Minireview of the Related Literature. Pathogens 2021; 10:111. [PMID: 33499205 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Donkeys may be susceptible to many pathological agents and may act as carriers of pathogens for other animal species and humans. This study evaluated the occurrence of potentially abortifacient apicomplexan protozoa DNA in blood and milk samples collected at different time periods during lactation (1, 6, and 10 months) from 33 healthy dairy jennies. A total of 73 blood and 73 milk samples were used for DNA extraction and analysis. Blood specimens from 11/33 (33%) jennies scored positive for Theileria equi, while milk samples scored negative. Blood and milk of 3/33 jennies yielded DNA of Toxoplasma gondii at 6 months (n. 1) and 10 months (n. 2) after parturition. Neospora caninum DNA was found in four milk and in five blood samples only at one month after parturition. This study is the first report about the presence of N. caninum DNA in milk of naturally infected jennies. Moreover, the excretion of N. caninum DNA in some of these jennies at 30 days from the parturition may suggest a possible occurrence of an endogenous cycle, while the presence of T. gondii DNA in the milk collected at 6 and 10 months after parturition may be suggestive of a discontinuous excretion.
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14
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Almeida D, Quirino J, Barradas PF, da Silva PG, Pereira M, Cruz R, Santos C, Mega AC, Esteves F, Nóbrega C, Vala H, Gärtner F, Amorim I, Mesquita JR. A 2-Year Longitudinal Seroepidemiological Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in a Cohort of Autochthonous Sheep from Central Portugal. Pathogens 2021; 10:40. [PMID: 33419095 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [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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15
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Pavone S, Crotti S, Cruciani D, D'Avino N, Zema J, Morelli S, Gobbi M, Madeo L. Fatal systemic toxoplasmosis in a 3-month-old young tibetan goat (Capra hircus). BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:423. [PMID: 33148257 PMCID: PMC7640701 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02641-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic infections in both humans and animals. It is a frequent cause of abortion and stillbirth in intermediate hosts, especially sheep and goats but rarely causes fatal clinical form in adult animals. Case presentation In contrast, the study reports an unusual fatal case of toxoplasmosis in a young goat naturally infected with type II strain of Toxoplasma gondii. A three-month-old female goat was presented with dyspnea and died few days later. Grossly, lungs were firm, edematous and mottled with disseminated whitish areas. Generalized lymphadenopathy was found. The histopathological examination showed necrotic interstitial bronchopneumonia and necrotizing lymphadenitis with intralesional free and clustered within macrophages tachyzoites of T. gondii. DNA extracted from lungs and lymph nodes was positive for T. gondii by a fast qPCR. PCR-RFLP analysis and sequencing of GRA6 gene showed that the isolated strains belonged to type II genotype. Conclusions This is an unusual report of acute systemic toxoplasmosis caused by the type II strain of T. gondii with a fatal outcome in a young goat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Pavone
- Zooprophylactic Experimental Institute of Umbria and Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Crotti
- Zooprophylactic Experimental Institute of Umbria and Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Deborah Cruciani
- Zooprophylactic Experimental Institute of Umbria and Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta D'Avino
- Zooprophylactic Experimental Institute of Umbria and Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Jacopo Zema
- Zooprophylactic Experimental Institute of Umbria and Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Zooprophylactic Experimental Institute of Umbria and Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Laura Madeo
- Zooprophylactic Experimental Institute of Umbria and Marche "Togo Rosati", Via G. Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
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16
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Almeria S, Dubey JP. Foodborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the last decade. An overview. Res Vet Sci 2020; 135:371-385. [PMID: 33148402 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease of global distribution and importance. It is caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, the only species in the Toxoplasma genus. This parasite can infect most warm-blooded animals, including humans and livestock. Main routes of transmission are by ingestion of tissue cysts in raw or undercooked meat of infected animals, ingestion of raw vegetables or water contaminated with T. gondii oocysts from cat feces, and transplacental. Around one-third of human beings are chronically infected with T. gondii. Most infections appear to be asymptomatic in immunocompetent persons, but toxoplasmosis can be fatal to the fetus and immunocompromised adults. Water and foodborne outbreaks have been caused by this parasite worldwide, but few are well documented. Importantly, T. gondii is a parasite of high importance in animal health, causing reproductive failure, particularly in small ruminants, and clinical toxoplasmosis in many species. This overview discusses the knowledge of T. gondii infections in the last decade focusing on the foodborne transmission of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Almeria
- Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Nutrition, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Division of Virulence Assessment, Laurel, MD 20708, USA.
| | - J P Dubey
- USA Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Disease Laboratory, Building 1001, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA
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17
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Romanelli PR, Matos AMRND, Pinto-Ferreira F, Caldart ET, Oliveira JSD, Anteveli G, Jeanfelice BCDS, Stolf RL, Sanches TF, Silva MKE, Minho AP, Cavalcante ACR, Freire RL, Mitsuka-Breganó R, Navarro IT. Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections and factors associated in goats in the Parana state, Southern Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 29:e003620. [PMID: 33053053 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612020076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora caninum antibodies and their associated factors among goats in farms from the Paraná state, South Brazil. The serological analysis was performed by indirect ELISA on 629 goat serum samples collected from 32 farms distributed in five mesorregions from the state. Seropositivity was observed in 30.7% of the animals for T. gondii, 6.3% for N. caninum, and 3.0% for both agents. Final multiple regression models showed that the use of assisted reproduction decreased the chance of seropositivity for T. gondii (PR=0.70) and the slaughtering site on the farm (PR=2.03) increased it. To N. caninum, the supplying concentrated feed to animals (OR=4.80) and animal pre-weaning death (OR=9.96) increased the chance of seropositivity. The variables associated with these seropositivities suggest deficiencies in sanitation and reproductive management. In addition, it recognizes critical points of infection for animal production management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Roberto Romanelli
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Fernanda Pinto-Ferreira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Eloiza Teles Caldart
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Juliana Silva de Oliveira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Gabriela Anteveli
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | | | - Rafael Luiz Stolf
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Tainá Favoreto Sanches
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Mariana Kassab E Silva
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | | | | | - Roberta Lemos Freire
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Regina Mitsuka-Breganó
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
| | - Italmar Teodorico Navarro
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina - UEL, Londrina, PR, Brasil
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18
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Bawm S, Phyu AZ, Chel HM, Htun LL, Nakao R, Katakura K. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in household cats in Myanmar and molecular identification of parasites using feline faecal oocysts. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2020; 20:e00094. [PMID: 32995585 PMCID: PMC7502821 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2020.e00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Felids play an important role in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii to humans and other animals since they can excrete millions of oocysts into the environment as definitive hosts. In the present study, seroprevalence and risk factors of feline Toxoplasma infection were investigated, and molecular identification was conducted for T. gondii oocysts isolated from faecal samples of seropositive cats. A total of 276 cat serum samples collected from the Yangon, Myanmar were tested for T. gondii antibodies by ELISA. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 41.30% (114 seropositive cats). Age between 1 and 6 years (OR = 3.284; 95% CI = 1.462–7.375), age > 6 years (OR = 4.560; 95% CI = 1.588–13.100) and sex (OR = 1.725; 95% CI = 1.026–2.899) were found to be significant (P < 0.05) factors associated with T. gondii infection. DNA samples extracted from a single oocyst of seropositive cats were employed in three PCR assays amplifying parasite TOX-element and mitochondrial COI, and SAG2 locus. The obtained sequences of TOX-elements (n = 6) and COI (n = 5) were identical to those of T. gondii previously deposited in Genbank. SAG2 PCR yielded three different sequences, all of which were clustered with Type I T. gondii isolates in a phylogenetic tree. This study reported the seroprevalence and risk factors for T. gondii infection in cats and provided the molecular information on the parasite in Myanmar. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats was investigated for the first time in Myanmar. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in cats was 41.30% (out of 114 seropositive individuals). Age, sex, and type of feed were associated with T. gondii infection. The obtained sequences of TOX-element and COI were identical to those of T. gondii deposited in GenBank. The obtained SAG2 sequences were clustered with T. gondii Type I isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saw Bawm
- Department of International Relations and Information Technology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar.,Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
| | - Aye Zar Phyu
- Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
| | - Hla Myet Chel
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar.,Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Lat Lat Htun
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ken Katakura
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
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19
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Dubey JP, Murata FHA, Cerqueira-Cézar CK, Kwok OCH. Public health and economic importance of Toxoplasma gondii infections in goats: The last decade. Res Vet Sci 2020; 132:292-307. [PMID: 32711218 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. Toxoplasmosis in goats continues to be of public health and economic concern. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the prevalence of clinical and subclinical infections, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and genetic diversity of T. gondii in goats in the past decade. There is debate and uncertainty regarding excretion of T. gondii in milk and the ingestion of raw milk as sources of T. gondii infection for humans. Toxoplasmosis can cause abortion and deaths even in adult goats. PCR-RFLP typing of T. gondii DNA derived from viable T. gondii isolates has revealed genetic diversity in goats in North and South America. The significance of T. gondii isolates in domestic goats usually associated with wildlife in USA is discussed. 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
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20
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Fecková M, Antolová D, Janičko M, Monika H, Štrkolcová G, Goldová M, Weissová T, Lukáč B, Nováková M. The cross-sectional study of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in selected groups of population in Slovakia. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2020; 65:871-7. [PMID: 32415566 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-020-00797-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite with domestic or free-living members of family Felidae known as the only definitive hosts of the parasite. The study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in selected population groups in Slovakia and to analyse the infection risk factors. Totally 1536 serum samples of voluntary respondents were examined by EIA Toxoplasma IgG (Test-Line Ltd., Clinical Diagnostics, Brno, Czech Republic). IgG antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 322 (21.0%) sera, with the highest seropositivity recorded among farmers (42.5%) and hunters (28.5%). According to age, the highest seropositivity was recorded in 12-18-year-old Roma children (46.2%), what confirms increased risk of infection in this minority that often lives in inadequate hygiene conditions. When only adult participants were taken into account, the highest seroprevalence was observed in the age group of ≥ 70 years. Higher risk of infection (p < 0.05) was connected with cat ownership, living in rural residency and consumption of raw meat and meat processing. The results underline the importance of preventive measures and ongoing need to improve the knowledge on toxoplasmosis in both professionals and public.
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Dahmane A, Boussena S, Hafsi F, Ghalmi F. Serological Survey and Associated Risk Factors on Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Goats in Mila District, Algeria. Folia Veterinaria 2020; 64:48-59. [DOI: 10.2478/fv-2020-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite prevalent in humans and other animals worldwide having medical and veterinary importance on account of reproductive failure causing significant socioeconomic losses. The aims of this study were to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in goats, determined the possible risk factors associated, and evaluate the performances of the latex agglutination test (LAT) to anti-T. gondii antibodies screening using the indirect Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as a reference test (iELISA). A total of 184 serum samples from goats reared on 25 farms in Mila district from North-Eastern Algeria were collected and tested for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies using two commercial serological tests (ELISA and LAT). A seroprevalence rate of 71.73 % and 63.58 % was obtained by both ELISA and LAT tests, respectively. The analysis of some factors thought to be related to the onset of this infection such as age, sex, management system, locality and presence of cats showed no significant relationship (P > 0.05); these factors did not seem to affect the frequency of the infection. The seropositivity level of T. gondii was significantly higher in aborted goats (P = 0.007), which suggested that they may play a significant role in pregnancy failure. In the concordance evaluation between the two serological tests (ELISA and LAT), the Cohen’s Kappa value was calculated and the results showed a K of 0.519 (p = 0.000) belonging to the range of 0.41—0.60 indicating just average agreement. The results of the Mc Nemar test showed that both tests gave significantly different results and seropositivity values (P < 0.05). The high prevalence observed in this study indicated a widespread exposure to T. gondii from goats and the potential risk of T. gondii infection for humans in North-Eastern Algeria. These results elucidate the challenges of applying serology to estimate goat exposure to T. gondii. The choice between the two serological tests will depend on their performances, as well as the availability of the equipment, laboratory conditions and the number of samples to be tested.
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Pinto-Ferreira F, Caldart ET, Pasquali AKS, Mitsuka-Breganó R, Freire RL, Navarro IT. Patterns of Transmission and Sources of Infection in Outbreaks of Human Toxoplasmosis. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 25:2177-2182. [PMID: 31742524 PMCID: PMC6874273 DOI: 10.3201/eid2512.181565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on apparent temporal progression of probable sources of infection and transmission routes for global human toxoplasmosis outbreaks as described in published articles. We searched the Scientific Electronic Library Online, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases for articles on Toxoplasma, toxoplasmosis, and outbreaks. We found that transmission routes for Toxoplasma gondii varied by decade. In the 1960s and 1990s, toxoplasmosis outbreaks mainly occurred through ingestion of cysts in meat and meat derivatives; in the 1980s, through milk contaminated with tachyzoites; in 2000, due to the presence of oocysts in water, sand, and soil; and in 2010, due to oocysts in raw fruits and vegetables. Our study suggests a possible change in the epidemiology of reported toxoplasmosis outbreaks. Because of this change, we suggest that greater attention be paid to the disinfection of vegetables, as well as to the quality of water used for drinking and irrigation.
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Jiang N, Su R, Jian F, Su C, Zhang L, Jiang Y, Yang Y. Toxoplasma gondii in lambs of China: Heart juice serology, isolation and genotyping. Int J Food Microbiol 2020; 322:108563. [PMID: 32113068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2020.108563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common foodborne diseases in the world. The objective of this study was to determine Toxoplasma gondii infection in lambs from Henan province, China. A total of 166 lamb hearts were collected from 2017 to 2019. T. gondii infection was determined by the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT) using heart juice of lambs. 11 isolates (TgSheepCHn3 - TgSheepCHn13) were obtained from samples with MAT titers ≥1:100. The rate of T. gondii isolation increased with antibody titer against T. gondii (P < 0.05). No isolate was obtained from samples with titer 1:25 and 1:50, suggesting the cut-off titer for MAT is better set at 1:100. With cut-off value of 1:100, IgG antibodies to T. gondii were found in 25.3% (42/166) of the lambs by MAT. T. gondii parasite was not found in IHC and HE-stained tissue sections of lamb hearts (0/166). Sixty-seven heart tissues with ≥1:25 MAT titers were subjected to acid pepsin digestion and detected T. gondii by PCR. Only 7.5% (5/67) of DNA amplified products were found in heart tissues by the primer TOX5/TOX8. Brain tissue cysts were observed in all mice infected with the 11 isolates at day 60 post infection, suggesting these isolates are non-lethal to mice. PCR-RFLP analysis revealed that 7 isolates belonged to ToxoDB#2, 4 isolates belonged to ToxoDB#4. This is the first isolation of ToxoDB#2 and ToxoDB#4 from lambs in China. Interestingly, none of these isolates belongs to the ToxoDB#9 that is common in China. Our results suggest that the genetic diversity and population structure of T. gondii from China maybe more abundant and magical than previous speculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruijing Su
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fuchun Jian
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA.
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Yibao Jiang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Yurong Yang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China.
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Ranucci D, Battisti E, Veronesi F, Diaferia M, Morganti G, Branciari R, Ferroglio E, Valiani A, Chiesa F. Absence of Viable Toxoplasma gondii in Artisanal Raw-Milk Ewe Cheese Derived from Naturally Infected Animals. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E143. [PMID: 31968682 PMCID: PMC7023469 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8010143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of viable Toxoplasma gondii was investigated in artisanal cheeses made from milk of naturally infected ewes. Ewe milk was analyzed beforehand for the presence and vitality of T. gondii by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), respectively. Cheeses were prepared from raw milk following a traditional cheesemaking process. The cheese obtained from T. gondii-positive milk was analyzed by LAMP to detect Toxoplasma DNA-positive samples. RT-PCR was then carried out to assess the viability of the parasites in T. gondii-positive milk samples and fresh cheese, after 5 and 15 days of ripening. Physical-chemical parameters of cheeses were also investigated. All cheese samples derived from T. gondii-positive milk were positive according to LAMP, at both 5 and 15 days of ripening, while none of the samples were positive according to RT-PCR. Thus, while the presence of the parasite was demonstrated by the detection of specific DNA, the absence of detectable T. gondii RNA supports the hypothesis that changes in the chemical and physical characteristics occurring during the cheesemaking process and ripening period, could be sufficient to inactivate viable T. gondii in milk, minimizing the risk of human infection through consumption of raw sheep milk cheese.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ranucci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo Street 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (D.R.); (M.D.); (G.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Elena Battisti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Paolo Braccini Square 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy; (E.B.); (E.F.); (F.C.)
| | - Fabrizia Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo Street 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (D.R.); (M.D.); (G.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Manuela Diaferia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo Street 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (D.R.); (M.D.); (G.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Giulia Morganti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo Street 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (D.R.); (M.D.); (G.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Raffaella Branciari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, San Costanzo Street 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy; (D.R.); (M.D.); (G.M.); (R.B.)
| | - Ezio Ferroglio
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Paolo Braccini Square 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy; (E.B.); (E.F.); (F.C.)
| | - Andrea Valiani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Salvemini Street 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Francesco Chiesa
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Paolo Braccini Square 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy; (E.B.); (E.F.); (F.C.)
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Sah RP, Dey AR, Rahman AKMA, Alam MZ, Talukder MH. Molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii from aborted fetuses of sheep, goats and cattle in Bangladesh. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2019; 18:100347. [PMID: 31796182 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The study was planned to apply the PCR method for detection of T. gondii infection in sheep, goats and cattle aborted fetuses from Mymensingh, Bangladesh. A total of 58 fetal tissue samples (brain, liver, heart, skeletal muscle and placenta) of sheep (5), goats (5) and cattle (2) were selected for study. Aborted fetuses were taken from serologically positive mothers by indirect ELISA. Among them 24 and 34 samples were subjected for PCR assay by using TgB1 and TgTox4 primers respectively. DNA fragments were visualized under UV illumination after gel run. The results demonstrated 15.52% tissue samples from sheep and goat aborted fetuses were positive for T. gondii parasite. Among different tissue samples, brain, liver and heart showed presence of T. gondii parasite. None of tissue samples showed positive in case of cattle. The results of the PCR exhibited that T. gondii infection might be considered as one of the major causative agents for abortion in ewes and does. Further studies are needed to improve our knowledge on different genotypes of T. gondii that infect sheep, goat and cattle population in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Prasad Sah
- Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh; Agricultural Research Station, Pakhribas, Dhankuta, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Nepal
| | - Anita Rani Dey
- Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - A K M Anisur Rahman
- Department of Medicine, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Zahangir Alam
- Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
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Costa MA, Pinto‐Ferreira F, Almeida RPA, Martins FDC, Pires AL, Mareze M, Mitsuka‐Breganó R, Freire RL, Moreira RV, Borges JM, Navarro IT. Artisan fresh cheese from raw cow's milk as a possible route of transmission in a toxoplasmosis outbreak, in Brazil. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 67:122-129. [DOI: 10.1111/zph.12660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Alexandra Costa
- Gerência de Vigilância Epidemiológica Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de Goiás Montes Claros de Goiás Brazil
| | | | | | - Felippe Danyel Cardoso Martins
- Núcleo de Vigilância Epidemiológica Secretária Municipal da Saúde de Montes Claros de Goiás Montes Claros de Goiás Brazil
| | - Adriene Lino Pires
- Núcleo de Vigilância Epidemiológica Secretária Municipal da Saúde de Montes Claros de Goiás Montes Claros de Goiás Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Rosalynd Vinicios Moreira
- Secretária de Vigilância em Saúde Ministério da Saúde Unidade de Vigilância das Doenças de Transmissão Hídrica e Alimentar Brasília Brazil
| | - Juliene Meira Borges
- Secretária de Vigilância em Saúde Ministério da Saúde Unidade de Vigilância das Doenças de Transmissão Hídrica e Alimentar Brasília Brazil
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Abstract
The present paper summarizes prevalence, epidemiology and clinical disease of natural Toxoplasma gondii infections in humans and animals from Egypt. The current situation of toxoplasmosis in Egypt is confusing. There is no central laboratory or group of researchers actively investigating toxoplasmosis in humans or animals, and no reports on the national level are available. Based on various serological tests and convenience samples, T. gondii infections appear highly prevalent in humans and animals from Egypt. Living circumstances in Egypt favour the transmission of T. gondii. Up to 95% of domestic cats, the key host of T. gondii, are infected with T. gondii; they are abundant in rural and suburban areas, spreading T. gondii oocysts. Many women have been tested in maternity clinics, most with no definitive diagnosis. Toxoplasma gondii DNA and IgM antibodies have been found in blood samples of blood donors. Clinical toxoplasmosis in humans from Egypt needs further investigations using definitive procedures. Reports on congenital toxoplasmosis are conflicting and some reports are alarming. Although there are many serological surveys for T. gondii in animals, data on clinical infections are lacking. Here, we critically review the status of toxoplasmosis in Egypt, which should be useful to biologist, public health workers, veterinarians and physicians.
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Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Villa L, Manfredi MT. Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected goats: Monitoring of specific IgG levels in serum and milk during lactation and parasitic DNA detection in milk. Prev Vet Med 2019; 170:104738. [PMID: 31421505 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The zoonotic protozoa Toxoplasma gondii is one of the major abortive pathogens in small ruminants. Nevertheless, data on T. gondii infection in goats during lactation and on the presence of T. gondii in goat milk are lacking. A longitudinal study was planned in a T. gondii naturally infected dairy goat farm with the aim of (i) evaluating the variation of anti-T. gondii antibodies in blood and milk during the lactation; (ii) identifying the optimal phase during lactation for T. gondii monitoring; (iii) detecting the presence of T. gondii DNA in the milk. From March to July 2017, 30 goats in a farm were fortnightly visited seven times and sampled for blood and, when in lactation, for milk. Individual data regarding age, reproductive disorders, and the day of lactation were recorded. For the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies in blood and milk a commercial ELISA kit was used. Milk samples (n = 63) of selected nine seropositive animals were also molecularly analysed to amplify a sequence within the ITS1 region of T. gondii. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 63.3% (19/30); a high agreement was obtained between serum and milk results (Spearman's coefficient = 0.793 and Kendall's tau = 0.624), particularly between the 15th and the 60th day of lactation. In the statistical analysis, performed with generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs), the variable "phase of lactation" was strongly associated to ELISA values obtained in both serum and milk (p-value = 0.0001, F = 5.197, and p-value = 0.016, F = 2.755, respectively). Finally, molecular analyses revealed the presence of parasitic DNA in 20.6% (13/63) of milk samples, with a discontinuous parasite excretion; statistical analyses did not reveal any association among the parasite excretion and the considered variables. Milk could be considered as a valid alternative to blood for monitoring T. gondii infection in goat herds. Moreover, the detection of T. gondii DNA in milk enhanced the possibility for raw goat's milk consumption to be considered as a risk to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Bărburaș D, Gyӧrke A, Blaga R, Bărburaș R, Kalmár Z, Vişan S, Mircean V, Blaizot A, Cozma V. Toxoplasma gondii in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Romania: what is the importance for public health? Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2695-2703. [PMID: 31309289 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06396-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in autochthonous Carpathian buffaloes from northwestern Romania by serology, PCR techniques, and mouse bioassay. Agreement between MAT and ELISA, correlation between indirect and direct detection methods, and risk factors were evaluated. The apparent overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 8.1% by MAT and 6.6% by ELISA. The agreement between ELISA and MAT was fair. The apparent seroprevalence was significantly higher in adult buffaloes (12.5%) compared to calves (0.0%) and juveniles (1.9%) by MAT. Most of the positive adult buffaloes detected by MAT had antibodies at a low sera dilution and the highest dilution was 1:768 in a juvenile female (30 months). No viable T. gondii was detected by mouse bioassay, as no T. gondii cyst or DNA was found in the brain of mice and they did not seroconvert. However, T. gondii DNA was detected in two buffaloes: in a 30-month-old male buffalo by qPCR on the diaphragm digest and in a 252-month-old female buffalo by RE nPCR on the mesenteric lymph node. Both animals were negative in MAT and ELISA. The total prevalence of T. gondii by direct detection methods was 2.7%. There was no correlation between indirect and direct detection methods. Since no viable T. gondii was detected in buffaloes, the risk of human infection from buffalo meat is minimal. Buffaloes' biological response to a T. gondii infection appears to be very similar to the response of cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Bărburaș
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Adriana Gyӧrke
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Radu Blaga
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, F-94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Zsuzsa Kalmár
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Simona Vişan
- Department of Functional Genomics, Proteomics and Experimental Pathology, The Oncology Institute "Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta", 34-36 Republicii, 400015, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, Romania
| | - Viorica Mircean
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Amandine Blaizot
- UMR BIPAR, INRA, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, F-94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Vasile Cozma
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăştur Street, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Thái TL, Jun H, Park SH, Lê HG, Lee J, Ahn SK, Kang JM, Myint MK, Lin K, Sohn WM, Nam HW, Na BK, Kim TS. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among School Children in Pyin Oo Lwin and Naung Cho, Upper Myanmar. Korean J Parasitol 2019; 57:303-308. [PMID: 31284355 PMCID: PMC6616164 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.3.303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite that can cause toxoplasmosis in a wide range of warm-blooded animals including humans. In this study, we analyzed seroprevalence of T. gondii among 467 school children living in the rural areas of Pyin Oo Lwin and Naung Cho, Myanmar. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii among school children was 23.5%; 22.5% of children were positive for T. gondii IgG, 0.4% of children were positive for T. gondii IgM, and 0.6% of children were positive for both T. gondii IgG and IgM. Geographical factors did not significantly affect the seroprevalence frequency between Pyin Oo Lwin and Naung Cho, Myanmar. No significant difference was found between males (22.2%) and females (25.0%). The overall seroprevalence among school children differed by ages (10 years old [13.6%], 11–12 years old [19.8%], 13–14 years old [24.6%], and 15–16 years old [28.0%]), however, the result was not significant. Polymerase chain reaction analysis for T. gondii B1 gene for IgG-positive and IgM-positive blood samples were negative, indicating no direct evidence of active infection. These results collectively suggest that T. gondii infection among school children in Myanmar was relatively high. Integrated and improved strategies including reinforced education on toxoplasmosis should be implemented to prevent and control T. gondii infection among school children in Myanmar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thị Lam Thái
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea.,BK21Plus Team for Anti-aging Biotechnology and Industry, Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Hojong Jun
- Department of Tropical Medicine, and Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Seo-Hye Park
- Department of Tropical Medicine, and Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Hương Giang Lê
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea.,BK21Plus Team for Anti-aging Biotechnology and Industry, Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Jinyoung Lee
- Department of Tropical Medicine, and Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Seong Kyu Ahn
- Department of Tropical Medicine, and Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea
| | - Jung-Mi Kang
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea.,BK21Plus Team for Anti-aging Biotechnology and Industry, Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Moe Kyaw Myint
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
| | - Khin Lin
- Department of Medical Research Pyin Oo Lwin Branch, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar
| | - Woon-Mok Sohn
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Ho-Woo Nam
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Byoung-Kuk Na
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea.,BK21Plus Team for Anti-aging Biotechnology and Industry, Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Tong-Soo Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine, and Inha Research Institute for Medical Sciences, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Korea
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Foroutan M, Dalvand S, Daryani A, Ahmadpour E, Majidiani H, Khademvatan S, Abbasi E. Rolling up the pieces of a puzzle: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Iran. Alexandria Journal of Medicine 2018; 54:189-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajme.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
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Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii, an apicomplexan parasite, is a pathogenic protozoan that can infect the central nervous system. In pregnant women, infection can result in congenital problems of the fetus, while in immunocompromised individual it can lead to severe neurological consequences. Although CD8 T cells play an important effector role in controlling the chronic infection, their maintenance is dependent on the critical help provided by CD4 T cells. In a recent study, we demonstrated that reactivation of the infection in chronically infected host is a consequence of CD8 T dysfunction caused by CD4 T cell exhaustion. Furthermore, treatment of chronically infected host with antigen-specific non-exhausted CD4 T cells can restore CD8 T cell functionality and prevent reactivation of the latent infection. The exhaustion status of CD4 T cells is mediated by the increased expression of the transcription factor BLIMP-1, and deletion of this molecule led to the restoration of CD4 T cell function, reversal of CD8 exhaustion and prevention of reactivation of the latent infection. In a recent study from our laboratory, we also observed an increased expression of miR146a levels by CD4 T cells from the chronically infected animals. Recent reports have demonstrated that microRNAs (especially miR146a) has a strong impact on the immune system of T. gondii infected host. Whether these molecules have any role in the BLIMP-1 up-regulation and dysfunctionality of these cells needs to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imtiaz A. Khan
- Department Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
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Iacobucci E, Taus NS, Ueti MW, Sukhbaatar L, Bastsukh Z, Papageorgiou S, Fritz H. Detection and genotypic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii DNA within the milk of Mongolian livestock. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2005-8. [PMID: 30982139 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06306-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a global, zoonotic parasite capable of infecting any warm-blooded host. Toxoplasmosis can cause a variety of illnesses including abortions and congenital defects in humans, sheep, and goats. Congenital toxoplasmosis is considered to have the highest global disease burden of any foodborne illness in humans. This study examined the potential role of milk as a route of T. gondii transmission between livestock and humans within Mongolian herders, a little-studied population which relies heavily on animals. Milk of Mongolian sheep, goats and Bactrian camels was tested for the presence of T. gondii DNA, and a survey was conducted to ascertain what behavioral and environmental factors were present that might potentiate T. gondii infection within these Mongolian communities. T. gondii DNA was detected in samples from one sheep and five camels. Sequence analysis of DNA from camel milk revealed that two were from potentially virulent T. gondii genotypes. This has implications for public health in the region, as milk is an extremely important source of nutrition and our survey results imply that some people believe consumption of raw camel milk carries health benefits. This is the first report of T. gondii DNA in Bactrian camel milk as well as the first genotypic characterization of T. gondii within Mongolia.
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Alvarez-Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover-Cid S, Chemaly M, Davies R, De Cesare A, Herman L, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Cacciò S, Chalmers R, Deplazes P, Devleesschauwer B, Innes E, Romig T, van der Giessen J, Hempen M, Van der Stede Y, Robertson L. Public health risks associated with food-borne parasites. EFSA J 2018; 16:e05495. [PMID: 32625781 PMCID: PMC7009631 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites are important food‐borne pathogens. Their complex lifecycles, varied transmission routes, and prolonged periods between infection and symptoms mean that the public health burden and relative importance of different transmission routes are often difficult to assess. Furthermore, there are challenges in detection and diagnostics, and variations in reporting. A Europe‐focused ranking exercise, using multicriteria decision analysis, identified potentially food‐borne parasites of importance, and that are currently not routinely controlled in food. These are Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Echinococcus spp. Infection with these parasites in humans and animals, or their occurrence in food, is not notifiable in all Member States. This Opinion reviews current methods for detection, identification and tracing of these parasites in relevant foods, reviews literature on food‐borne pathways, examines information on their occurrence and persistence in foods, and investigates possible control measures along the food chain. The differences between these three parasites are substantial, but for all there is a paucity of well‐established, standardised, validated methods that can be applied across the range of relevant foods. Furthermore, the prolonged period between infection and clinical symptoms (from several days for Cryptosporidium to years for Echinococcus spp.) means that source attribution studies are very difficult. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the domestic animal lifecycle (involving dogs and livestock) for Echinoccocus granulosus means that this parasite is controllable. For Echinococcus multilocularis, for which the lifecycle involves wildlife (foxes and rodents), control would be expensive and complicated, but could be achieved in targeted areas with sufficient commitment and resources. Quantitative risk assessments have been described for Toxoplasma in meat. However, for T. gondii and Cryptosporidium as faecal contaminants, development of validated detection methods, including survival/infectivity assays and consensus molecular typing protocols, are required for the development of quantitative risk assessments and efficient control measures.
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Dong H, Su R, Lu Y, Wang M, Liu J, Jian F, Yang Y. Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii in Food Animals and Humans (2000-2017) From China. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2108. [PMID: 30254613 PMCID: PMC6141634 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii as a food-borne pathogen, the infection of it in food animals has relation with human toxoplasmosis, but the trends and epidemiological features of T. gondii infections in food animals are rarely studied in China. The aimed of this study was to assess the epidemiology and risks of T. gondii in sheep, goats, swines, chickens, yaks, cattle and humans from 2000 to 2017 and to explore prevention and control strategies. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infections in food animals is 23.7% (39,194/165,417, 95%CI, 23.49-23.90%), which is significantly higher than that in humans (8.2%, 95%CI, 8.06-8.39%, 8,502/103,383) (P < 0.0001). Compared the prevalence of T. gondii infections in animals and humans sampled from 2000 to 2010, it was significantly increased in the period 2011 to 2017 (P < 0.0001). Compared the food animals from non-Yangtze River, animals from regions of the Yangtze River have high seroprevalence rates for T. gondii (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, samples from the western to eastern regions of the Yellow River showed an increase in seroprevalence for T. gondii (P < 0.0001). It was speculated that T. gondii oocysts may be transmitted by water and annual precipitation possible help the oocyst spread and retain accessible for potential hosts. Effective prevention and control strategies are including water filtration or water boiling, inactivating oocysts from feline's feces, monitoring birds and rodents. Chinese 1 (ToxoDB#9) is the predominant genotype in food animals from China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Dong
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruijing Su
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yaoyao Lu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mengyao Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jing Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fuchun Jian
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yurong Yang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China
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Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Stradiotto K, Olivieri E, Villa L, Manfredi MT. Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Bulk Tank Milk Samples of Caprine Dairy Herds. J Parasitol 2018; 104:560-565. [PMID: 29906217 DOI: 10.1645/17-44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A major public health issue, Toxoplasma gondii infection can affect humans mainly via the consumption of animal products from certain species, including small ruminants. Therefore, a regular monitoring of the infection in ovine and caprine populations is advisable for the control of human and animal toxoplasmosis. Antibody detection in individual and bulk tank milk (BTM) may represent a valid alternative to serological analysis, in that its collection is easy and does not affect animal welfare. Many serological tools for milk analysis have already been validated for several parasites, including Apicomplexa. Thus, the aim of the present study was to obtain epidemiological data on T. gondii infection through the detection of antibodies in BTM of dairy goat herds from an important area for caprine dairy production (northern Italy). The performance of a commercial ELISA was first evaluated for analysis of caprine milk samples, using a panel of serum-milk pairs of goats naturally infected by T. gondii. The analysis of BTM confirmed the presence of anti- T. gondii antibodies in 59% of the samples. Toxoplasma gondii antibody positivity was more frequently found in goats reared on farms under extensive (64.9%) or semi-intensive systems (68.7%) in comparison with intensive farms (51.1%). Analysis of milk was a valid alternative to serological tests, being easily applied in large-scale epidemiological surveys and for continuous monitoring of T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Gazzonis
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - S A Zanzani
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - K Stradiotto
- 2 Associazione Regionale degli Allevatori della Lombardia, 26013 Crema, Italy
| | - E Olivieri
- 3 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - L Villa
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - M T Manfredi
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
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Crotta M, Limon G, Blake D, Guitian J. Knowledge gaps in host-parasite interaction preclude accurate assessment of meat-borne exposure to Toxoplasma gondii. Int J Food Microbiol 2017; 261:95-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Sroka J, Kusyk P, Bilska-Zajac E, Karamon J, Dutkiewicz J, Wojcik-Fatla A, Zajac V, Stojecki K, Rozycki M, Cencek T. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats from the south-west region of Poland and the detection of T. gondii DNA in goat milk. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2017; 64. [PMID: 28783032 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2017.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908) is an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite prevalent in animals and humans worldwide having medical and veterinary importance on account of causing abortion or congenital disease in intermediate hosts, including man. Since T. gondii has already been identified in the milk of goats, Capra aegagrus hircus (Linnaeus), the possibility of acquiring infection by ingesting unpasteurised goat milk should be taken into consideration. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the presence of T. gondii DNA in goat milk. First, 73 goats (females) from 36 farms located in Poland were examined serologically by direct agglutination test (DAT) to estimate the T. gondii serological status. Milk samples from 60 selected lactating females were examined for the presence of T. gondii DNA by Real time PCR and nested PCR (B1 gene). To estimate the clonal type of detected T. gondii, multiplex PCR was performed using 6 markers. In DAT, positive results were found in 70% of 73 goats. Among examined 60 milk samples, 65% were positive in Real time PCR and 43% in nested PCR. It is noteworthy that 11 samples positive in PCR were collected from seronegative goats. The multilocus PCR analysis mostly revealed the occurrence of genotype III, which is relatively rare in Europe. The recorded high prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in tested goats (70%), associated with a high prevalence of T. gondii DNA in goat milk samples (65%), indicates a potential risk of the parasite transmission through goat milk ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Sroka
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Pawel Kusyk
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Ewa Bilska-Zajac
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Jacek Karamon
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Jacek Dutkiewicz
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Angelina Wojcik-Fatla
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Violetta Zajac
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Stojecki
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Miroslaw Rozycki
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Tomasz Cencek
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
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Cisak E, Zając V, Sroka J, Sawczyn A, Kloc A, Dutkiewicz J, Wójcik-Fatla A. Presence of Pathogenic Rickettsiae and Protozoan in Samples of Raw Milk from Cows, Goats, and Sheep. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2017; 14:189-194. [DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2016.2203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Cisak
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Violetta Zając
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Sroka
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Anna Sawczyn
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Kloc
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Dutkiewicz
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
| | - Angelina Wójcik-Fatla
- Department of Health Biohazards and Parasitology, Institute of Rural Health, Lublin, Poland
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Yang Y, Feng Y, Yao Q, Wang Y, Lu Y, Liang H, Zhu X, Zhang L. Seroprevalence, Isolation, Genotyping, and Pathogenicity of Toxoplasma gondii Strains from Sheep in China. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:136. [PMID: 28217119 PMCID: PMC5289961 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important cause of reproductive failure in small ruminants that also poses a risk to consumers who consume undercooked meat. However, little is known about sheep toxoplasmosis in China for the world. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep from China, to isolate T. gondii via bioassay in mice and to evaluate the virulence of the isolated T. gondii based on vero cell invasion and mice. A total of 840 samples (304 unfrozen hearts and 536 sera) from sheep in China were collected from 2014 to 2016. Heart samples (n = 36) of T. gondii seropositive sheep (MAT, ≥25) were bioassayed in mice individually. DNA derived from cell cultured tachyzoites of the isolated T. gondii was characterized by PCR-RFLP of 10 loci (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico). The virulence of the T. gondii was evaluated based on the mortality and encystation in mice, as well as their growth characteristics in cell culture. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 174 of 840 (20.71%, 304 hearts juice and 536 sera) sheep by the modified agglutination test (cut-off 1:25). Viable T. gondii was isolated from the hearts of two of 36 seropositive sheep hearts. Both genotypes of the sheep heart isolates were ToxoDB#9. The virulence of the two ToxoDB#9 isolations varied significantly. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation of ToxoDB#9 strain of T. gondii from sheep in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- YuRong Yang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou, China
| | - YongJie Feng
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou, China
| | - QiuXia Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Lanzhou, China
| | - YingHua Wang
- Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention of Henan Province Zhengzhou, China
| | - YaoYao Lu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou, China
| | - HongDe Liang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou, China
| | - XingQuan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Lanzhou, China
| | - LongXian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University Zhengzhou, China
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Deng H, Dam-Deisz C, Luttikholt S, Maas M, Nielen M, Swart A, Vellema P, van der Giessen J, Opsteegh M. Risk factors related to Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in indoor-housed Dutch dairy goats. Prev Vet Med 2016; 124:45-51. [PMID: 26791753 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii can cause disease in goats, but also has impact on human health through food-borne transmission. Our aims were to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in indoor-housed Dutch dairy goats and to identify the risk factors related to T. gondii seroprevalence. Fifty-two out of ninety approached farmers with indoor-kept goats (58%) participated by answering a standardized questionnaire and contributing 32 goat blood samples each. Serum samples were tested for T. gondii SAG1 antibodies by ELISA and results showed that the frequency distribution of the log10-transformed OD-values fitted well with a binary mixture of a shifted gamma and a shifted reflected gamma distribution. The overall animal seroprevalence was 13.3% (95% CI: 11.7–14.9%), and at least one seropositive animal was found on 61.5% (95% CI: 48.3–74.7%) of the farms. To evaluate potential risk factors on herd level, three modeling strategies (Poisson, negative binomial and zero-inflated) were compared. The negative binomial model fitted the data best with the number of cats (1–4 cats: IR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1–6.5; > = 5 cats:IR: 14.2, 95% CI: 3.9–51.1) and mean animal age (IR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–2.1) related to herd positivity. In conclusion, the ELISA test was 100% sensitive and specific based on binary mixture analysis. T. gondii infection is prevalent in indoor housed Dutch dairy goats but at a lower overall animal level seroprevalence than outdoor farmed goats in other European countries, and cat exposure is an important risk factor.
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Opsteegh M, Schares G, Blaga R, van der Giessen J. Experimental studies on Toxoplasma gondii in the main livestock species (GP/EFSA/BIOHAZ/2013/01) Final report. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2016.en-995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Opsteegh
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) the Netherlands
| | | | - Radu Blaga
- National Veterinary School of Alfort (ENVA ‐JRU BIPAR) France
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Bawm S, Maung WY, Win MY, Thu MJ, Chel HM, Khaing TA, Wai SS, Htun LL, Myaing TT, Tiwananthagorn S, Igarashi M, Katakura K. Serological Survey and Factors Associated with Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Domestic Goats in Myanmar. Scientifica (Cairo) 2016; 2016:4794318. [PMID: 26904362 PMCID: PMC4745940 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4794318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Goat farming is important for the livelihood of millions of rural people because it contributes to food security and creation of assets. However, infection of goats with Toxoplasma gondii could be a source of parasite transmission to humans. The information on T. gondii infection of goat was not reported yet in Myanmar. A total of 119 goat serum samples were collected from three cities in the central region of Myanmar for T. gondii antibody survey. With the occurrence value obtained in this first study, a second one, more complete, with larger number (162) of animals and properties, was carried out and the risk factors and prevalence were determined. In both studies the samples were analyzed by the LAT. Of these, 32 (11.4%) samples were showed to be positive. The infection was associated with the presence of cats at the farm (odds ratio [OR] = 4.66, 95% confidential interval [CI] = 1.03-21.06), farming with different animal species (sheep, cattle, and pigs) (OR = 4.33, 95% CI = 1.57-11.94), and farming without good management practices (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.06-0.83). This is the first T. gondii prevalence study in goats in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saw Bawm
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
- *Saw Bawm:
| | - Wint Yi Maung
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
- Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (Head Quarter), Nay Pyi Taw 15011, Myanmar
| | - Myat Yee Win
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
- Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (Head Quarter), Nay Pyi Taw 15011, Myanmar
| | - May June Thu
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
- Unit of Risk Analysis and Management, Research Centre for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
| | - Hla Myet Chel
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
| | - Tin Aye Khaing
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
- Nay Pyi Taw Development Committee, Nay Pyi Taw 15011, Myanmar
| | - Soe Soe Wai
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
| | - Lat Lat Htun
- Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Nay Pyi Taw 15013, Myanmar
| | | | - Saruda Tiwananthagorn
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
| | - Makoto Igarashi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Ken Katakura
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
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Abstract
AbstractToxoplasma gondiiis a protozoa that causes toxoplasmosis in people and other animals. It is considered one of the most common parasitic infections in the world due to its impressive range of hosts, widespread environmental contamination and the diverse means by which animals can be infected. Despite its ubiquity and numerous ongoing research efforts into both its basic biology and clinical management, many aspects of diagnosis and management of this disease are poorly understood. The range of diagnostic options that is available for veterinary diagnostic investigators are notably more limited than those available to medical diagnosticians, making accurate interpretation of each test result critical. The current review joins other reviews on the parasite with a particular emphasis on the history and continued development of diagnostic tests that are useful for veterinary diagnostic investigations. An understanding of the strengths and shortcomings of current diagnostic techniques will assist veterinary and public health officials in formulating effective treatment and control strategies in diverse animal populations.
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