Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with liver disease in eastern China

SUMMARYThe role of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in the pathogenesis of liver disease has recently gained much interest. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in patients with liver disease from three cities in Shandong and Henan provinces, China. A case–control study was conducted from December 2014 to November 2015 and included 1142 patients with liver disease and 1142 healthy controls. Serum samples were collected from all individuals and were examined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. Information on the demographics, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics of the participants was collected from the medical records and by the use of a questionnaire. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG was 19·7% in patients with liver disease compared with 12·17% in the controls. Only 13 patients had anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies compared with 12 control individuals (1·14% vs. 1·05%, respectively). The highest seroprevalence was detected in patients with liver cancer (22·13%), followed by hepatitis patients (20·86%), liver cirrhosis patients (20·42%), and steatosis patients (20%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that consumption of raw meat (odds ratio (OR) = 1·32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·01–1·71; P = 0·03) and source of drinking water from wells (OR = 1·56; 95% CI 1·08–2·27; P = 0·01) were independent risk factors for T. gondii infection in liver disease patients. These findings indicate that T. gondii infection is more likely to be present in patients with liver disease. Therefore, efforts should be directed toward health education of populations at high risk of T. gondii infection and measures should be taken to protect vulnerable patients with liver disease.

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Potential linkage between Toxoplasma gondii infection and physical education scores of college students

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0241653 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. e0241653

Author(s):

Jun Cai ◽

Zhijin Sheng ◽

Yu Jin ◽

Yinan Du ◽

Xinlei Yan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

College Students ◽

Physical Education ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Anhui Province ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

School Students ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Objective Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide protozoan parasite that could infect virtually all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in college students at Anhui province, China and to assess risk factors for T. gondii infection in college students. Moreover, growing studies demonstrated the association between T. gondii infection and host behavioral changes. We also studied the linkage between T. gondii and physical education (PE) scores of college students. Methods A total of 2704 serum samples of medical school students attending physical education lessons were collected from September 2017 to September 2019 and evaluated for T. gondii IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Questionnaires and statistical analysis were used to determine the risk factors for T. gondii infection. We also analysed PE scores of T. gondii -infected students and T. gondii-uninfected students. Results The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 11.5%. The main risk factors related to T. gondii infection in college students were cat in the household and gardening or agriculture activity. Furthermore, in the basketball group and the soccer group, scores of T. gondii seropositive students were significantly higher than those of seronegative students, while in other sports there was no difference between scores of T. gondii-infected students and T. gondii uninfected students. Conclusion This is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in college students in Anhui province, China.

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Potential linkage between Toxoplasma gondii Infection and physical education scores of College Students

10.1101/2020.10.20.346817 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zhijin Sheng ◽

Yu Jin ◽

Yinan Du ◽

Xinlei Yan ◽

Yong Yao

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Physical Education ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Anhui Province ◽

Behavioral Changes ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

School Students ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

ABSTRACTObjectiveToxoplasma gondii is a worldwide protozoan parasite that could infect virtually all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in college students at Anhui province, China. Moreover, growing studies demonstrated the association between T. gondii infection and host behavioral changes. We also studied the linkage between T. gondii and scores of college students.Methods2704 serum samples of medical school students attending physical education lessons were collected from September 2017 to September 2019 and evaluated for T. gondii IgG antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We also analysed PE scores of T. gondii infected students and T. gondii uninfected students.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence of T. gondii was 11.5%. The main risk factors related to T. gondii infections were cat in the household and gardening or agriculture activity. Furthermore, in basketball group and football group, scores of T. gondii seropositive students were significantly higher than that of seronegative students, while in other sports there is no difference between scores of T. gondii infected students and T. gondii uninfected students.ConclusionThis is the first report of T. gondii seroprevalence in college students in Anhui province, China.

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Increased Risk of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Colorectal Cancer in Eastern China: Seroprevalence, Risk Factors, and a Case–Control Study

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2020/2539482 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Yang Yu ◽

Dong Guo ◽

Tingting Qu ◽

Shuchao Zhao ◽

Chang Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Eastern China ◽

Stepwise Logistic Regression ◽

Rural Residence ◽

Igm Antibodies ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

The aim of this study was to explore the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) in eastern China. Therefore, 287 primary CRC patients and 287 age-matched healthy control subjects were recruited to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and identify the risk factors of infection. Enzyme-linked immunoassays were used to test for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies. Forty-six (16%) samples were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies in patients with CRC, compared with 26 (9.1%) in the healthy controls, a significant difference ( P = 0.007 ). By contrast, eight (2.8%) patients tested positive for T. gondii IgM antibodies, compared with three (1.1%) in the controls, a difference that was not significant ( P = 0.13 ). Multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that a rural residence (OR 2.83; 95% CI 1.15–7.01; P = 0.024 ) and treatment with chemotherapy (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.02–4.57; P = 0.045 ) were risk factors for T. gondii infection in patients with CRC. Thus, T. gondii infection is serious in patients with CRC, and a rural residence and treatment with chemotherapy are independent risk factors for infection by this parasite. Therefore, medical professionals should be aware of this pathogen in patients with CRC, and the causes of T. gondii infection in these patients need to be explored further.

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Serological Survey and Associated Risk Factors on Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Goats in Mila District, Algeria

Folia Veterinaria ◽

10.2478/fv-2020-0007 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 64 (1) ◽

pp. 48-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Dahmane ◽

S. Boussena ◽

F. Hafsi ◽

F. Ghalmi

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Protozoan Parasite ◽

Latex Agglutination ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Seroprevalence Rate ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Serological Tests ◽

North Eastern ◽

Eastern Algeria

AbstractToxoplasma 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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Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in yaks (Bos grunniens) on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau of China

Parasite ◽

10.1051/parasite/2021043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

pp. 43

Author(s):

Tao Sun ◽

Sajid Ur Rahman ◽

Jinzhong Cai ◽

Jiangyong Zeng ◽

Rongsheng Mi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Bos Grunniens ◽

Tibet Autonomous Region ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

The Tibet Autonomous Region

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that is extensively prevalent globally. Studies have indicated the presence of T. gondii infection in animals in some provinces of China, but little is known about T. gondii infection in yaks (Bos grunniens) on the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. In the current study, to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of T. gondii, a total of 2784 serum samples were collected from 18 different sampling sites in eight counties of the Qinghai and Tibet regions of China from 2018 to 2019. Serum antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 261 yaks (9.38%) via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that seroprevalence differed significantly among different counties (ranging from 5.41% in Gangcha to 19.79% in Datong), by year in the Tibet Autonomous Region (from 2.34% in 2018 to 13.24% in 2019), and by age (from 5.59% in 0 < year ≤ 1 to 11.76% in year > 7) (p < 0.05). Climate, geographical conditions, and age are the main factors influencing T. gondii infection in yaks in these regions. Therefore, our study provides a data reference for public health and prevention of yak toxoplasmosis.

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in domestic pigs raised from Cuba

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-021-07245-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julio César Castillo-Cuenca ◽

Álvaro Martínez-Moreno ◽

José Manuel Diaz-Cao ◽

Angel Entrena-García ◽

Jorge Fraga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Meat Products ◽

Control Measures ◽

Health Concern ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Weaning Pigs ◽

Associated Risk Factors

AbstractA cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in pigs in the largest pork-producing region in Cuba. Serum samples from 420 pigs, including 210 sows and 210 post-weaning pigs, were tested for antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 56 animals (13.3%, 95% CI: 10.1–16.6). A generalized estimating equations model revealed that the risk factors associated with higher seropositivity in pigs were altitude (higher in farm’s location < 250 m above sea level (masl) versus ≥ 250 masl) and age (higher in sows compared to post-weaning pigs). The results indicated that this protozoan parasite is widely distributed on pig farms in the study area, which is a public health concern since the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat products containing tissue cysts is considered one of the main routes of T. gondii transmission worldwide. Control measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to T. gondii in pigs in Cuba.

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Encephalitozoon cuniculi among domestic rabbits in central China

Parasite ◽

10.1051/parasite/2018010 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 9 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Shuai Wang ◽

Zhijun Yao ◽

Lingjuan Li ◽

Yaoqian Pan ◽

Pengju Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Central China ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Meat Production ◽

Health Issues ◽

Encephalitozoon Cuniculi ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Modified Agglutination Test ◽

Domestic Rabbits

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are frequently reared for meat production in China. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and risk factors of infection in domestic rabbits raised in Henan province, central China. 1,213 serum samples of domestic rabbits were collected and tested for anti-T. gondii and anti-E. cuniculi antibodies using a modified agglutination test (MAT) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The serum positive rates of T. gondii and E. cuniculi were 128/1,213 (10.55%) and 235/1,213 (19.37%), respectively. Co-infection of T. gondii and E. cuniculi was demonstrated in 84 specimens; 44 rabbits were seropositive for T. gondii alone, while 151 rabbits were seropositive for E. cuniculi alone. The main risk factors simultaneously associated with T. gondii and E. cuniculi infection were the age of the rabbit, the type of food, and the rabbit rearing system. Serum positive rates of T. gondii and E. cuniculi among domestic rabbits were high, indicating the possibility of public health issues.

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Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and related risk factors in mammals at Sorocaba zoo, São Paulo, BrazilToxoplasma gondii antibodies and related risk factors in mammals at Sorocaba zoo, São Paulo, Brazil

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n4supl1p2845 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (4Supl1) ◽

pp. 2845

Author(s):

Renata Bezerra Marujo ◽

Helio Langoni ◽

Leila Sabrina Ullmann ◽

Maysa Pellizzaro ◽

Ramiro Das Neves Dias Neto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Feeding Habits ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

São Paulo ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Related Risk

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonosis with worldwide distribution and different wild species either are involved in maintenance of the pathogen in the environment as definitive or intermediate hosts serving as font of feeding or prey to definitive hosts. The present study aimed to investigate Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and the risk factors relating to infection in mammals at Sorocaba Zoo, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Serum samples collected from 153 animals were analyzed using the modified agglutination test (MAT; cutoff ? 25). Seropositivity was found in 62 animals (40.5%; 95% CI: 33.1-48.5%), with different titers. Significant differences were observed in relation to the ages of the animals, origin, presence of free-ranging animals in the enclosure and feeding habits, through univariate analysis (p ? 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only age (p = 0.03) had significance for the study. Adult animals were 3.5 more likely to become infected than were young ones. In relation to feeding habits, herbivores (80%) and carnivores (46.5%) were the animals most affected. These results highlight the presence of T. gondii in animals at Brazilian zoos, and suggest that continuous transmission is occurring at zoos.

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Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Dustmen in Northeastern China: A Case-Control Seroprevalence Study

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/3207675 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ruo-Lan Jiang ◽

Quan Zhao ◽

Jing Jiang ◽

Xue-Long Chen ◽

Xiao-Xuan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

First Record ◽

Case Control ◽

Northeastern China ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Igm Antibodies ◽

Control Subjects ◽

The Government ◽

At Home

Background. Toxoplasmosis is caused by an intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect many hosts including humans. Methods. In order to estimate whether dustmen are more susceptible to T. gondii, a case-control study was conducted containing 332 dustmen from Jilin and Heilongjiang in Northeastern China, as well as 332 general populations from the same regions as control subjects. Serum samples were tested IgG and IgM antibodies to T. gondii using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. The overall anti-T. gondii IgG was 15.06% (50/332) in dustmen compared with 9.64% (32/332) in the controls (P = 0.0337). Also, 5 (1.51%) dustmen had anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies compared with 2 (0.60%) control individuals (P = 0.2543). A significant association was only found between dustmen and level of T. gondii IgG in comparison with the control subjects. Seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG antibodies in male dustmen was significant higher than male control subjects (P = 0.0399). Dustmen from Jilin had the significant higher T. gondii IgG rate (P = 0.0143), in comparison with the control subjects from Jilin. Moreover, dustmen raising cat at home had the significant higher T. gondii IgG rate (P = 0.0097), in comparison with the control subjects. Risk factor analysis suggested that raising cat at home and not having habits of washing hand before eating were mainly related to the T. gondii infection in dustmen. Conclusions. This is the first record of seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in dustmen in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in Northeastern China. These findings also suggest that the government departments should pay close attention to the toxoplasmosis in dustmen in Northeastern China.

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Seroprevalence and correlates of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dairy cattle in northwest China

Acta Parasitologica ◽

10.1515/ap-2015-0087 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 60 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Qi-Dong Tan ◽

Xiao-Yu Yang ◽

Ming-Yang Yin ◽

Ling-Ying Hu ◽

Si-Yuan Qin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Northwest China ◽

Gansu Province ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Modified Agglutination Test ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

AbstractPrevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and risk factors with infection were assessed in dairy cattle from Gansu Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NXHAR), northwest China. In total, 1657 serum samples were collected and assayed by the modified agglutination test. The overall seroprevalence was 4.83% at a 1:100 cut-off, with titers of 1:100 in 72, 1:200 in 4, 1:400 in 4. Among the risk factors examined, no statistically significant difference was observed between T. gondii seroprevalence and regions or age of dairy cattle in the logistic regression analysis (P>0.05) and left out of the final model. However, numbers of pregnancies of dairy cattle was considered as main risk factor associated with T. gondii infection. Dairy cattle in nulliparity group (8.89%) had 6 times (OR=6.31, 95% CI, 2.69-14.83, P<0.001) higher risk of being seropositive compared to dairy cattle in 3 or above 3 pregnancies group (1.52%), followed by 1 pregnancy group (4.27%) had nearly 3 times (OR=2.89, 95% CI, 1.11-7.52, P = 0.03) higher risk of being seropositive compared to dairy cattle in 3 or above 3 pregnancies group, although no statistical difference was found between 2 pregnancies group and 3 or above 3 pregnancies group (P = 0.70). The results of this survey indicated the presence of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in Gansu Province and NXHAR, which enriches the epidemiological data of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in China, and is helpful to strengthen prevention and control of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in these two regions.

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