Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Swine: Implications for Public Health

AbstractFelidae as definitive hosts for Toxoplasma gondii play a major role in transmission to all warm-blooded animals trough oocysts dissemination. Therefore the current comprehensive study was performed to determine the global status of T. gondii infection in domestic and wild felids aiming to provide comprehensive data of interest for further intervention approaching the One Health perspective. Different databases were searched by utilizing particular key words for publications related to T. gondii infecting domestic and wild feline host species, worldwide, from 1970 to 2020. The review of 337 reports showed that the seroprevalence of T. gondii in domestic cats and wild felids was estimated in 37.5% (95% CI 34.7–40.3) (I2 = 98.3%, P < 0.001) and 64% (95% CI 60–67.9) (I2 = 88%, P < 0.0001), respectively. The global pooled prevalence of oocysts in the fecal examined specimens from domestic cats was estimated in 2.6% (95% CI 1.9–3.3) (I2 = 96.1%, P < 0.0001), and that in fecal samples from wild felids was estimated in 2.4% (95% CI 1.1–4.2) (I2 = 86.4%, P < 0.0001). In addition, from 13,252 examined soil samples in 14 reviewed studies, the pooled occurrence of T. gondii oocysts was determined in 16.2% (95% CI 7.66–27.03%). The observed high rates of anti-T. gondii antibodies seroprevalence levels and oocyst excretion frequency in the felids, along with soil (environmental) contamination with oocysts may constitute a potential threat to animal and public health, and data will result of interest in further prophylaxis programs.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of serological and molecular tests used to identify Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women attended in a public health service in São Paulo state, Brazil

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease ◽

10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.004 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 89 (1) ◽

pp. 13-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Fernando Henrique Antunes Murata ◽

Marina Neves Ferreira ◽

Vera Lucia Pereira-Chioccola ◽

Lígia Cosentino Junqueira Franco Spegiorin ◽

Cristina da Silva Meira-Strejevitch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Health Service ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Public Health Service ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

Paulo State ◽

Molecular Tests ◽

São Paulo State ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Download Full-text

Evaluation of Serological and Molecular Tests Used for the Identification of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients Treated in an Ophthalmology Clinic of a Public Health Service in São Paulo State, Brazil

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fcimb.2019.00472 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Fernando Henrique Antunes Murata ◽

Mariana Previato ◽

Fábio Batista Frederico ◽

Amanda Pires Barbosa ◽

Fabiana Nakashima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Health Service ◽

Public Health Service ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

São Paulo ◽

Paulo State ◽

Molecular Tests ◽

São Paulo State ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Download Full-text

Questionnaire Survey on the Occurrence of Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection amongst Farmers in Thika District, Kenya

Journal of the South African Veterinary Association ◽

10.4102/jsava.v84i1.191 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 84 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Edwin Ogendi ◽

Naomi Maina ◽

John Kagira ◽

Maina Ngotho ◽

Gabriel Mbugua ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Questionnaire Survey ◽

Public Health Education ◽

Transmission Mechanism ◽

Household Level ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽

Cooked Meat ◽

Structured Questionnaire

A survey was conducted to determine the occurrence of risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection amongst farmers in Thika District, Kenya. Interviews were conducted in a total of 385 households using a structured questionnaire. The water consumed at household level originated from taps (74.3%), rivers or streams (15.1%), wells (5.4%) and boreholes (5.2%). A number of households (46.8%) consumed water without boiling or applying any form of treatment. All respondents washed vegetables before cooking, whilst 99.0% washed fruits before eating. Boiled milk was preferred by 99.5% of the farmers. The majority (85.2%) consumed beef more often, whilst 1.6% consumed pork. The majority (98.7%) consumed thoroughly cooked meat. Meat was preserved by 17% of farmers. Only four farmers (1.2%) who practised mixed farming used gloves when handling livestock manure. Five farmers (1.6%) reported the occurrence of abortion in ruminants and pigs on their farms within the last two years before the study. Almost half (44.9%) of the households owned cats, which were kept mainly as pets (79.8%) and for deterring rodents (20.2%). The majority of households (91.3%) fed the cats on leftovers, whilst 8.1% fed cats with raw offal. Sixteen households (9.2%) provided housing for cats. Only five households (2.8%) had litter boxes, but none of the households with litter boxes used gloves when cleaning them out. Disposal of cat faeces was done mainly by women (55.5%). Only one farmer (0.3%) had some knowledge about toxoplasmosis, but was not aware of the transmission mechanism. The study highlights the need for public health education to raise awareness of risk factors for toxoplasmosis.

Download Full-text

Epidemiological and Public Health Significance of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Wild Rabbits and Hares: 2010–2020

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9030597 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 597

Author(s):

Sonia Almeria ◽

Fernando H. A. Murata ◽

Camila K. Cerqueira-Cézar ◽

Oliver C. H. Kwok ◽

Alicia Shipley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Genetic Variants ◽

Health Workers ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Small Game ◽

Health Significance ◽

Domestic Rabbits ◽

Rabbit Meat ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis of global distribution, and Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. Hares and rabbits are important small game species, and their meat is consumed by humans in many countries. Demand for rabbit meat for human consumption is increasing; therefore, toxoplasmosis in rabbits and hares is of epidemiological significance. Viable T. gondii has been isolated from rabbits. The present review summarizes worldwide information on the seroprevalence, parasitological investigations, clinical cases, isolation, and genetic diversity of T. gondii in wild rabbits, free domestic rabbits, hares, and other rabbits from 2010 to 2020. Differences in prevalence, susceptibility, genetic variants, and clinical implications of T. gondii infection in rabbits and hares are discussed. This review will be of interest to biologists, parasitologists, veterinarians, and public health workers. Additional studies are needed to increase our knowledge of genetic variants and the population structure of T. gondii in rabbits and hares and to understand the differences in susceptibility to T. gondii in hares in different areas.

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence and some demographic factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection among female population in Duhok province, Iraq

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20200755 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 921

Author(s):

Janan Mohammed Salih ◽

Wijdan Mohammed Salih Mero ◽

Souzan Hussein Eassa

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Seroprevalence Rate ◽

Female Population ◽

Congenital Diseases ◽

Central Public Health ◽

Infected Meat ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Background: The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii which is an intracellular protozoan. It has an important role in abortion and congenital diseases in pregnant women, which lead to infant's defectiveness birth when pregnant, are exposed during pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis is one of the most prevalent and most successful parasitic infectious disease worldwide, due to its efficient transmission through the ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked and infected meat, or the ingestion of oocysts in contaminated vegetables and water. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence rate of anti-Toxoplasma gondii Abs and their relation to some demographic factors among females, in Duhok province/ Kurdistan Region/ Iraq.Methods: During the period from October 2016 to November 2017, a total of 792 random blood samples were collected from the female population of different ages (16-55) years and various socioeconomic classes, who attended Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Azadi teaching hospital and Central Public Health Laboratory/ Duhok.Results: Out of 792 samples examined, 288 (36.3%) were seropositive from which 282 (35.61%) were found seropositive for IgG, while only six samples (0.76%) were seropositive for IgM. Regarding to occupation, the highest rate for chronic toxoplasmosis was reported in housewives followed by employed and students at rates of 40.19%, 22.3%, and 14.0%, respectively. These outcomes were statistically significant (p<0.05). The age group 36-45 years showed the highest seropositive rate for both IgG and IgM Abs which were 41.02% and 1.28%, respectively, which was statistically non-significant. The higher rate of seropositivity was observed among married females 39.93%, and pregnant 41.9% versus non-pregnant 33.3%. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) among married while non-significant in pregnant. Concerning to blood groups, the highest rate of seropositivity was reported among females with blood group AB+ which was 60% followed by group O- which was 46.7 %. This difference was statistically non-significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: This study showed the importance of demographic factors to the epidemiology of T. gondii in females, which support the role of public health in the control of infectious diseases.

Download Full-text

Toxoplasma gondii in cattle in Brazil: a review

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612019106 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Daniella Ferreira Cordeiro Gomes ◽

Felipe da Silva Krawczak ◽

Cairo Henrique Sousa de Oliveira ◽

Álvaro Ferreira Júnior ◽

Éverton Kort Kamp Fernandes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Population Structure ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Antibody Test ◽

Frequency Of Occurrence ◽

Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test ◽

Meat Intake ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽

Indirect Fluorescence Antibody

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan protozoan that is frequently found in both humans and animals worldwide. The aim of this review was to list important aspects of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle in Brazil. The frequency of occurrence of T. gondii antibodies in Brazilian cattle ranges from 1 to 89.1%, depending on the region evaluated, based on data from 1978 to 2018. However, some characteristics of T. gondii infection in cattle remain uncertain, such as the role of meat intake in transmitting the parasite to humans. Most information regarding T. gondii infection among Brazilian cattle is limited to evaluations of the frequency of occurrence of antibodies. About 70% of the diagnoses of infection in these ruminants in Brazil are made via the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Nevertheless, little is known about the population structure of this protozoan in cattle. It is necessary to expand the studies on toxoplasmosis in cattle, in order to better understand T. gondii infection in these animals and its implications for Brazilian public health.

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Sheep and Goats from Romania

Parasitologia ◽

10.3390/parasitologia1020005 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 36-44

Author(s):

Ionela Hotea ◽

Viorel Herman ◽

Emil Tîrziu ◽

Olimpia Colibar ◽

Ileana Brudiu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Mixed Breed ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Toxoplasma gondii infections in sheep and goats are important economically and for public health for many countries, including Romania. In this study, seroprevalence and associated risk factors for T. gondii infection were determined in 2500 sheep and 500 goats from three counties in the Banat region of Romania. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 1266 of 2500 (50.64%) sheep and in 375 (75%) of 500 goats, by using a commercial (IDEXX) ELISA. To evaluate the epidemiological status of the infection, some risk factors for ovine and caprine T. gondii infections were assessed. The main risk factors associated with T. gondii infections were breed, age, and the presence of cats in the farm. Seroprevalence was higher in animals older than three years and in purebred versus mixed breed animals. This is the first detailed study of risk factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence in sheep and goats in Romania.

Download Full-text