scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii infection in two captive Patagonian maras

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 875-878
Author(s):  
Liv Østevik ◽  
Kristoffer R. Tysnes ◽  
Siv Klevar ◽  
John J. Debenham

Toxoplasma gondii infection was diagnosed in 2 captive Patagonian maras ( Dolichotis patagonum). One animal developed fatal systemic toxoplasmosis and had concurrent localized bacterial and fungal infections; its daughter remained clinically healthy. Microscopic findings included acute, coagulative necrosis, lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrates, and extra- and intracellular parasites in the liver, myocardium, urinary bladder, and adrenal glands of the diseased animal. PCR and subsequent genotyping of parasites from fresh tissue from both cases revealed infection with T. gondii genotype II. Direct agglutination testing of blood from the healthy individual revealed high levels of T. gondii IgG antibodies. T. gondii is a potential cause of disease and lethality in captive and wild Patagonian maras, and toxoplasmosis should be considered when managing and providing veterinary care for this species.

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (09) ◽  
pp. 831-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dima El Safadi ◽  
Dany Abi Chahine ◽  
Alissar Al Tarraf ◽  
Omar Raii ◽  
Karim Mesto ◽  
...  

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is of dual importance in both public and veterinary health due to the respective risk of transplacental transmission in primo-infected pregnant women and economic losses caused by abortions in mammals. One of the main routes of Toxoplasma gondii transmission to humans is the consumption of raw or undercooked meats containing parasitic cysts. Here, we performed the first epidemiological study to determine the seroprevalence and the risk factors of toxoplasmosis in livestock in Lebanon. Methodology: Using a modified agglutination test with a cut-off of 1:40, we tested the positivity rate of Immunoglobulin G antibodies in the sera of 100 sheep and 80 goats collected from 18 different livestock farms located in North Lebanon between March and June 2018. Results: Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 42% of sheep and 34% of goats. Adults (> 1 year) were significantly more infected by T. gondii than the lambs (< 1 year) in both species (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings indicated that food animals are highly exposed to T. gondii in Lebanon and could be potentially a major risk factor of T. gondii infection to humans. Consequently, national prophylactic strategies should be implemented to control and to prevent T. gondii transmission between animals and humans.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245701
Author(s):  
Sergio Estrada-Martinez ◽  
Alma Rosa Pérez-Álamos ◽  
Melina Ibarra-Segovia ◽  
Isabel Beristaín-Garcia ◽  
Agar Ramos-Nevárez ◽  
...  

The seroepidemiology of infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in alcohol consumers is largely undeveloped. In light of this, we sought to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in alcohol consumers in Durango, Mexico, and the association of T. gondii seroprevalence with characteristics of the population studied. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were searched in sera of participants using commercially available enzyme immunoassays. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were then used to determine the association between T. gondii infection and the characteristics of the population studied. Of the 1544 people studied (mean age: 39.4±14.0 years), 173 (11.2%) tested positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. We were able to test 167 of the 173 anti-T. gondii IgG positive sera for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Fifty-five (32.9%) of these 167 serum samples were positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies. Bivariate analysis showed that visual impairment, history of surgery, and hepatitis were negatively associated with T. gondii IgG seropositivity (P<0.05). In women, seropositivity to T. gondii was positively associated with a history of pregnancy (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that T. gondii seropositivity was associated with the variables consumption of armadillo meat (OR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.04–5.22; P = 0.03), and the use of latrines for elimination of excretes (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.07–4.80; P = 0.03); and high (>150 IU/ml) anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were associated with consumption of both armadillo meat (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.01–5.02; P = 0.04) and crowding at home (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.02–2.61; P = 0.03). We found a distinct T. gondii seroprevalence in people with alcohol consumption from those previously found in population groups in the region. This is the first study that illustrates the association between high anti-T. gondii antibodies and crowding in Mexico, and the second study on the association between T. gondii infection and consumption of armadillo meat and the use of latrines in this country. We conclude that epidemiology of T. gondii infection in people with alcohol consumption deserves further investigation.


2014 ◽  
pp. 63-67
Author(s):  
Thi Hong Duc Nguyen ◽  
Nu Van Anh Ton

Objective: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects many people of all ages. Some recent studies showed that cerebral toxoplasmosis is one of the causes’ acquired epilepsy in developing countries. In this study, we investigated the frequency of Toxoplasma gondii infection in epileptic children and some clinical characteristics difference with between seropositive and seronegative of T.gondii. Material and methods: We selected 62 pediatric patients with epilepsies that were treatment at Pediatric center (Hue Center Hospital) and tested them for evidence of T. gondii IgM, IgG antibodies by the enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay (ELISA). We studied some clinical characteristics differences between T.gondii seropositive and seronegative groups. Results: The seropositive proportion of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in epileptic children was 25.8% (25% IgM(+)IgG(-), 56,25% IgG(+)IgM(-) and 18.75% IgM(+)IgG(+)) and the over 10 age group accounted for the highest percentage of T.gondii positive (43.8%). The seropositive group had a significant different than seronegative group about ages, frequency of seizures and period of disease. There had no significant different between two groups about sex, residency and the type of seizures. Conclusion: Toxoplasma gondii had a high proportion in epileptic children. Key words: Epilepsy, Toxoplasma gondii


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 3757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soraia Figueiredo de Souza ◽  
Luciana Dos Santos Medeiros ◽  
Adriane De Souza Belfort ◽  
Andrey Luiz Lopes Cordeiro ◽  
Michelle Federle ◽  
...  

Blood samples were collected from 89 cats to assess the prevalence of IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and the possible risk factors associated with feline Toxoplasma gondii infection. An epidemiological questionnaire was developed and implemented for owners of domestic cats domiciled in Rio Branco, Acre. The results were statistically evaluated with the odds ratio and chi-square tests, considering the significance level of 5%. Of 89 animals’ samples, 22 had antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. Among the 22 reactive animals, 15 (68.19%) were female, 15 (68.19%) were less than one year old and 20 (90%) were cross breed. Concerning risk factors, there was no difference (p > 0.05) between the variables evaluated by the chi-square test. Moreover, 16 (72%) cats were fed a mixed diet, 20 (90%) of the cats had hunting habits, 18 (81%) had contact with animals of another species, 11 (50%) had access to the street, and 22 (95%) lived in homes that had areas of grass or dirt. In conclusion, the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cats was 22.7%, and there were no significant risk factors for feline toxoplasmosis in the municipality of Rio Branco, Acre.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 734
Author(s):  
Cosme Alvarado-Esquivel ◽  
Sergio Estrada-Martínez ◽  
Alma Rosa Pérez-Álamos ◽  
Isabel Beristain-García ◽  
Ángel Osvaldo Alvarado-Félix ◽  
...  

We determined the association between T. gondii infection and suicidal behavior in people with alcohol consumption. One-thousand four-hundred and twenty-three people with alcohol consumption were screened for suicidal behavior and tested for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 34 of 224 (15.2%) individuals with suicidal ideation and in 118 (9.8%) of 1199 individuals without suicidal ideation (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.08–2.47; p = 0.01). Seropositivity to T. gondii was associated with suicidal ideation in women (OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.33–3.78; p = 0.001) and in individuals aged ≤30 years (OR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.22–5.87; p = 0.01) and >50 years (OR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.19–6.77; p = 0.01). Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were found in 17 of 136 (12.5%) individuals with suicide attempts and in 135 (10.5%) of 1287 individuals without suicide attempts (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.71–2.08; p = 0.47). Seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was associated with suicide attempts in women (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 0.99–3.55; p = 0.04). No association between anti-T. gondii IgM and suicidal ideation or suicide attempts was found. Results suggest that T. gondii infection is associated with suicidal behavior in people with alcohol consumption.


2003 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 229-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel A.L. Coêlho ◽  
Masashi Kobayashi ◽  
Luiz B. Carvalho Jr.

A serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in blood donors was carried out in order to identify seroprevalence in Recife, Brazil. Sera from 160 individuals (119 male and 41 female) were evaluated by using a Toxoplasma IgG-antibody enzyme immunoassay (Denka Seiken Co., LTD., Tokyo, Japan). The seropositive percentual for males (79.0%) showed to be higher (p < 0.05) than for females (63.4%). This percentage increases with age, ranging from 18.2% to 92.6% for individuals aging under 20 and 40-50 years old, respectively. For women of childbearing age (18-40 years) it was found a prevalence of 51.6%.


2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (12) ◽  
pp. 771-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Ahmadpour ◽  
Reza Pishkarie-Asl ◽  
Adel Spotin ◽  
Hossein Samadi Kafil ◽  
Hasan Didarlu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common comorbidities in HIV-positive patients with CD4+ T lymphocytes below 200 cells/μl. Early diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis reduces the mortality rate in HIV-positive people. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in HIV-positive patients in northwest Iran using serological and molecular methods. Methods This prospective cross-sectional study included 124 HIV-positive outpatients and was conducted from January to May 2016. Anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies were detected from sera samples by chemiluminescence, while buffy coat samples were analyzed by RT-PCR for DNA detection. Patients’ socioepidemiological data were collected. Results Using chemiluminescence, 47/124 samples (37.9%) were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies, 2/124 samples (1.62%) were positive for IgM antibodies while 2/124 samples (1.62%) contained both IgM and IgG. There were no IgM-positive or IgG-negative patients. RT-PCR revealed four (3.22%) positive samples. On the basis of the results, a statistically significant relationship was found between anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody seropositivity and residence (p=0.012). Conclusions The study showed a relatively low seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies in HIV-positive patients in northwest Iran, while the prevalence was much higher in other regions of Iran. However, regular screening for T. gondii antibodies and early initiation of therapy are very important to decrease the mortality rate in HIV-positive patients.


2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 787-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubia dos Santos Bonapaz ◽  
Catchia Hermes-Uliana ◽  
Franciele do Nascimento Santos ◽  
Aristeu Vieira da Silva ◽  
Eduardo José de Almeida Araújo ◽  
...  

This paper aims to analyze the effects of the Toxoplasma gondii infection in the intestinal wall and myenteric plexus of chicken (Gallus gallus). Ten 36-day-old chickens were separated into two groups: control and experimental, orally inoculated with oocysts of the T. gondii strain M7741 genotype III. After 60 days the birds were submitted to euthanasia and had their duodenum removed. Part of the intestinal segments was submitted to histological routine, HE staining, PAS histochemical technique, and Alcian Blue. Qualitative analysis of the intestinal wall and comparative measurements among the groups with respect to total wall thickness, muscle tunic, mucosa, and tunica mucosa were carried out. Caliciform cells were quantified. The other part of the intestinal segments was fixed in formol acetic acid and dissected having the tunica mucosa and the tela submucosa removed. Neurons were stained with Giemsa, counted, and measured. Chickens from the experimental group presented diarrhea and inflammatory infiltrates in the tunica mucosa, thickness reduction of all the parameters assessed in the intestinal wall, and an increase of the number of caliciform cells. There was a ~70% reduction regarding the intensity of myenteric neurons; and the remaining cells presented a reduction of ~2.4% of the perikarion and ~40.5% of the nucleus (p<0.05). Chronic infection induced by T. gondii oocysts resulted in intestinal wall atrophy, mucin secretion increase, death and atrophy of chicken myenteric plexus neurons. Death and atrophy of myenteric plexus neurons may be related with the causes of diarrhea observed in chickens with toxoplasmosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-256
Author(s):  
A. B. N. Tonouhewa ◽  
Y. Akpo ◽  
P. Sessou ◽  
C. Salanon ◽  
G. L. Aplogan ◽  
...  

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous apicomplexan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, a cosmopolitan zoonosis responsible for abortion and congenital malformation in animals and humans. Pigs can be a reservoir for T. gondii and act as one of the sources for parasite transmission to humans. Currently, there are no data about T. gondii infection in any animal in Benin. After the report of several cases of abortions and reproductive problems in pigs in several livestock farms in the southern region of Benin, this study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of this zoonotic parasite in pigs. A total of 184 pig serum samples have been collected in two municipalities and sent to the laboratory for the detection of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies by ELISA indirect method. The results showed the presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG in 23% (IC95 = 22.56–23.44) of pigs (42/184). Age, sex, and race did not seem to affect the frequency of this infection. Moreover, reproductive failure has been reported on many farms. These were cases of stillbirths in 40% of farms followed by neonatal mortality (36%) and abortion cases which were frequently observed in 27% of farms. T. gondii is present in pigs from south Benin and could be responsible for reported abortions in the areas. In addition, the raw and undercook meat of pigs could be important source of Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans from south Benin


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