scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii infection in pet cats and their owners in northeastern China:an important public health concern

2022 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin-Tong Li ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
Yuan Ding ◽  
Wu-Wen Sun

Abstract Background Limited information about Toxoplasma gondii infection in pet cats and their owners is available in China. Methods In this study, blood samples were randomly collected from 306 pet cats and 397 corresponding pet owners in Jilin province, northeastern China. Sera from the pet cats and the pet owners were tested for anti-T. gondii antibodies using an modified agglutination test (MAT) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Moreover, the risk factors for T. gondii infection in pet cats and corresponding pet owners were explored. Result In total, 62 sera out of 306 examined pet cats (20.3%) and 18.1% (72/397) pet cat owners were seropositive for T. gondii, respectively. The results of statistical analysis showed that both pet cats and their owners from rural area had significantly higher T. gondii seroprevalence than those from urban area (p < 0.001). Moreover, owners of pet cas who have the knowledge of zoonotic protozoan diseases had a significantly lower T. gondii seroprevalence than those without the knowledge of zoonotic protozoan diseases (p < 0.001). Conclusions The present results revealed that the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection are widespread in pet cats and their owners in Jilin province, northeastern China. Residence area and understanding knowledge of zoonotic protozoan diseases are considered to be raleted to the T. gondii infection. Hence, it is necessary to highlight the dangers and protection methods of zoonotic protozoan diseases caused by pet cats, especially in rural area.

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 399-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Ge ◽  
Hongchao Sun ◽  
Zedong Wang ◽  
Peng Xu ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  

Blood serum samples from 100 sheep and 100 goats were collected and examined for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Modified Agglutination Test. The seroprevalences of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep were 34% and 33% and in goats were 32%, 31% by ELISA and MAT respectively. The prevalence in the females of sheep and goats were higher than males. The seroprevalences were higher in adult animals than young in both sheep and goats. Using the MAT as a reference test, the sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA Test were 100% and 98.5% respectively


Author(s):  
Julio César Castillo-Cuenca ◽  
Álvaro Martínez-Moreno ◽  
José Manuel Diaz-Cao ◽  
Angel Entrena-García ◽  
Jorge Fraga ◽  
...  

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.


Acta Tropica ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 140 ◽  
pp. 184-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Si-Yuan Qin ◽  
Xiao-Xuan Zhang ◽  
Wei Cong ◽  
Dong-Hui Zhou ◽  
Jin-Lei Wang ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhijin Sheng ◽  
Yu Jin ◽  
Yinan Du ◽  
Xinlei Yan ◽  
Yong Yao

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.


Parasite ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Wang ◽  
Zhijun Yao ◽  
Lingjuan Li ◽  
Yaoqian Pan ◽  
Pengju Li ◽  
...  

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.


Parasite ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing-Feng Meng ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Gui-Zhe Yao ◽  
Yang Zou ◽  
Wei Cong ◽  
...  

Donkeys (Equus asinus) are widely distributed throughout China; they are used for their meat, as food, and certain donkey-derived items are also important for traditional Chinese medicinal purposes. However, only limited information is available on Toxoplasma gondii infection in donkeys in China, especially the eastern region, which is one of the largest production areas. Thus, the present study was conducted to detect specific anti-T. gondii antibodies using a commercially available indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) kit and to evaluate the risk factors that are associated with seroprevalence in the Shandong province of eastern China. A total of 213/1278 (17%) donkeys tested from Shandong province were positive for T. gondii antibodies. Statistical analysis revealed that gender and feeding habits of the animal are associated with T. gondii infection. These results provide information for the prevention and control of toxoplasmosis in donkeys, other animals, and humans in this region and elsewhere.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruo-Lan Jiang ◽  
Quan Zhao ◽  
Jing Jiang ◽  
Xue-Long Chen ◽  
Xiao-Xuan Zhang ◽  
...  

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.


2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Mancianti ◽  
Simona Nardoni ◽  
Gaetano Ariti ◽  
Dario Parlanti ◽  
Giovanna Giuliani ◽  
...  

Cats are the key species in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection, even if the proportion of subjects excreting oocysts is low. The aim of the present paper was to obtain information about seroprevalence, oocyst shedding rate and presence of T gondii DNA in faeces collected from an urban population of colony cats in Florence (Tuscany). Fifty European shorthair feral cats were examined for anti- T gondii specific antibodies by a modified agglutination test (MAT), and for oocysts by microscopic examination and for faecal protozoal DNA, by means of a nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR) protocol. Twenty-two out of 50 serum samples (44%) were MAT positive. T gondii oocysts were not detected in any of the examined faecal samples. Eight out of 50 faecal specimens (16%) were n-PCR positive and sequencing of the bands was specific for T gondii. Detection by combination of the two methods was higher than single techniques and enhanced the detection of T gondii up to 48%. Our results suggest that the use of MAT plus PCR in faeces may be the best choice for diagnosis of feline toxoplasmosis. Further studies to ascertain the real infectivity of the copro-PCR positive subjects are required.


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