scholarly journals Prevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected backyard pigs intended for familial consumption in Romania

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamaria Ioana Paştiu ◽  
Anamaria Cozma-Petruț ◽  
Aurélien Mercier ◽  
Anamaria Balea ◽  
Lokman Galal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Pcr Targeting ◽  
Backyard Pigs

Abstract Background Foodborne toxoplasmosis in humans can be due to the exposure to tissue cysts of Toxoplasma gondii through the consumption of meat, including pork, of infected animals. Traditional Romanian food habits include pork as the preferred meat, while backyard pig rearing remains a common practice in many rural areas of Romania. The aims of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in naturally infected backyard pigs slaughtered for familial consumption and to genetically characterize the T. gondii strains obtained. Methods Paired blood and heart samples were collected from 94 backyard pigs, home slaughtered for private consumption. Serum samples were analyzed using the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) for anti-T. gondii antibody detection. Heart samples were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 529-bp repeat region (REP529) for T. gondii detection. In addition, heart samples from IFAT positive animals were bioassayed in mice. The T. gondii isolates were genotyped by the analysis of 15 microsatellite markers. Results The results showed that almost half of the pigs investigated were T. gondii seropositive (46.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 36.4–57.4%) and in more than a quarter of the pigs (26.6%, 95% CI: 18.0–36.7%), the parasite was detected by PCR. Three (3/44) T. gondii strains were isolated from hearts of seropositive pigs and they all belonged to genotype II. Conclusions The present study showed the presence of T. gondii infection in backyard pigs in Romania, which suggests that consumption of pork from animals reared and slaughtered at home may pose a potential threat to human health and should be given attention. In addition, to our knowledge, this is the first study to provide data concerning T. gondii strains circulating in pigs from Romania.

scholarly journals Factors associated with the distribution of natural Toxoplasma gondii infection among equids in Northeastern Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Dias Munhoz ◽  
Monia Andrade Souza ◽  
Sonia Carmen Lopo Costa ◽  
Jéssica de Souza Freitas ◽  
Aísla Nascimento da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected equids in northeastern Brazil. Serum samples from 569 equids (528 horses, 8 mules and 33 donkeys) were subjected to the indirect fluorescent antibody test. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate associated factors. Among the 569 animals sampled, 118 (30.6%) living in rural areas and 14 (26.42%) in urban areas were seropositive (p>0.05). Seropositive animals were observed on 95% of the farms and in all the municipalities. Donkeys/mules as the host, presence of domestic cats and rats on the farm, ingestion of lagoon water and goat rearing remained in the final model as factors associated with infection. Preventive measures such as avoiding the presence of domestic cats close to rearing areas, pastures and sources of water for the animals should be adopted. The wide-ranging distribution of positive animals also indicated that infection in other domestic animals and in humans, through the contaminated environment, was possible. It should be highlighted that there was the possibility that donkeys and mules would continue to have detectable titers for longer, thus explaining the prevalence found. Further studies are needed to confirm this possibility.

scholarly journals SEROEPIDEMIOLOGY OF TOXOPLASMOSIS IN HUMANS AND DOGS FROM A SMALL MUNICIPALITY IN PARANA, BRAZIL

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline do Nascimento Benitez ◽  
Daniela Dib Gonçalves ◽  
Beatriz de Souza Lima Nino ◽  
Eloiza Teles Caldart ◽  
Roberta Lemos Freire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Urban Slum ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Significance Level

Abstract Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis with important public health implications. The aims of this study were to determine and identify factors associated to the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in humans and dogs from Jataizinho, Parana State, Brazil. Serum samples from 280 humans and 766 dogs, from rural and urban areas, were tested by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. Positive dilutions were ≥ 1:16. Epidemiological informations were obtained through an individual questionnaire and data tabulation was performed using EpiInfo 3.5.3 (CDC, Atlanta). Statistical significance was evaluated by chi-square (ᵪ2) or Fisher's exact tests with a 5.0 % significance level. The seroprevalence in humans was 70.00% (196/280), as follows: 69.08% (143/207) in rural and 72.60% (53/73) in a slum urban community. The seroprevalence in dogs was 52.35% (401/766), as follows: 71.74% (99/138) in rural and 48.08% (302/628) in urban area. In rural areas, there was no factor associated to risk of infection. In urban slum community, visualizing more than four rats at home was a factor statistically associated to seropositivity for human toxoplamosis. Infection of urban dogs was associated to age, contact with stray dogs or rodents, and free access to street. The results indicated a similar possibility of contact with Toxoplasma gondii between dogs and humans living in rural or slum urban areas of small municipalities.

scholarly journals Application of different techniques to detect Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered sheep for human consumption

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 416-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelise Castanha Barreto Tenório Nunes ◽  
Edna Maria Vieira da Silva ◽  
José Aelson de Oliveira ◽  
Elise Myuki Yamasaki ◽  
Pomy de Cássia Peixoto Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Cerebral Tissue ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Kappa Test ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody Test ◽  
Perivascular Cuff ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep slaughtered in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, by means of different diagnosis techniques. Serum samples and tissues from 100 slaughtered sheep were used. To detect antibodies, the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) was used, and tissues from seropositive animals (cut-off ≥1:64) were submitted to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). To assess the concordance between the direct techniques, the kappa test was used. In the IFAT, it was observed that 14% (14/100) of the ovine samples were serum-positive. In the PCR, 21.43% (3/14) of the animals were positive and in IHC, it was observed that 7.14% (1/14) were positively stained for T. gondii in cerebral tissue. Histopathologically, the predominant finding was the presence of mononuclear cell infiltrate in the heart and a perivascular cuff in the cerebrum and cerebellum. The concordance between the direct diagnosis techniques was moderate (k=0.44). Thus, it is important to use different direct techniques in diagnosing toxoplasmosis in naturally infected sheep.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the indirect fluorescent antibody test and modified agglutination test for detection of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in experimentally infected pigs

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Pelegrine Minho ◽  
Roberta Lemos Freire ◽  
Odilon Vidotto ◽  
Solange Maria Gennari ◽  
Elizabete Marangoni Marana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test ◽  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Agglutination Test ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Indirect Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test

The study determined the sensitivity and specificity of the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and modified agglutination test (MAT) for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody detection by analyzing sera from 46 experimentally infected pigs. Values for sensitivity were 95.7% (confidence interval 95%: 84.0-99.2%) and for specificity 97.8% (confidence interval 95%: 87.0-99.9%) in both tests. There was an optimum agreement of results between IFAT and MAT evidenced by a Kappa test of 0.86. These results validate these tests for the detection of T. gondii infection in pigs. IFAT and MAT despite methodologies with different characteristics and readings have similar accuracy in pig serum samples.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in swine matrices in Nova Mutum and Diamantino, Mato Grosso, Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lívia Saab Muraro ◽  
João Garcia Caramori Júnior ◽  
Maria Regina Reis Amendoeira ◽  
Joyce Alves Pereira ◽  
João Xavier de Oliveira Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test ◽  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
The State ◽  
Indirect Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

This report aimed to assess the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in 708 swine matrices in Nova Mutum and Diamantino in the state of Mato Grosso, Central-West Brazil. Serum samples were examined by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). It was found a seroprevalence of 12.8%, considering titers >64. Therefore, the data reinforce the need for appropriate management of swine raising to minimize the risk of infection of pigs with T. gondii.

Cross-sectional survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in colony cats from urban Florence (Italy)

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Mancianti ◽  
Simona Nardoni ◽  
Gaetano Ariti ◽  
Dario Parlanti ◽  
Giovanna Giuliani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Key Species ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

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.

scholarly journals Genotype 1 of human parvovirus B19 in clinical cases

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Isabel de Oliveira ◽  
Ana Maria Sardinha Afonso ◽  
Suely Pires Curti ◽  
Patrícia Evelin Silva ◽  
Tamyris Fernanda Barbosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parvovirus B19 ◽  
Infectious Agent ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Human Parvovirus B19 ◽  
Genotype 1 ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Chronic Anemia ◽  
Virus Surveillance ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Summary Introduction: Virus surveillance strategies and genetic characterization of human parvovirus B19 (B19V) are important tools for regional and global control of viral outbreak. In São Paulo, Brazil, we performed a study of B19V by monitoring the spread of this virus, which is an infectious agent and could be mistakenly reported as a rash and other types of infection. Method: Serum samples were subjected to enzyme immunoassay, real time polymerase chain reaction, and sequencing. Results: From the 462 patients with suspected cases of exanthematic infections, the results of the 164 serum samples were positive for B19V immunoglobulin M. Among these cases, there were 38 patients with erythema infections and B19-associated with other infections such as encephalitis, hydrops fetalis, chronic anemia, hematological malignancies. These samples were sequenced and identified as genotype 1. Conclusion: This study showed patients with infections caused by B19V and sequencing genotype 1. Continuous monitoring is necessary to detect all known genotypes, and the emergence of new genotypes of these viruses for case management in public health control activities.

scholarly journals Characterization of Shedding Patterns of Porcine Circovirus Types 2a and 2b in Experimentally Inoculated Mature Boars

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 725-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darin M. Madson ◽  
Sheela Ramamoorthy ◽  
Chris Kuster ◽  
Narinder Pal ◽  
Xiang-Jin Meng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Morphology ◽  
Porcine Circovirus ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Swine Pathogen ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Swine Herds ◽  
Negative Controls ◽  
Group 1

Porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2) is an economically important swine pathogen and causes PCV-associated disease (PCVAD) in pigs worldwide. Currently, 2 genotypes of PCV-2, PCV-2a and −2b, are circulating in U.S. swine herds. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the amount of PCV-2 DNA present in semen over time, compare and correlate incidence and amount of PCV-2 present in semen samples to that present in serum samples and blood swabs, and determine if there are differences in shedding patterns between PCV-2a and −2b. Fifteen 7-month-old PCV-2-naïve Landrace boars ( Sus scrofa) were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups. The boars in group 1 ( n = 3) served as negative controls, and those in groups 2 ( n = 6) and 3 ( n = 6) were intranasally and intramuscularly inoculated with PCV-2a and −2b, respectively. Semen, serum, and blood swab samples were collected up to 90 days postinoculation (DPI), and necropsies were performed on DPI 23,48, and 90. Larger quantities of both PCV-2a and − 2b DNA were detected earlier in serum and blood swab samples than in raw semen of experimentally inoculated boars. The incidence and duration of presence of PCV-2 DNA in semen varied among boars; however, intermittent shedding was not observed. In all sex glands, PCV-2 DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction; however, PCV-2 antigen was not detected by immunohistochemistry, and PCV-2 had no effect on sperm morphology. Differences in shedding patterns between PCV-2a and −2b were not observed under the study conditions.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii indirect fluorescent antibodies in naturally- and experimentally-infected chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Thailand

2009 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamlang Chumpolbanchorn ◽  
Pacharaporn Anankeatikul ◽  
Wantanee Ratanasak ◽  
Jitbanjong Wiengcharoen ◽  
R. Andrew Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test ◽  
Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Gallus Domesticus ◽  
Indirect Fluorescent Antibody ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Public Health Risks ◽  
Potential Public Health

AbstractToxoplasma gondii infections in free-range (FR) chickens (Gallus domesticus) are potential public health risks. Antibodies for T. gondii were found in 194 out of 303 serum samples (64.03%) from FR chickens in Thailand tested by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT, 1:16). To verify the validity of serologic data in this survey, sera from chickens experimentally infected with the RH strain of T. gondii were tested by the IFAT. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected as early as 7 days p.i., peaked at 2 weeks, and then declined by 10 weeks p.i.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii antibodies on domiciled cats from Lages municipality, Santa Catarina State, Brazil

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 268-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana Dalla Rosa ◽  
Anderson Barbosa de Moura ◽  
Natascha Trevisani ◽  
Alessandra Pereira Medeiros ◽  
Amélia Aparecida Sartor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Santa Catarina ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Immunofluorescent Antibody ◽  
Indirect Immunofluorescent ◽  
Immunofluorescent Antibody Test

Sera were collected from 300 domiciled cats from the municipality of Lages, Southern Brazil, to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and risk factors associated. Tests for T. gondii antibodies were performed using indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Positive reactions with titers >1:64 were found in 43 (14.33%) cats. A significant number of seropositive cats were >6 month old (p = 0.03758) and had access to the streets or/and rural areas (p = 0.04185). The results indicate that T. gondii is widespread in cats in Lages with a prevalence of 14.33%.

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