scholarly journals First record of Toxoplasma gondii in Chaetophractus villosus in Argentina

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta S. Kin ◽  
Marcelo Fort ◽  
Hugo D. Giménez ◽  
Emma B. Casanave

AbstractToxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite that causes abortion and reproductive disorder in domestic animals. T. gondii is a common worldwide disease in homeothermic animals, including birds and humans. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of antibodies against T. gondii in the armadillo Chaetophractus villosus in the province of La Pampa, Argentina. Serum samples were collected from 150 individuals (70 males and 80 females). For serological detection of T. gondii, a latex agglutination test was first performed and then positive sera were confirmed with an indirect hemagglutination test, using 1:4 to 1:64 dilutions. Results showed that 27% (41) of the samples presented titers for antibodies against T. gondii. There were not significant differences between the presence of antibodies against T. gondii and age or sexes of the armadillos. Results show that presence of T. gondii antibodies in armadillos were associated with presence of pigs, and sheep, however there was not association with chickens and dairy cattle in capture site. T. gondii has an important presence in C. villosus population, suggesting a potential zoonotic risk for humans and wildlife animals when C. villosus meats are consumed raw or undercooked. This is the first record of the presence of antibodies against T. gondii in C. villosus.

1997 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-154
Author(s):  
Y.I. YAMAMOTO ◽  
V. HUBER ◽  
S. HOSHINO-SHIMIZU

Crude Toxoplasma gondii antigens represent raw material used to prepare reagents to be employed in different serologic tests for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, including the IgM and IgG indirect hemagglutination (IgG-HA and IgM-HA) tests. So far, the actual antigenic molecules of the parasite involved in the interaction with agglutinating anti-T. gondii antibodies in these tests are unknown. The absorption process of serum samples from toxoplasmosis patients with the IgG-HA reagent (G-toxo-HA) demonstrated that red cells from this reagent were coated with T. gondii antigens with Mr of 39, 35, 30, 27, 22 and 14 kDa. The immune-absorption process with the IgM-HA reagent (M-toxo-HA), in turn, provided antibody eluates which recognized antigenic bands of the parasite corresponding to Mr of 54, 35 and 30 kDa, implying that these antigens are coating red cells from this reagent. The identification of most relevant antigens for each type of HA reagent seems to be useful for the inspection of the raw antigenic material, as well as of reagent batches routinely produced. Moreover the present findings can be used to modify these reagents in order to improve the performance of HA tests for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis


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.


Author(s):  
Shalangwa Ishaku Bata ◽  
Shalom Kumra Byencit

Background and Aim: Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of public health significance due to its possible transmission to humans through ingestion of tissue cysts in raw or undercooked meat or food or water contaminated with oocysts shed by felids and transplacental transmission. This study was carried out to provide information on the possible risk of transmission through eating undercooked donkey meat by conducting a market based cross-sectional study design to determine the presence of T. gondii antibodies in trade donkeys in Ganawuri district, Riyom Local Government Area, Plateau State, North Central, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirteen serum samples were collected from trade donkeys at the market and analyzed for T. gondii antibodies using latex agglutination test (LAT). Serum samples with LAT titer >10 μl/ml were considered positive. Results: The distribution of the donkeys based on their sources showed that greater proportions (61.1%) were from North Eastern part of the country. The study showed that 31 of the serum samples collected and analyzed were positive for T. gondii antibodies given an overall prevalence of 27.4%. The prevalence ranges between 22.2 and 33.3% across the states where the donkeys were sourced. The study showed that seropositivity increases with age (p=0.003; OR=11.8) and ranges between 12.5 and 47.2%. The prevalence did not vary significantly based on sex and source/location (p=0.494, OR=0.05; 0.920, 1.45, respectively). Conclusion: This study showed that trade donkeys at Ganawuri district market have antibodies to T. gondii and suggest a public health risk from the consumption of undercooked donkey meat.


2014 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethânia Ferreira Bastos ◽  
Beatriz Brener ◽  
Liza Gershony ◽  
Liliane Willi ◽  
Norma Labarthe ◽  
...  

Cats, as definitive host, play an important role in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii. This study aimed to establish the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii immunoglobulins G and M, and determine the frequency of oocysts in the feces of the domestic cat population in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We also aimed to study the association between T. gondii infection and age, sex, breed, lifestyle, diet and retroviral infection. A total of 108 cats were included in the study and fecal samples of 54 of those cats were obtained. Only 5.6% of the cats were seropositive for anti-T. gondii immunoglobulins using the indirect hemagglutination test. None of the 54 cats presented oocysts in their fecal samples. Although not statistically significant, males, mixed-breed, free-roaming and cats aged two years and older were found to be more exposed. Age, lifestyle and the use of litter boxes were found to play an important role as risk factors. Anemia and retroviral infections were independent of T. gondii infection. No antibodies were detected in the majority of cats (94.4%), indicating that those cats had never been exposed to the parasite and, therefore, once infected, they could present the risk of shedding large numbers of oocysts into the environment.


2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Costa da Silva ◽  
Gustavo Puglia Machado ◽  
Tatiane Morosini de Andrade Cruvinel ◽  
Ciro Alexandre Cruvinel ◽  
Helio Langoni

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite protozoan. A large percentage of animals presents specific antibodies caused by a previous exposition, resulting in a chronic infection. Felides are the definitive hosts and the other warm-blooded animals, including primates, are the intermediate hosts. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection in free-living tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella nigritus) from an ecological station located on Mata de Santa Teresa, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. T. gondii antibodies were analyzed by modified agglutination test (MAT) in serum samples of 36 tufted capuchin monkeys, considering eight as cut-off titer. From the studied animals, 3/36 (8.33%; CI95% 3.0-21.9%) presented T. gondii antibodies, all with titer 32. No significative difference was observed relating to the sex (1/3 male and 2/3 female), and to the age (1/3 young and 2/3 adult) (P>0.05). Thus, these results demonstrate the presence of T. gondii antibodies in primates from São Paulo state.


1978 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-165
Author(s):  
N E Cremer ◽  
M Hoffman ◽  
E H Lennette

Absorption of immunoglobulin M (IgM)-rheumatoid factor (RF) from serum samples by reaction with insolubilized gamma globulin reduced the complement-fixing (CF) antibody titer to cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen to less than 1:2 in the IgM fraction of some, but not all, sera. Thus, IgM-CF activity in some sera appeared to be due to specific IgM anti-CMV antibody and in other sera to complexes of IgM-RF with antiviral IgG antibody. Prozones were present in the CF tests on IgM fractions. Increasing the concentration of antigen from 2 to 4 U reduced the prozone titer by one or two double dilutions. This observation suggested that a competition for antigen may be operating at low dilutions of IgM antibody fractions. Removal of RF had little or no effect on the reaction of the IgM fraction of sera with CMV by the indirect hemagglutination test.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-131
Author(s):  
Mitra Sadat Deyhimi ◽  
Hossein Yousefidarani ◽  
Simindokht Soleimanifard

Background and aims: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite which has the potential to infect all warm-blooded animals. Sheep and cattle play a main role in the economy and their infection to T. gondii, besides economic losses, can cause the infection of humans through the consumption of raw meat and other products. In this study, we aimed to survey the prevalence of T. gondii in the livestock in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: A total of 384 samples including 144 sheep and 130 bovine serum samples from Isfahan and 50 sheep and 60 bovine serum samples from Kashan slaughterhouses were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibody using the indirect immunofluorescence method. Results: In general, the antibody was found in 27.31% of sheep and 22.63% of cattle at a dilution of ≥1:200. In detail, 26.15% of bovine and 26.17% of sheep serums from Isfahan and 15% of bovine and 22% of sheep serums from Kashan were seropositive. Conclusion: The study revealed that sheep and cattle can be a significant intermediate host for the spread of the disease in this region (Isfahan province) and the health and livestock authorities in the province should be given priority in improving animal welfare and nutrition.


Author(s):  
Kun Li ◽  
Rongrong Li ◽  
Jiakui Li

Present study was an epidemiological survey for seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in pet dogs (n= 279) in Wuhan, Huazhong area of China, using indirect hemagglutination test (IHA). Overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in this area was 13.3 per cent. The prevalence in males and females was 13.4 and 13.0%, there was no significant difference (P<sup>3</sup>0.05) between the genders. The prevalence of T. gondii infection was 12.7, 14.0, 13.3 and 12.7% in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. There was a significant difference (Ply affect community health in this region. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the prevalence of T. gondii infection in pet dogs in Wuhan.


2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 596-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Alaa Terkawi ◽  
Kyohko Kameyama ◽  
Nazim Hamza Rasul ◽  
Xuean Xuan ◽  
Yoshifumi Nishikawa

ABSTRACTDense granule antigen proteins derived fromToxoplasma gondii(TgGRAs) are potential antigens for the development of diagnostic tools. TgGRA7 and TgGRA14 were detected in the peritoneal fluid ofT. gondii-infected mice, suggesting that TgGRAs may be highly antigenic proteins. Here, TgGRA7 and TgGRA14 were evaluated as candidates for the development of a marker for a rapid diagnostic test. The specificity and sensitivity of purified recombinant proteins of TgGRA7 and TgGRA14 were compared in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) using a series of serum samples fromT. gondii-experimentally infected mice and using recombinantT. gondiimajor surface antigen 2 (TgSAG2) as a reference control. The iELISA with TgGRA7 showed the greatest diagnostic accuracy and could detect anti-TgGRA7 antibody in acute and chronic infections. A total of 59 field samples from pigs were also examined by the iELISAs, and the results compared with those of the latex agglutination test (LAT). Among the three recombinant antigens, TgGRA7 had the highest rates of positivity, with significant concordance (88.14) and kappa value (0.76) in comparison with the results using LAT. Furthermore, an immunochromatographic test (ICT) based on recombinant TgGRA7 was developed for rapid detection of antibodies to the infection. The ICT differentiated clearly between sera fromT. gondii-infected mice and uninfected orNeospora caninum-infected mice. Pig sera were examined with the ICT, and the results compared favorably with those of LAT and iELISA for TgGRA7, with kappa values of 0.66 and 0.70 to 0.79, respectively. These data suggest that the ICT based on TgGRA7 is a promising diagnostic tool for routine testing in the clinic and mass screening of samples in the field.


2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Mohammed

Toxoplasma gondii causes toxoplasmosis in human and animals, a disease of cosmopolitan character. A total of 65 serum samples of domestic chickens (Gallus domesticus) from Sulaimani region were collected from May till August 2012.The overall seropositivity against T. gondii antibody was 60% based on the Latex agglutination test (LAT). The positive agglutination titers were ranged between 1:2 -1:128, and the highest seropositive rate observed at a titer 1: 128 was 25.64% . The present study demonstrated that anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were high in chickens in this study.In histopathological examination of brain samples, tissue cysts were observed in 7 samples 33.33%. About the Giemsa stained impression tissue smears of liver, kidney and spleen of all seropositive chickens tissue cysts also observed at the rate of 38.46%, 20.51% and 12.82% respectively, the results indicate that T. gondii localized in the liver more often than in other tissues of naturally infected chickens.This is the first report of T. gondii infection in domestic chickens in Sulaimani province.


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