Prevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in certified and non-certified pig breeding farms in the Toledo microregion, PR, Brazil

Toxoplasma gondii infection has been diagnosed in pigs all over the world. Economical losses are generally related to reproductive disorders. Toxoplasma infection is also a matter of public health because tissue cysts of the parasite may remain in pork and pork products, and become sources of human infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma infection in certified and non-certified pig breeding farms in the Toledo microregion, in the State of Paraná, Brazil which includes the cities of Toledo, Nova Santa Rosa, Sao José das Palmeiras and Sao Pedro do Iguaçu. Relative frequency of infection was 13.4%, independently of the type of farm. Logistic regression analysis showed that the following factors were associated with infection: absence of workers exclusive for each area of the farm, access of other animals to feeders and drinkers, lack of lids in drinkers, lack of rodent control measures, mean piglet number and weight at weaning per female.

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Risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in free-range chickens in the semiarid region of Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612017033 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 221-225 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Silvio Gomes de Sá ◽

Müller Ribeiro-Andrade ◽

Luana Thamires Rapôso Silva ◽

Orestes Luiz de Souza Neto ◽

Débora Costa Viegas Lima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Management Practices ◽

Fluorescent Antibody ◽

Antibody Test ◽

Human Infection ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Family Farms ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the frequency of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in serum from 629 chickens on 39 family farms in seven municipalities in the semiarid region, Pernambuco, Brazil, and to identify risk factors associated with T. gondii infection. The risk factors were studied in 421 samples from 29 farms. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were investigated by indirect fluorescent antibody test with a 1:16 cutoff. The frequency of positive chickens was 27.9% (176/629) and 94.8% of the farms studied had chickens infected by T. gondii. Multivariate analysis showed variables significantly associated with anti-T. gondii antibodies in serum: slaughter of animals on the farm, reproductive disorders in sheep, consumption of fetal adnexa and placentas by chickens, presence of sheep in the property and birth of sheep the property. The results suggest that there is a complex relationship between general management practices for different animal species raised on the same farm and the prevalence of T. gondii infection in chickens. In addition, the results draw attention to the risk of human infection by T. gondii via consumption of infected chicken meat, because the farming conditions and the low human development indices observed in the region studied result in inappropriate meat preparation practices.

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Cross-Sectional Survey on Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Cattle, Sheep, and Goats in Algeria: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors

Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.3390/vetsci6030063 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 63 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Abdallah ◽

Kamel ◽

Karima ◽

Samir ◽

Djamel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Herd Size ◽

Human Infection ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

A cross-sectional study aimed at assessing the seroprevalence and identifying the risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle, sheep, and goats in eight provinces located in two main Algerian agro-ecological zones was carried out from October 2015 to March 2018. Blood sera from 4074 animals of both sexes were tested for the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, using the indirect, enzyme-linked, immunosorbent assay technique (ELISA). Moreover, to identify the potential risk factors of T. gondii infection, a survey through a breeders’ questionnaires was conducted. Nearly one-fourth of the total number of animals tested (1024/4074)—i.e., 25.1%--were seropositive. The seroprevalence in cattle, sheep, and goats was 28.7%, 25.6%, and 11.9%, respectively. The area, sex, age, and herd size were identified as risk factors for T. gondii infection. Higher seropositivity rates were recorded in cows and goats (odds ratio (OR) = 1.63 and 6.4), in old animals (cattle, OR = 2.1; sheep, OR = 1.9; and goat, OR = 3.9), and in small size herds (cattle, OR = 2.5; sheep, OR = 1.9; goat, OR = 2.2). In conclusion, there is widespread T. gondii infection in cattle, sheep, and goats in these two strategic agricultural areas. The identification of the risk factors determines the type of measures and strategies to be undertaken to reduce, control, and prevent T. gondii infection in domestic animals, and thereby reduce human infection.

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Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in women from the North of Portugal in their childbearing years

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268811001658 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 140 (5) ◽

pp. 872-877 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

A. P. LOPES ◽

J. P. DUBEY ◽

O. MOUTINHO ◽

M. J. GARGATÉ ◽

A. VILARES ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽

Women Of Childbearing Age ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Pork Products ◽

The North ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

Ig G

SUMMARYSeroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors were investigated in 401 women of childbearing age from the North of Portugal. Of the 98 (24·4%) seropositive women, 92 (93·9%) only had immunoglobulin (Ig)G, two (2·0%) only had IgM, and four (4·1%) others had both IgG and IgM. Risk factors for T. gondii infection in women were: engaging in soil-related activities without gloves [odds ratio (OR) 8·4], consumption of unwashed raw vegetables or fruit (OR 7·6), and consumption of smoked or cured (non-cooked) processed pork products (OR 2·5). Most women of childbearing age from the North Portugal are susceptible to primary infection with T. gondii and, therefore, the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis remains high.

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Prevalence and risk factors associated to ovine toxoplasmosis in northeastern Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612013000200042 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 230-234 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Carlos Eduardo D'Alencar Mendonça ◽

Sílvia Letícia Bomfim Barros ◽

Vitor Andrade Accioly Guimarães ◽

Antonio Sergio Ferraudo ◽

Alexandre Dias Munhoz

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Fluorescent Antibody ◽

Antibody Test ◽

Control Measures ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Deep Well ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated to Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep from northeastern Brazil. A total of 932 ovine serum samples from 54 properties in 19 municipalities of the state of Sergipe were collected and assayed using indirect fluorescent antibody test. The assay used antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (IFAT-IgG) with a cutoff point of 1:64. We observed that 28.22% (263/932) of the ovine samples were serum-reactive. In a logistic regression, factors such as consumption of water directly from the source, consumption of water from a deep well, and age below 12 months were associated with protection; whereas factors such as presence of cats on the property, presence of slatted floor, and use of exchanged or borrowed breeding males were associated with infection. The studied area can be considered endemic for toxoplasmosis, so it is necessary to adopt preventive and control measures because this zoonotic infection poses risks to public health.

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Occurrence and risk factors associated with infection by Toxoplasma gondii in goats in the State of Alagoas, Brazil

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ◽

10.1590/s0037-86822011005000017 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 44 (2) ◽

pp. 157-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Giulliano Aires Anderlini ◽

Rinaldo Aparecido Mota ◽

Eduardo Bento Faria ◽

Erika Fernanda Torres Samico Fernandes Cavalcanti ◽

Rômulo Menna Barreto Valença ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Antibody Test ◽

The State ◽

Disease Occurrence ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽

Placental Remnants ◽

Breeding Farms ◽

Immunofluorescence Antibody Test ◽

Immunofluorescence Antibody

INTRODUCTION: Goats are considered very susceptible to infection by Toxoplasma gondii and when this occurs during pregnancy, it may cause fetal death with subsequent fetal resorption, abortion, mummification, stillborn or the birth of weak goats. The objective of this work was to determine the occurrence of and identify risk factors for T. gondii infection in goats in different mesoregions in the State of Alagoas. METHODS: The research was conducted on 24 goat breeding farms in 10 municipalities. A total of 454 blood samples were examined for anti-T. gondii antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. To evaluate the risk factors of toxoplasmosis in goats, questionnaires were applied analyzing the farm's production system and nutritional, reproductive and sanitary management. RESULTS: Disease occurrence was 39% with 95.8% of farms presenting seropositive animals. Significant associations were observed for mesoregion (OR = 0.23; 95%CI = 0.09 - 0.57), age (OR = 0.36; 95%CI = 0.20 - 0.64), semi-intensive herd management (OR = 8.70; 95%CI = 1.87 - 40.43), access of cats to water provided for goats (OR = 3.38; 95%CI = 1.89-6.02) and cats feeding on placental remnants (OR = 2.73; 95%CI = 1.38 - 5.40). CONCLUSIONS: Toxoplasma gondii infection is disseminated in the State of Alagoas and the adoption of a program that monitors infection foci is required to reduce the risk factors identified in the present study.

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Sero-epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii and risk factors among pregnant women in Africa

10.21203/rs.2.18914/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Debora Charles Kajeguka ◽

Motswedi Anderson ◽

Akili Mawazo ◽

Jacqueline James Mwakibinga ◽

Maseke Richard Mgabo

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Control Measures ◽

Health Concern ◽

Clinical Complications ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Abstract Introduction Infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii is a great public health concern worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women may result in abortion, stillbirth, or lifelong disabilities of the fetus. Serologic studies have reported various estimates for seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among African pregnant women. Estimation of the pooled seroprevalence of this infection is necessary for policy-making and target intervention. Methods We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A rigorous literature selection was performed by using the databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect for the period Jan 1, 2001, to July 31, 2019. Sero-prevalence with 95% CI was presented for each study, and point estimates and their 95% CIs of pooled seroprevalence was then calculated. Findings The search process resulted in the inclusion of a total of 36 studies in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in Africa was found to be 46.7% (95%CI: 37.0, 56.4). Geographical-based subgroup analysis showed that the seroprevalence of T. gondii among pregnant women was found to be 65.1% (95% CI: 44.7, 85.5), 50.2% (95% CI: 32.0, 68.3), 47.8% (95% CI: 31.7, 63.8), 38.3% (95% CI: 25.2, 51.4) and 5.8% (95% CI: 3.6, 8.1) in Central, Eastern, Northern, Western and Southern Africa respectively. The most common risk factors for T. gondii were living or contact with cat and consumption of raw vegetables or fruits. Conclusion The current systematic review and meta-analysis revealed a high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women. There is a need to establish prevention and control measures that should be directed to educational programs. We recommend that periodic screenings for Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women should be incorporated into routine clinical care in order to avoid serious clinical complications of mother and fetus.

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Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in domestic pigs raised from Cuba

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-021-07245-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julio César Castillo-Cuenca ◽

Álvaro Martínez-Moreno ◽

José Manuel Diaz-Cao ◽

Angel Entrena-García ◽

Jorge Fraga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Meat Products ◽

Control Measures ◽

Health Concern ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Weaning Pigs ◽

Associated Risk Factors

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.

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Presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in humans and their cats in the urban zone of Guadalajara

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ◽

10.1590/s0037-86821999000500003 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 483-488 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

María de la Luz Galván Ramírez ◽

Guillermo Sánchez Vargas ◽

Marcos Vielma Sandoval ◽

Juan Luis Soto Mancilla

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Toxoplasma Infection ◽

Urban Zone ◽

Lack Of Control ◽

Iga Antibodies

Cats are the definitive hosts of Toxoplasma gondii. Infected cats excrete oocysts in their feces, infecting humans and other animals. The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in cat owners and their pets, and determine if there was a relationship between Toxoplasma infection and humans who live with infected cats. IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in sera of 59 cat owners were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in 24 sera from their cats, IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies were found using Burney's ELISA. Thirty-eight (64%) of 59 cat owners were positive to IgG anti-Toxoplasma. Seropositivity for cats was 70.8% IgG, 8.3% IgM, and 62.5% IgA. Cohabitation with cats infected by T. gondii, feeding with leftovers or raw viscera, and lack of control over how their feces were handled are risk factors conducive for humans to become infected by T. gondii.

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