Risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and cattle from Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil

Abstract Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease of global distribution that affects all warm-blooded animals. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection and identify the risk factors associated with its occurrence in domestic ruminants raised on the island of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, and to confirm that cattle and sheep raised in Fernando de Noronha Island present statistically different T. gondii prevalence rates. Serum samples were collected from sheep (n=240) and cattle (n=140) for the detection of antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence. Samples were collected from all the animals on all the farms. Risk factors were analyzed by univariate analysis and logistic regression. The prevalence rate of positive sheep was 85.0% while that of cattle was 10.7%. A multivariate analysis revealed that the site of contact of sheep with felines was a risk factor. For cattle, the risk factors identified in this study were: extensive farming system, water source, more than three cats per farm, and the presence of rats in feed storage locations. The findings revealed a significant difference in the prevalence rates in sheep and cattle raised in this insular environment.

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence and correlates of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dairy cattle in northwest China

Acta Parasitologica ◽

10.1515/ap-2015-0087 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 60 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Qi-Dong Tan ◽

Xiao-Yu Yang ◽

Ming-Yang Yin ◽

Ling-Ying Hu ◽

Si-Yuan Qin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Northwest China ◽

Gansu Province ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Modified Agglutination Test ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

AbstractPrevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and risk factors with infection were assessed in dairy cattle from Gansu Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NXHAR), northwest China. In total, 1657 serum samples were collected and assayed by the modified agglutination test. The overall seroprevalence was 4.83% at a 1:100 cut-off, with titers of 1:100 in 72, 1:200 in 4, 1:400 in 4. Among the risk factors examined, no statistically significant difference was observed between T. gondii seroprevalence and regions or age of dairy cattle in the logistic regression analysis (P>0.05) and left out of the final model. However, numbers of pregnancies of dairy cattle was considered as main risk factor associated with T. gondii infection. Dairy cattle in nulliparity group (8.89%) had 6 times (OR=6.31, 95% CI, 2.69-14.83, P<0.001) higher risk of being seropositive compared to dairy cattle in 3 or above 3 pregnancies group (1.52%), followed by 1 pregnancy group (4.27%) had nearly 3 times (OR=2.89, 95% CI, 1.11-7.52, P = 0.03) higher risk of being seropositive compared to dairy cattle in 3 or above 3 pregnancies group, although no statistical difference was found between 2 pregnancies group and 3 or above 3 pregnancies group (P = 0.70). The results of this survey indicated the presence of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in Gansu Province and NXHAR, which enriches the epidemiological data of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in China, and is helpful to strengthen prevention and control of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in these two regions.

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans in East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268815001284 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 144 (1) ◽

pp. 64-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

B. TILAHUN ◽

Y. HAILU ◽

G. TILAHUN ◽

H. ASHENAFI ◽

M. VITALE ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Congenital Toxoplasmosis ◽

Water Source ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Recent Infection ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Status ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

SUMMARYA cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2013 to September 2013 to determine the seroprevalence and possible risk factors for human Toxplasma gondii infection in East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia. Serum samples were analysed using direct agglutination test, and immunosorbent agglutination assay for detecting IgG (n = 354) and IgM (n = 167) T. gondii antibodies. The T. gondii IgG and IgM seroprevalences were 65·8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 60·62–70·75] and 8·98% (95% CI 5·11–14·38), respectively. Gender difference in IgG seroprevalence was not significant (P > 0·05), but 69·5% of adults exhibited an IgG seroresponse to T. gondii. Pregnant women showed 76·4% and 9·3% seropositivity to IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified the risk factors significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity were district [odds ratio (OR) 2·24, 95% CI 1·25–4·01, P = 0·007], pipe water source (OR 6·70, 95% CI 2·70–16·64, P < 0·001), age, with adults (OR 4·32, 95% CI 1·91–9·75, P < 0·001), and keeping cats in the home (OR 2·01, 95% CI 1·11–3·65, P = 0·021). The high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in the human population in the study area and the corresponding level of IgM seropositivity may be indicative of reactivation or recent infection and further studies on the status of congenital toxoplasmosis in the study area merit consideration.

Download Full-text

Occurrence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats from micro-regions of the state of Piauí

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2018v39n6p2457 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (6) ◽

pp. 2457 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Karina Rodrigues dos Santos ◽

Jezlon Da Fonseca Lemos ◽

Carla Duque Lopes ◽

Richard Atila Sousa ◽

Marcelo Richelly Alves de Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Water Source ◽

The State ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in goats from micro-regions of the state of Piauí (Brazil). From six randomly selected properties, 145 goats were examined. Serum samples of the animals were analyzed by ELISA for the presence or absence of antibodies against T. gondii. Of these, 22% were seroreactive for T. gondii. Individual records were also taken for each property. These analyses showed that factors such as sex, age, water source, and presence of cats were associated with animal seropositivity. In addition, there was also a positive correlation (p > 0.04) between animal sex and T. gondii contamination. The presence of cats in the facilities and animal pasture fields appeared to be a risk factor for the contamination of goats in the assessed properties (p > 0.03). The parasite Toxoplasma gondii is present in the goat herds of southern Piauí state, and females are more likely to be contaminated.

Download Full-text

Sero-epidemiological survey of bluetongue disease in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan

Irish Veterinary Journal ◽

10.1186/s13620-021-00186-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 74 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Molhima M. Elmahi ◽

Mohammed O. Hussien ◽

Abdel Rahim E. Karrar ◽

Amira M. Elhassan ◽

Abdel Rahim M. El Hussein

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Animal Health ◽

Water Source ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Eastern Sudan

Abstract Background Bluetongue (BT) is a vector-borne viral disease of ruminant and camelid species which is transmitted by Culicoides spp. The causative agent of BT is bluetongue virus (BTV) that belongs to genus Orbivirus of the family Reoviridae. The clinical disease is seen mainly in sheep but mostly sub-clinical infections of BT are seen in cattle, goats and camelids. The clinical reaction of camels to infection is usually not apparent. The disease is notifiable to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), causing great economic losses due to decreased trade and high mortality and morbidity rates associated with bluetongue outbreaks. The objective of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of BTV in camels in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan and to identify the potential risk factors associated with the infection. A cross sectional study using a structured questionnaire survey was conducted during 2015–2016. A total of 210 serum samples were collected randomly from camels from 8 localities of Kassala State. The serum samples were screened for the presence of BTV specific immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Results Seropositivity to BTV IgG was detected in 165 of 210 camels’ sera accounting for a prevalence of 78.6%. Potential risk factors to BTV infection were associated with sex (OR = 0.061, p-value = 0.001) and seasonal river as water source for drinking (OR = 32.257, p-value = 0.0108). Conclusions Sex and seasonal river as water source for drinking were considered as potential risk factors for seropositivity to BTV in camels. The high prevalence of BTV in camels in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan, necessitates further epidemiological studies of BTV infection in camels and other ruminant species to better be able to control BT disease in this region.

Download Full-text

Prevalence and associated risk factors for bovine brucellosis in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2016v37n5supl2p3413 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (5Supl2) ◽

pp. 3413

Author(s):

Erivânia Camelo de Almeida ◽

Aderaldo Alexandrino Freitas ◽

Késia Alcântara Queiroz Pontual ◽

Marcília Maria Alves Souza ◽

Marcos Amaku ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Complement Fixation Test ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

The State ◽

Prevalence Rates ◽

Bovine Brucellosis ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

Positive Animal

This study was conducted to characterize the epidemiology of bovine brucellosis in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The state was divided into three regions, and in each region, approximately 300 properties were randomly sampled. From these selected properties, a pre-established number of animals were randomly selected and blood serum samples were obtained. A total of 3,901 animals were selected from 900 properties. For each selected property, an epidemiological questionnaire was administered to assess the type of farming, the animal husbandry practices and the sanitary practices that could be associated with the presence of brucellosis infection. The testing protocol consisted of screening the samples with a buffered acidified plate antigen test and retesting the positive samples with a complement fixation test (CF). One positive animal was enough to define an infected herd. The prevalence rates of infected herds and animals in the state were 4.5% [3.2; 6.4%] and 1.4% [0.7; 2.7%], respectively. By region, the prevalence rates of infected herds and animals, respectively, were as follows: Zona da Mata, 3.3% [1.8; 6.1%] and 1.7% [0.5; 3.0%]; Agreste, 7.4% [4.9; 10.9%] and 1.9% [0.8; 3.0%]; and Sertão, 1.3% [0.5; 3.5%] and 0.7% [0.0; 1.6%]. Flooded pastures (OR = 2.86 [1.37; 6.42]) and the presence of 13 or more females in the herd (3rd quartile) (OR = 2.65 [1.19; 5.89]) were identified as risk factors. The existence of veterinary care emerged as a protective factor against bovine brucellosis in the state of Pernambuco (OR = 0.24 [0.10; 0.58]).

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence of infectious bursal disease and its potential risk factors in backyard chicken production of Waliso district, South Western Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

Veterinary Integrative Sciences ◽

10.12982/vis.2022.009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 95-105

Author(s):

Chala Bedasa ◽

◽

Ararsa Duguma ◽

Asamenew Tesfaye ◽

Tadele Tolosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Animal Health ◽

Infectious Bursal Disease ◽

Flock Size ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Bursal Disease ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Backyard Chicken

A cross sectional study on infectious bursal disease was conducted in apparently healthy backyard chicken at Waliso district of Southwestern Shoa, central oromia, Ethiopia from from November, 2018 to October, 2019. A total of 282 chickens were randomly selected to estimate seroprevalence of IBD infection and to identify the likely potential risk factors for the disease. Serum samples collected and serological test conducted in laboratory at National Animal Health Diagnosis and Investigation Center Sebeta, Ethopia. Out of 282 serum samples tested 224 were positive for indirect ELISA technique and the overall seroprevalence of IBDV in the study area was found to be 79.43% at individual level. Educational level of owners, kebeles and flock size significantly affect seroprevalence of IBD in the study area. The effect of difference in managements like source of replacement, frequency of house cleaning, use of disinfectant and isolation practice has a significant effect on IBDV sero-prevalence. A lower seroprevalence of IBDV was reported in good hygienic level of house (26.7%) than poor level of chicken house hygiene (96.4%) with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The seroprevalence of IBDV in the present study associated with chicken management, flock size, owner education level and other animal related risk factors for occurrence of the disease. Therefore, awareness on chicken health management, and importance of immunization would help to minimize the prevalence of the disease and play crucial role in the control of the disease. Furthermore, characterizing virus strains circulating in the area in future study is recommended.

Download Full-text

Prevalence and associated factors for Pterygium in Han and Mongolian adults: across-sectional study in inner Mongolian, China

10.21203/rs.2.196/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Yuhan Wang ◽

Guangliang Shan ◽

Linyang Gan ◽

Yonggang Qian ◽

Ting Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Inner Mongolia ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Education Level ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background: To investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with pterygium in Han and Mongolian adults at four survey sites in Inner Mongolia, China. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted. Using a stratified sampling method, we eventually included 2,651 participants of at least30 years of age from a total of 3,468 eligible residents. Factors associated with pterygium were analysed using univariate analysis and logistic regression models. Results: There were 1,910 Han adults and 741 Mongolian adults included in this study. The mean± standard deviation of age for individuals in the study cohort was 48.93±11.06 years. The overall prevalence of pterygium was 6.4% (n=169), and the prevalences of bilateral and unilateral pterygium were 1.4% (n=38) and 4.8% (n=128), respectively. The most common grade of pterygium was Grade 2. After univariate analysis, eleven factors were considered in a multivariate analysis. The results indicated that age (P<0.001), education level (P<0.001), outdoor occupation (P=0.026), and time spent in rural areas (P<0.001) were significantly associated with pterygium, whereas gender and ethnicity were not risk factors. In subgroup analysis, BMI≥28 was a protective factor for Han individuals (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.21-0.81, P=0.01), but a risk factor for Mongolian individuals (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.02-5.58, P=0.044). The BF% in Han and Mongolian individuals had significant difference (P<0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicated that an outdoor occupation, old age and time spent in rural areas are risk factors for pterygium in Inner Mongolia. Living near an urban survey site (Hohhot and Tsining District) and having a higher education level are protective factors for pterygium. Ethnicity, gender, smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure are not associated with pterygium. Different dietary structures in Han and Mongolian adults may lead to different fat content of body and therefore contributes to the prevalence of pterygium. Keywords: Pterygium, prevalence, Han and Mongolian, risk factors, protective factors

Download Full-text

Frequency of antibodies and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in backyard pig production in the city of Mossoró, state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612019036 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 508-513 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Isabela Maria Campanelli dos Santos ◽

Alexandro Iris Leite ◽

Maria Eduarda Chiaradia Furquim ◽

Diego Carlos de Souza Zanatto ◽

Simone de Jesus Fernandes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Rio Grande ◽

Female Gender ◽

Immunofluorescence Assay ◽

P Value ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Igg Antibody ◽

Source Of Infection ◽

Antibody Titers ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

Abstract Toxoplasmosis is an important zoonosis for pregnant women and immunosuppressed people. The pig population also becomes infected by this pathogen, and undercooked or raw meat is an important source of infection for humans. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the rate of exposure of pigs to T. gondii in the municipality of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte and seek to identify associations with possible risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 412 pigs and were analyzed using the immunofluorescence assay. Among these 412 serum samples, 40.7% were seropositive for T. gondii. The IgG antibody titers were 64 (56 specimens), 128 (32), 256 (37), 512 (23), 1024 (14), 2048 (5) and 4046 (1). Seropositivity for T. gondii was found to be related (p-value < 0.05) to the following factors: female gender, semi-confined rearing system, use of well water, dewormed animals, presence of cats, goats, sheep, mice and vultures on the farm and carcasses left on the ground. In contrast, seropositivity was not related (p-value < 0.05) to the age of the pigs, type of facility or feeding with human food remains. Preventive measures need to be adopted on the farms studied here, with the aim of decreasing the animals’ intake of sporulated oocysts.

Download Full-text

Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and related risk factors in mammals at Sorocaba zoo, São Paulo, BrazilToxoplasma gondii antibodies and related risk factors in mammals at Sorocaba zoo, São Paulo, Brazil

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n4supl1p2845 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (4Supl1) ◽

pp. 2845

Author(s):

Renata Bezerra Marujo ◽

Helio Langoni ◽

Leila Sabrina Ullmann ◽

Maysa Pellizzaro ◽

Ramiro Das Neves Dias Neto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Feeding Habits ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

São Paulo ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Related Risk

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonosis with worldwide distribution and different wild species either are involved in maintenance of the pathogen in the environment as definitive or intermediate hosts serving as font of feeding or prey to definitive hosts. The present study aimed to investigate Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and the risk factors relating to infection in mammals at Sorocaba Zoo, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Serum samples collected from 153 animals were analyzed using the modified agglutination test (MAT; cutoff ? 25). Seropositivity was found in 62 animals (40.5%; 95% CI: 33.1-48.5%), with different titers. Significant differences were observed in relation to the ages of the animals, origin, presence of free-ranging animals in the enclosure and feeding habits, through univariate analysis (p ? 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only age (p = 0.03) had significance for the study. Adult animals were 3.5 more likely to become infected than were young ones. In relation to feeding habits, herbivores (80%) and carnivores (46.5%) were the animals most affected. These results highlight the presence of T. gondii in animals at Brazilian zoos, and suggest that continuous transmission is occurring at zoos.

Download Full-text

Retrospective analysis of LNM risk factors and the effect of chemotherapy in early colorectal cancer: A Chinese multicenter study

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-020-07363-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chunyan Zeng ◽

Dandan Xiong ◽

Fei Cheng ◽

Qingtian Luo ◽

Qiang Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Multicenter Study ◽

Tumor Size ◽

Lymphovascular Invasion ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Tumor Location ◽

Early Colorectal Cancer ◽

Depth Of Invasion ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background Estimating the risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is crucial for determining subsequent treatments following curative resection of early colorectal cancer (ECC). This multicenter study analyzed the risk factors of LNM and the effectiveness of postoperative chemotherapy in patients with ECC. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 473 patients with ECC who underwent general surgery in five hospitals between January 2007 and October 2018. The correlations between LNM and sex, age, tumor size, tumor location, endoscopic morphology, pathology, depth of invasion and tumor budding (TB) were directly estimated based on postoperative pathological analysis. We also observed the overall survival (OS) and recurrence in ECC patients with and without LNM after matching according to baseline measures. Results In total, 473 ECC patients were observed, 288 patients were enrolled, and 17 patients had LNM (5.90%). The univariate analysis revealed that tumor size, pathology, and lymphovascular invasion were associated with LNM in ECC (P = 0.026, 0.000, and 0.000, respectively), and the multivariate logistic regression confirmed that tumor size, pathology, and lymphovascular invasion were risk factors for LNM (P = 0.021, 0.023, and 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in OS and recurrence between the ECC patients with and without LNM after matching based on baseline measures (P = 0.158 and 0.346, respectively), and no significant difference was observed between chemotherapy and no chemotherapy in ECC patients without LNM after surgery (P = 0.729 and 0.052). Conclusion Tumor size, pathology, and lymphovascular invasion are risk factors for predicting LNM in ECC patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy could improve OS and recurrence in patients with LNM but not always in ECC patients without LNM.

Download Full-text