Prevalence of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in Domestic and Migrating Birds from Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsaneh Amouei ◽  
Mehdi Sharif ◽  
Seyed Abdollah Hosseini ◽  
Shahabeddin Sarvi ◽  
Azadeh Mizani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Mazandaran Province ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Northern Iran ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Migrating Birds

Toxoplasma gondii is widely prevalent in most warm-blooded animals worldwide. This protozoan is transmitted to intermediate hosts through a variety of modes. Humans are mainly infected by eating undercooked or raw meat of birds or livestock and eating food or drinking water contaminated with oocysts. Our aim was to assess T. gondii antibodies in birds. Samples were collected from 335 free-range birds and 50 migrating birds from September 2014 to December 2015. T. gondii antibodies were assayed using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Seroprevalence were verified in 51.4% of 385 birds (MAT titer ≥ 1:20 was seen in 51.3% and 52% of domestic and migrating birds, respectively). Statistically significant differences were not observed among species of birds. Free-range chickens of the central region showed a higher positive level than those of the other regions. However, the study results showed that more than half of the birds in this area are infected with T. gondii and therefore, could be considered as one of the most important hosts and a potential threat for consumers.

scholarly journals Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic and wild felids as public health concerns: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kareem Hatam-Nahavandi ◽  
Rafael Calero-Bernal ◽  
Mohammad Taghi Rahimi ◽  
Abdol Sattar Pagheh ◽  
Mehdi Zarean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
Wild Felids ◽  
Global Status ◽  
The One ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

AbstractFelidae as definitive hosts for Toxoplasma gondii play a major role in transmission to all warm-blooded animals trough oocysts dissemination. Therefore the current comprehensive study was performed to determine the global status of T. gondii infection in domestic and wild felids aiming to provide comprehensive data of interest for further intervention approaching the One Health perspective. Different databases were searched by utilizing particular key words for publications related to T. gondii infecting domestic and wild feline host species, worldwide, from 1970 to 2020. The review of 337 reports showed that the seroprevalence of T. gondii in domestic cats and wild felids was estimated in 37.5% (95% CI 34.7–40.3) (I2 = 98.3%, P < 0.001) and 64% (95% CI 60–67.9) (I2 = 88%, P < 0.0001), respectively. The global pooled prevalence of oocysts in the fecal examined specimens from domestic cats was estimated in 2.6% (95% CI 1.9–3.3) (I2 = 96.1%, P < 0.0001), and that in fecal samples from wild felids was estimated in 2.4% (95% CI 1.1–4.2) (I2 = 86.4%, P < 0.0001). In addition, from 13,252 examined soil samples in 14 reviewed studies, the pooled occurrence of T. gondii oocysts was determined in 16.2% (95% CI 7.66–27.03%). The observed high rates of anti-T. gondii antibodies seroprevalence levels and oocyst excretion frequency in the felids, along with soil (environmental) contamination with oocysts may constitute a potential threat to animal and public health, and data will result of interest in further prophylaxis programs.

Insights into the molecular basis of host behaviour manipulation by Toxoplasma gondii infection

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 563-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Mehdi Hammoudi ◽  
Dominique Soldati-Favre
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Host Behaviour ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Brain Homeostasis

Typically illustrating the ‘manipulation hypothesis’, Toxoplasma gondii is widely known to trigger sustainable behavioural changes during chronic infection of intermediate hosts to enhance transmission to its feline definitive hosts, ensuring survival and dissemination. During the chronic stage of infection in rodents, a variety of neurological dysfunctions have been unravelled and correlated with the loss of cat fear, among other phenotypic impacts. However, the underlying neurological alteration(s) driving these behavioural modifications is only partially understood, which makes it difficult to draw more than a correlation between T. gondii infection and changes in brain homeostasis. Moreover, it is barely known which among the brain regions governing fear and stress responses are preferentially affected during T. gondii infection. Studies aiming at an in-depth dissection of underlying molecular mechanisms occurring at the host and parasite levels will be discussed in this review. Addressing this reminiscent topic in the light of recent technical progress and new discoveries regarding fear response, olfaction and neuromodulator mechanisms could contribute to a better understanding of this complex host–parasite interaction.

scholarly journals Detection of Viable Toxoplasma gondii in Free-Range Pigs from the Special Nature Reserve of Zasavica

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Kuruca ◽  
Ivana Klun ◽  
Aleksandra Uzelac ◽  
Aleksandra Nikolić ◽  
Branko Bobić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Heart Tissue ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Serological Screening ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Successful Isolation ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Great Appreciation

SummaryToxoplasma gondii is considered one of the most successful parasites of humans and animals. The ingestion of viable cysts through the consumption of undercooked pork is recognized as a significant route of human infection with T. gondii. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of viable parasite in tissues of free-range pigs from the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve. All pigs were of the Mangulica breed, raised in a traditional way. The serological screening was performed using a modified agglutination test (MAT). The isolation of viable T. gondii was attempted by a bioassay of pig heart tissue in mice, while the real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeted at the 529 bp repetitive element of T. gondii was used to detect parasitic DNA in digested hearts. Specific antibodies were detected in 12 out of 18 pigs examined. The bioassay was performed for five MAT-positive and one MAT-negative pig, and a total of three isolates were obtained. qPCR was performed for all samples, including one MAT-negative sample that was not bioassayed. The presence of T. gondii DNA was confirmed in all hearts with a positive bioassay as well as in one originating from seropositive and one from seronegative pig whose hearts were not bioassayed. The successful isolation of viable cysts, presence of risk factors (such as older age at the time of slaughter) and increased contact with the environment, along with the great appreciation of Serbian consumers towards home-cured Mangulica’s meat, make this breed worthy of consideration as a potentially important reservoir of human infection.

Molecular and biological characterization ofToxoplasma gondiiisolates from free-range chickens from Guyana, South America, identified several unique and common parasite genotypes

Parasitology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 134 (11) ◽  
pp. 1559-1565 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. DUBEY ◽  
L. APPLEWHAITE ◽  
N. SUNDAR ◽  
G. V. VELMURUGAN ◽  
L. A. BANDINI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
South America ◽  
Rflp Markers ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Clonal Type ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Pcr Rflp ◽  
Free Ranging ◽  
Common Parasite

SUMMARYThe prevalence ofToxoplasma gondiiin free-ranging chickens (Gallus domesticus) is a good indicator of the prevalence ofT. gondiioocysts in the soil because chickens feed from the ground. The prevalence ofT. gondiiin 76 free-range chickens from Guyana, South America was determined. Antibodies toT. gondiiwere assayed by the modified agglutination test (MAT), and found in 50 (65·8%) of 76 chickens with titres of 1:5 in four, 1:10 in one, 1:20 in five, 1:40 in seven, 1:80 in six, 1:160 in eight, 1:320 in four, 1:640 or higher in 15. Hearts and brains of 26 chickens with titres of <1:5 were pooled in 5 batches and bioassayed in mice. Hearts and brains of 50 chickens with titres of 1:5 or higher were bioassayed in mice.Toxoplasma gondiiwas isolated by bioassay in mice from 35 chickens with MAT titres of 1:20 or higher. All mice inoculated with tissues of 30 infected chickens remained asymptomatic.Toxoplasma gondiiisolates from 35 chickens were genotyped using 11 PCR-RFLP markers including SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, a new SAG2, and Apico. A total of 9 genotypes were identified, with 5 genotypes (nos 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7) unique to Guyana, 2 genotypes (nos 2 and 3) previously identified in chickens from Brazil, 1 genotype (no. 8) previously identified in chickens from Brazil, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and 1 genotype (no. 9) belonging to the clonal type III lineage that exists globally. Infection with 2 genotypes was found from 1 chicken. This is the first report of genetic characterization ofT. gondiiisolates from any host from Guyana.

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.

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

2015 ◽  
Vol 60 (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.

A sero-epidemiological survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in free-range and caged chickens in northeast China

2008 ◽  
Vol 158 (4) ◽  
pp. 360-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jibao Zhu ◽  
Jigang Yin ◽  
Yue Xiao ◽  
Ning Jiang ◽  
Johan Ankarlev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

scholarly journals SURVEI SEROLOGIS TOXOPLASMOSIS PADA TERNAK SAPI DI KABUPATEN PRINGSEWU MENGGUNAKAN METODE TOXOPLASMA MODIFIED AGGLUTINATION TEST (To-MAT)

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 270
Author(s):  
Galang B. ◽  
Emantis R. ◽  
Gina Dania P. ◽  
Endah S.
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Agglutination Test ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Cattle Population ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

The cattle population in Lampung Province has a relatively high number when compared to several other provinces. Pringsewu is one of the districts in Lampung Province having the supplier potential of beef in Lampung. The higher the population and production, could cause a potential infection of toxoplasmosis to livestock and human. So far the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Pringsewu District. This study was conducted to determine the level of toxoplasmosis infection in cattle in Pringsewu district. This study used the To-MAT (Toxoplasma Modified Agglutination Test) method to test Toxoplasma gondii infection in blood of cows samples. The result of the study found that at a chronic level there were 23/24 cows positively infected with T.gondii. Whereas in acute level there are 8/24 cows positively infected with T. gondii. In general, the prevalence of toxoplasmosis is 95.8%. Keywords : Toxoplasmosis, Cow, To-MAT (Toxoplasma Modified Agglutination Test) method, Infection

scholarly journals Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic cattle, sheep, goats and pigs from São Tomé and Príncipe

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Cruz Pereira ◽  
Jitender Pradash Dubey ◽  
Alfredo da Mata ◽  
Helda Neto ◽  
Luís Cardoso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Central Area ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Modified Agglutination Test ◽  
Sao Tome And Principe ◽  
Zoonotic Parasite

Abstract Despite the global importance of the zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii, little is known regarding its infection in the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (DRSTP). This is the first report of antibodies to T. gondii in cattle, sheep, goats and pigs from the DRSTP. Antibodies were assessed by the modified agglutination test (MAT), with a cut-off titer of 100 for cattle and 20 for sheep, goats and pigs. The present study revealed an overall seroprevalence of 55.8%; 27.1% in 48 cattle, 68.4% in 98 sheep, 70.1% in 97 goats and 43.7% in 103 pigs. The south geographical area for cattle, the central area for sheep, and adult age and living in the central region for goats were found to be risk factors for seropositivity to T. gondii. These results support the scenario of a considerable presence of sporulated oocysts as well as of infected intermediate hosts in the local environment. Consumption of raw or undercooked meat should be considered as an important potential source of infection for animals and humans in the DRSTP.

scholarly journals No Evidence of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in Urban and Rural Squirrels in Southern Manitoba, Canada

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riikka P. Kinnunen ◽  
Chloé Schmidt ◽  
Adrián Hernándes-Ortiz ◽  
Colin J. Garroway
Keyword(s):  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Sciurus Carolinensis ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Important Intermediate ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection

ABSTRACTWhen wildlife colonizes cities, they can bring parasites that have implications for human health, yet knowledge underlying the ways host-pathogen interactions operate in cities is limited. The Coccidian parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect humans and cause health issues. T. gondii also has host species that occur at higher densities in cities than in natural environments, including squirrel species (Sciuridae). Cats and other Felidae are the only known definitive hosts of T. gondii. In urban and suburban areas squirrels regularly share their territories with domestic cats where they can encounter infectious oocysts shed in cat feces in contaminated soil or in the food they eat. We hypothesized that urban squirrels might thus be particularly susceptible to T. gondii infection compared to squirrels in more natural areas. We investigated this using molecular and serological methods on samples collected from four squirrel species in and around the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. We tested a total of 272 tissue samples from 46 squirrels for T. gondii DNA using quantitative PCR, and 15 serum samples from grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) for T. gondii antibodies (IgG) by indirect ELISA. We found no evidence of T. gondii infection in squirrels in southern Manitoba. This suggests that squirrels are not important intermediate hosts of T. gondii in cities and that the prevalence of T. gondii oocysts in the environment in Manitoba is likely low. Consequently, squirrel management to prevent infection to humans or their pet cats is not needed in urban areas with abundant squirrel populations.

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